Studio Director | Design Director - Austin, Texas

Studio Director / Design Director
Full-time | In-house | Austin, TX

Moontower is hiring a new creative lead to guide our in-house architecture and interiors studio.

Are you a detail-oriented, design genius with strong organization, leadership, and people skills?
Do you love Austin's ever evolving neighborhoods?
Are you passionate about residential architectural history, modern design, natural building materials, and building science?

Then keep reading, you might be the next Moontower Design Director!

Moontower is an integrated design-build firm based in Austin, Texas, focused on high-performing, design-forward homes. For the past 15 years, we’ve built a reputation for architecture that’s inventive, resourceful, and crafted with care—executed by the same team that designs it.

We’re looking for a Studio Director (internally known as Design Director) to lead our growing design team and uphold the quality, clarity, and creativity that our clients expect from Moontower. This is a senior leadership role with deep influence on both our process and our product—but we’re equally open to candidates who want to focus on team leadership and creative mentorship rather than executive-level firm strategy.
 

What You’ll Do:

• Lead a tight-knit, high-output team of architectural and interior designers

• Oversee project schedules, quality control, client communication, and design-phase budgeting

• Own and evolve Moontower’s drawing standards, templates, and design process

• Guide feasibility, permitting, and construction documents across multiple projects

• Collaborate closely with our Build and Sales Directors to keep projects moving smoothly

• Support recruiting, training, and professional development of the design team

• Review and approve monthly design invoices, hours, and reimbursables

• Act as the design studio’s representative with clients, the build team, management, or with the press
   

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience leading or managing an architectural or integrated design studio

• Excellent communication and mentoring skills

• Strong residential design portfolio, ideally with custom or high-end work

• Familiarity with construction, detailing, and building science principles

• Working knowledge of ArchiCAD, Google Workspace, and interior fixture/specification workflows

• Licensed architect preferred

• A grounded, collaborative leadership style that balances vision with empathy

• Excellent candidates will have a track record of networking, business development, and community engagement

• Availability to start in the role by December 2025

Why This Role Matters:

At Moontower, we believe design excellence is inseparable from neighborhood stewardship, team camaraderie and clear process. You’ll be stepping into a system that works—and improving it with your perspective. You’ll have an incredible team behind you and 15 years of community reliability to carry us to new levels of design excellence.

You’ll collaborate closely with the CEO, Build Director, and Sales Director, but your day-to-day focus will be leading the design team, protecting the integrity of our product, and fostering a culture of clarity, creativity, and growth.
 

What We Provide:

• A strong operations backbone: project schedules, templates, and systems that support your work

• Exposure to high-quality clients and thoughtfully designed homes across Austin

• Financial support with continuing education requirements

• Salary range of $100,000 - $125,000, based on experience

• 20 days PTO, 11 paid holidays, and remote work on Mondays

• Eligibility for our 401(k) plan and group health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• A modern, creative studio environment in Central Austin

Interested?
We’d love to hear from you!
Please complete the application to start the process - extra consideration will be given for including a cover letter.
To learn more about us, check out our website or instagram.