Project Director Jobs at GHD with Visa Sponsorship
Project Director jobs at GHD sit at the intersection of technical delivery and client leadership, overseeing complex infrastructure and advisory engagements across sectors like water, energy, and transportation. GHD has a track record of sponsoring international professionals for senior project leadership positions where specialized expertise is the deciding factor.
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Get Access To All JobsGHD is growing!
Who are we looking for?
GHD’s US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Project Director- Architect who will play a key role in advancing the growth of our architecture practice across all building sectors, with a particular emphasis on Hospitality and Entertainment. This role will act as a true Seller-Doer, focused on both delivery as well as bringing in new work.
Based in our Tustin, CA office, this role blends high‑impact business development with hands-on project involvement—ideal for an entrepreneurial design professional who excels at cultivating clients, winning work, and leading delivery teams.
This is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and is energized by shaping the built environment across a diverse project portfolio.
Our Hybrid Work Model
Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.
Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:
Business Development & Market Leadership
- Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across all target markets—civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure‑related facilities—while strategically deepening GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
- Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
- Partner closely with the US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
- Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
- Represent the Architecture Design studio and the broader GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
- Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.
Project Leadership & Technical Delivery
- Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
- Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
- Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
- Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
- Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
- Key Account Management: Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
- Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
- Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
- Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
- Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
- Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.
Experience
- 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
- Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
- Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
- Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.
As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Salary Range: $126,000-$211,000.00 based on experience and location
GHD is growing!
Who are we looking for?
GHD’s US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Project Director- Architect who will play a key role in advancing the growth of our architecture practice across all building sectors, with a particular emphasis on Hospitality and Entertainment. This role will act as a true Seller-Doer, focused on both delivery as well as bringing in new work.
Based in our Tustin, CA office, this role blends high‑impact business development with hands-on project involvement—ideal for an entrepreneurial design professional who excels at cultivating clients, winning work, and leading delivery teams.
This is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and is energized by shaping the built environment across a diverse project portfolio.
Our Hybrid Work Model
Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.
Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:
Business Development & Market Leadership
- Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across all target markets—civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure‑related facilities—while strategically deepening GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
- Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
- Partner closely with the US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
- Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
- Represent the Architecture Design studio and the broader GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
- Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.
Project Leadership & Technical Delivery
- Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
- Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
- Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
- Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
- Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
- Key Account Management: Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
- Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
- Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
- Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
- Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
- Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.
Experience
- 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
- Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
- Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
- Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.
As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Salary Range: $126,000-$211,000.00 based on experience and location
Tips for Finding Project Director Jobs at GHD
Align your credentials to GHD's technical sectors
GHD hires Project Directors against specific sector verticals like water infrastructure, energy transition, and transportation. Frame your credentials around one of these verticals explicitly, not broad project management. A PMP alone won't differentiate you at the director level.
Target GHD's PERM-eligible roles strategically
For EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship, GHD must complete the PERM labor certification process before filing your immigrant petition. Confirm early in conversations whether the role has been designated as eligible, since not every Project Director opening qualifies from the outset.
Position OPT or TN status as a bridge solution
If you're on F-1 OPT or qualify for TN status, lead with that during the offer stage. GHD has sponsored both pathways for project leadership roles, and framing your current authorization as a low-friction starting point reduces the employer's perceived sponsorship risk.
Search GHD's open roles using Migrate Mate
GHD posts Project Director openings across multiple regions with different sponsorship designations. Use Migrate Mate to filter GHD's active listings by visa type so you're applying only to roles where sponsorship for your specific status is already confirmed.
Prepare a portfolio reflecting program-scale delivery
GHD's Project Directors typically manage multi-disciplinary teams across long-horizon infrastructure programs. Prepare a concise portfolio showing program-scale outcomes, budget responsibility, and cross-functional stakeholder management before outreach or interviews begin.
Clarify I-140 portability before accepting an offer
If you have an approved I-140 from a previous employer, USCIS allows you to port that priority date to a new petition at GHD provided you meet the 180-day portability threshold. Raise this with GHD's HR team before signing, so the new petition preserves your place in line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GHD sponsor H-1B visas for Project Directors?
GHD's primary sponsorship pathways for Project Directors are EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visas rather than H-1B visa. The H-1B is subject to an annual cap and lottery, which can create uncertainty for senior hires. GHD has more consistently used TN visa and F-1 OPT as nonimmigrant bridges while permanent residency sponsorship progresses through the PERM and I-140 process.
How do I apply for Project Director jobs at GHD?
Applications go through GHD's careers portal, but roles vary by region and sponsorship designation. The most efficient approach is to browse GHD's active Project Director openings on Migrate Mate, where listings are filtered by visa type so you can confirm sponsorship availability before applying. Tailor your application to GHD's specific sector verticals rather than submitting a generic project management resume.
Which visa types does GHD commonly use for Project Director roles?
GHD has sponsored Project Directors through F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN, and EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa pathways. TN status is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying professional categories. The EB-2 and EB-3 routes involve PERM labor certification filed with DOL, followed by an I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS, making them longer-term sponsorship commitments suited to permanent hires.
What qualifications does GHD expect for Project Director positions?
GHD's Project Director roles typically require a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related technical discipline, combined with substantial program management experience in infrastructure or advisory consulting. Sector-specific depth in water, energy, or transportation is a strong differentiator. Professional credentials like PE licensure or a PMP certification reinforce technical authority at the director level.
How do I time a sponsorship conversation with GHD during the hiring process?
Raise your visa status early, ideally in the initial recruiter screen, not after an offer is extended. GHD's HR teams need lead time to assess whether the specific role qualifies for PERM or an alternative pathway. If you're within 90 days of an OPT expiration, flag that timeline explicitly so GHD can initiate any necessary filings before your authorization lapses.