Architectural Studio Lead

Our Client is an award-winning, multinational integrated design firm with offices across the U.S. and overseas, designing and building a variety of world-class projects. The San Diego office is looking for a Studio Leader to join their team. From them:

STUDIO LEADER ROLE
The primary purpose of this position is Business Development; to win new work for the San Diego Studio, which is an integrated team of architectural, interiors, lab planning, and engineering professionals.

In collaboration with the Office Director, the Studio Leader establishes the general direction and strategy for Studio activities such as client targeting, business development, client relationship management, and advocacy for design excellence within the office. The Studio Leader consistently demonstrates a commitment to our core values – Creativity, Collaboration, Community, Integrity and the Environment.  These items create a culture for the studio that shapes it as a high-achieving, very market-competitive, and sustainable enterprise.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Studio Leader will consistently bring in work, begin and maintain client relationships and assist teams in profitably. Responsibilities include:

• Identification of target clients and development of a business development plan with the Office Director and Business Development professionals

• The marketing of our services by working closely with the Office Director, Business Development, Marketing and Design and Engineering Principals of the firm

• Development and management of Marketing, and Sales budgets

• Consistent participation and application in all Studio go/no-go evaluations

• Marketing Leadership via active participation in projects through all phases, from initial client contacts through marketing pursuits, sales efforts and contract negotiations

• Attendance and participation in firm-wide internal marketing meetings

• As team leader and client ambassador, the Studio Leader will often remain engaged in the project, participating in the project kick-off, feasibility studies, strategic planning, master planning, programming, conceptual studies, schematic, design, design development, construction documentation, bidding and award, construction administration, move-in, follow-up and on-going client relationship maintenance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and implements budget and strategic plan

• Provides leadership and management necessary for the continuing development and operation of the studio

• Responsible for making sure the studio goals are met

• Responsible for maintaining and enhancing reputation as a leading design firm

• Works closely with the Office Director and the Director of Operations to ensure that revenue targets are achieved and that services are effectively marketed

• Keeps management informed on studio issues

• Provides administrative and technical supervision to the architectural staff

• Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations of significant impact on the firm’s primary architectural activities, guidelines, quality control standards and details

• Involved with office-wide staffing and recruiting issues

• Coordinates project resource requirements

• Leads/coordinates communication efforts within assigned studio and between other studio leaders

• Reviews and coordinates work of Architects I, II, III, IV and Interns

• Responsible for staff assignments and discipline budgets

• Sets annual discipline goals, reviews performance, mentors and counsels staff

• Manages architecture discipline staff to include recruiting, dismissal and disciplining of staff, salary negotiation, and bonus recommendations, associate nominations and year-end and/or other distributions

• Visits construction sites to garner information, answer contractor questions and prepare punch list as owner’s representative

OPERATIONS
The Studio Leader also oversees the operational requirements and will:

• Take part in monthly Operations meetings

• Review budgeting and financial forecasting prepared by Project Managers to help create a viable Studio budget in concert with the Office budget

• Work with the Director of Operations and Office Director to ensure that revenue and project performance targets are achieved, and studio issues are addressed

• Coordinate communication efforts within assigned studio and between other studio leaders

• Provide input on hiring prospective employees, especially PM, Arch/Interiors/Engineering 3 and above

• Make recommendations and decisions in concert with the Office Leadership Committee of significant impact on the Office’s primary activities, strategic objectives, guidelines, quality, standards and principles

REPORTING
Direction and Supervision Received: from the Office Director
Direction and Supervision Exercised: Supervises, directs and mentors the staff in the studio

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE
The ideal candidate will, demonstrate proven leadership abilities and demonstrate proficiencies with professional and technical tools commonly utilized in this position while meeting minimum education and experience requirements

LEADERSHIP
The most important attribute for this position is the successful track record of winning work in several of the company project types.

Other attributes:  

• Ability to motivate & inspire.

• Develop and implement strategic objectives in concert with the corporate practice balanced scorecard and the office objectives.

• Demonstrate a high degree of self-management, self-awareness, social awareness and relationship management skills.

• Demonstrate effectiveness in working in a team setting, communicating with others, customer satisfaction, and technical competence.

• Involvement in civic and professional involvement aligned with the overall goals of Our Client.

• Ability to synthesize information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

• Equally balanced creative and analytic strengths

PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong writing skills for communication, project and design narratives

• Independent working capability in the Microsoft Office Suite of Programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook as fundamental professional tools required for Studio and Client communications

• Familiarity with the Adobe Suite of graphics and production programs in support of marketing and business development activities

• Minimum of entry-level proficiency with primary production platforms: AutoCAD, Revit to support work in support of projects and teamwork

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of a professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or equivalent combination of related experience and/or training

• A minimum of 15 years’ experience preferred and/or training (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in the AE Industry

• Established client relationships in the San Diego Region

• Project experience in Healthcare, Higher Education, Science & Technology, or Workplace preferred

• Professional registration as an architect, engineer or interior designer preferred

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
We offer competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package, including 401(k) and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, three weeks of paid time off within the first year of employment, with the option of purchasing additional time off, and eight paid holidays. We also offer an alternative work schedule that provides employees with an additional fifteen days off per year (usually Fridays) to help with work/life balance.