Principal Architect Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

During a construction project, there are many different roles performed by many different professionals. Despite their differences in roles, each colleague has the same end goal in mind:  completing a successful construction project. We are looking for a principal architect with excellent communication skills who will be able to coordinate details with those whom they report to, as well as those they manage. You will oversee construction design and details as the project begins and progresses. We are looking for someone who is able to be aware of time and deadlines and who can keep others on track with those deadlines. You will be asked to develop budgets for those you manage and create policies to ensure builds are according to appropriate specifications, so attention to detail is necessary. We are looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of managerial experience.  

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Design and execute the strategic vision and plan for a firm’s direction and work output
• Develop and maintain client relationships
• Negotiate contracts
• Help establish, coordinate, and implement a firm’s objectives and goals
• Oversee and manage design and production work
• Collaborate with team members
• Oversee and mentor junior architects and construction engineers

Education and experience

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related field. Employers often prefer that candidates have a master’s degree, and five to 10 years of experience as an architect. Before practicing architecture in a jurisdiction, applicants must meet the requirements for licensure established by that jurisdiction.

Required skills and qualifications

• Experience with project management
• Ability to define agency goals, and develop and lead teams to meet them
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and all related drafting software
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving skills

Preferred qualifications

• 4+ years working as a principal architect
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Engineering or architectural degree

In this leadership role, you act as a figurehead for commercial clients in all senses: collaborate in project ideation, project review, align and define strategic pursuits based, mentoring, and client attraction and retention, as well as playing a role in defining and communicating the brand. Join an established and industry leader in architecture and design.

Ideal candidate attributes

• Leader in commercial architecture projects
• Business Development – track record of winning projects
• Highly organized, detail-driven, and conscientious
• Leadership quality and capability
• A proactive and positive attitude
• An outgoing personality with a team-focused approach

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture from an accredited school
• 10-15+ years of architecture experience, with recent commercial architecture experience
• Architectural Registration
• LEED accreditation and/or WELL accreditation are strongly preferred
• Experience working with firms for thoughtful design solutions to complex, larger-scale client requirements.
• Track record of winning work through in-depth knowledge of commercial building trends in the area
• Genuine business development acumen
• Knowledge of political, social, and economic factors affecting commercial building in the local market
• An established network of influences/industry professionals who rely on you as much as you rely on them for ideas and information
• Strong ability to think strategically
• Leadership, collaboration, and team-building skills
• Compelling personal presence with strong oral, written, and graphic communications skills

The primary responsibility of the Principal is for strategic vision, leadership, and inspiration for both the staff and for clients to ensure the annual plan is implemented. This individual will increase the awareness of firm’s architectural and engineering practice while contributing to the reputation of the firm

Qualifications:

• A Principal shall have a minimum of 10 years’ experience functioning as a lead on a variety of project scales and complexities.
• Have a proven track record of winning project pursuits and maintaining strong client relationships with a diverse portfolio of project types.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, along with leadership and mentoring skills.
• The ability to collaborate and integrate with existing team.

Responsibilities/Skills:

• To achieve success, the Principal will work directly with the business development group to develop relationships with target clients and pursue new relationships that fit within the strategic goals.
• Develop strategic sales goals and the plans to achieve those goals to meet the overall company goals for growth.
• Represent the company with direct client interaction and industry events.
• The pursuit of new work will be in a collaborative manner with in-house subject matter experts, technical leaders and national experts as required.
• This individual will oversee and direct the activities of personnel within the office including implementing annual plans, marketing strategies, public relations, financial planning and management, and other related matters.
• This position will be responsible for adherence to corporate policies, project contract financial fee and budget information in conjunction with Marketing and Project Management and establishment and/or maintenance of processes and procedures.

The Principal Architect has a high level of authority for the decision-making, staffing, and budget for their functional area of responsibility, subject to approval regarding the most significant business and policy issues by the Senior Management.

The candidate is considered an architectural expert and a current leader in their industry. The incumbent has decision-making authority over their functional area. Works within clearly defined policies, principles, and specific objectives in consultation with departmental management. Provides policy and procedural recommendations with final approval from the Senior Management. They have an advanced understanding of architecture to manage designs and guide team members.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the research, development, and design of architecture projects.
• Provides resource balancing for project needs and optimizing time amongst team members.
• Prepares section budget requests and reviews project documents such as specifications, technical reports, design drawings and calculations, and 3D models.
• Recommends acceptance/concurrence of consultant/contractor findings.
• Approves general personnel duties involving subordinate employees, including interviewing, recommending hiring, conducting job performance evaluations of work unit supervisors, and documenting and pursuing disciplinary action.
• Supervises and schedules training of employees to increase their level of technical expertise.
• Manages all phases of in-house architecture work, including setting work priorities and assigning and scheduling section personnel, including architects and field staff.
• Provides in-house estimates for work effort and fees on consultant/contractor design projects.
• Reviews proposals and scopes of work submitted by consultants, and contractors, monitors work and recommends consultant payments to project leadership.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Architecture degree.
• Masters preferred.
• Must have a minimum of seventeen (17) years of related experience
• Must have a minimum of ten (10) years in a management or supervisory role and/or project manager role in a large, multi-faceted organization.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Competencies

• Registered Architect (RA) required.
• Significant experience in tackling large-scale architectural issues for major construction projects or projects with highly complex systems is preferred.
• Substantial experience leading and managing designers, contractors, subcontractors, and/or vendors.
• Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders and drive project/program outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of the applicable industry codes and standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with stakeholders at all internal levels within the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Must have focus and ability to deliver on results, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Must be a proven leader as a change agent and creative/innovative thinker with the ability to align business goals with solutions to drive process improvements.
• Must possess excellent team building, listening, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.
• Alternate Delivery experience preferred.
• Proficiency in current design software and Microsoft Office are required.
• An attitude and commitment to actively participating in our employee culture is a must.
• Able to multi-task and be flexible/adapt to rapidly changing project requirements/timelines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight.