Associate Principal

Associate Principal

Award-Winning 50-person distinguished architectural practice is actively seeking an Associate Principal to join their growing Walnut Creek studio. The firm possesses expertise in programming, planning, design, and management services, primarily catering to Educational Facilities for over three decades. With offices located in Orange County, San Diego, and East Bay, this firm boasts a wealth of professional knowledge, talent, and personalized commitment to their clients. The studios embrace hybrid work arrangements and prioritize the professional development and growth of their designers, architects, and managers.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of educational spaces while advancing your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the design process for educational projects, including K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities
• Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and team members to develop innovative design solutions that enhance learning outcomes
• Ensure design excellence and adherence to the company's high standards of quality and sustainability
• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a culture of creativity and professional growth
• Participate in business development activities, including client presentations and proposal preparation
• Coordinate with project managers and other disciplines to ensure integrated design solutions
• Stay current with emerging trends in educational design and sustainable practices
• Oversee design presentations and monitor project development to ensure consistent, high-quality design outcomes
• Lead and direct design teams while maintaining technical production standards across all projects
• Provide design direction for educational facilities, ensuring alignment with client needs and institutional culture
• Coordinate with engineers, consultants, and project stakeholders
• Monitor project timelines and budgets to deliver solutions on time

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture
• Licensed architect in California preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in architectural design, with a focus on K-12 educational facilities in California
• Proven track record of leading design teams, successful project delivery, client satisfaction, and delivering award-winning K-12 education projects
• Strong understanding of California's educational facility requirements and DSA processes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience with or interest in business development and client relationship management
• LEED accreditation preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing connections within the K-12 education sector in California
• Experience in a senior designer or principal role
• Familiarity with sustainable design practices and LEED certification

Key Competencies

• Exceptional design vision and ability to translate educational goals into innovative architectural solutions
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate design teams
• Collaborative approach to design, embracing the company's interactive workshop methodology
• Commitment to sustainable design principles and practices
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high-quality standards
• Passion for creating environments that support lifelong learning and student success

In this position, you'll have the opportunity to work on impactful educational projects, collaborate with a talented team, and contribute to shaping the future of learning environments. Join us in our mission to provide thoughtful, quality designs that facilitate student success and create environmentally sensitive settings for education.

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