Managing Principal

Job Description

Job Description

Managing Principal - Education Architecture | Austin, TX

Step into a pivotal leadership role where your expertise in client engagement, business development, and design excellence will help shape the future of education environments. As Managing Principal, you will serve as a senior leader responsible for deepening client relationships, driving strategic growth, and ensuring exceptional project outcomes across a portfolio centered on education architecture. This opportunity is based in Austin and is ideal for a seasoned architectural leader who brings strong market credibility, sound operational judgment, and a passion for creating meaningful spaces for learning.

This Managing Principal role combines executive leadership, client stewardship, financial oversight, and architectural quality. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, support project teams in delivering high-quality work, and help expand the firm's presence in the education sector. For an accomplished Managing Principal looking to make a lasting impact in Austin, this is a rare opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen partnerships, and lead education-focused growth.

Why You Should Apply to be the Managing Principal

• Lead in a high-impact Managing Principal role with a strong focus on education architecture and long-term client partnerships.
• Shape the future of K-12 and higher education projects in Austin and across Texas.
• Drive business development and strategic growth within a respected, design-focused architecture practice.
• Influence project quality, client satisfaction, and financial performance at a leadership level.
• Work in a collaborative environment that values innovation, learning, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Be part of a hybrid workplace with meaningful in-person collaboration and market visibility.
• Help deliver inspiring educational spaces that support connection, growth, and human-centered design.

What You'll Be Doing as the Managing Principal

• Serve as the senior client executive for assigned education clients, acting as the primary relationship lead throughout all phases of engagement.
• Build and sustain long-term client relationships rooted in trust, transparency, responsiveness, and exceptional service.
• Lead business development efforts focused on education projects, including prospect prioritization, client acquisition, and strategic account growth.
• Oversee proposals, contracts, negotiations, interviews, planning sessions, and visioning conversations tied to education opportunities.
• Align client goals with architectural solutions that support student success, educator needs, and meaningful learning experiences.
• Champion high standards of design quality, innovation, and project delivery across education assignments.
• Support project management teams by overseeing project-level performance and helping ensure operational excellence.
• Partner with internal discipline leaders to identify staffing resources needed to secure and deliver education work successfully.
• Monitor client-level financial performance, including invoicing accuracy, profitability, and resource alignment.
• Measure success through client satisfaction, repeat business, program share, and strategic growth within the education sector.
• Represent the practice at conferences, public events, award submissions, and leadership forums tied to architecture and education.
• Identify and mitigate risks at both the client and project levels while promoting consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across offices and teams so education clients benefit from the full depth of the firm's expertise.

What We're Looking For

• Professional degree in Architecture required.
• Licensed or Registered Architect required.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in the architecture industry.
• Demonstrated success in senior-level client leadership, business development, and project oversight.
• Strong background in education architecture, including experience with K-12, higher education, or other learning environment project types.
• Proven ability to lead complex client relationships and serve as the primary escalation point when challenges arise.
• Track record of delivering high-quality architectural solutions and strong client outcomes in the education market.
• Passion for innovative design, continuous improvement, and creating impactful spaces for learning.
• General knowledge of Revit preferred.
• Interest in generative design and emerging technologies within the architecture industry.
• ERP knowledge preferred, or a strong systems-oriented mindset.
• High integrity, accountability, executive presence, and excellent communication skills.

Work Environment and Location

This role is based in Austin, Texas, with an expectation to work from the local office three days per week in a hybrid environment. Travel to studio locations and client sites across the state is part of this leadership position.

About the Opportunity

This opportunity is with an established Texas architecture practice known for designing thoughtful, high-impact environments for education clients. The firm has built a strong reputation for creating spaces that reflect the goals and aspirations of the people who use them, with a particular emphasis on learning environments that foster creativity, connection, and growth.

Its culture is shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and intentional design. Teams are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and pursue innovative ideas that improve project outcomes. For a senior architectural leader seeking a Managing Principal opportunity in Austin, this role offers the chance to lead education-focused client relationships, drive strategic expansion, and elevate design excellence in one of the region's most important sectors.

If you're an experienced Managing Principal with deep education project expertise and strong market leadership in Austin, this role offers a compelling next step.