Principal - Architecture, Higher-Education

OVERVIEW :

Our client is a nationally recognized architecture, planning, and design firm with a distinguished portfolio in higher education. With offices nationwide, the firm brings multi-market expertise and resources while maintaining an entrepreneurial, collaborative studio culture.

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Known for design excellence and strategic problem-solving, their work emphasizes sustainable, community-focused solutions that respond to each project's unique context. The firm's higher education portfolio includes award-winning work for major university systems, providing a strong foundation for expanding their Texas presence. The firm's culture prioritizes open collaboration, diverse perspectives, and shared leadership. They value talented professionals who bring both design excellence and authentic client relationships, fostering an environment where business development, design quality, and team development are equally important.

THE OPPORTUNITY :

Our client seeks a Principal to lead business development, client relationships, and design excellence for their Austin office. The ideal candidate has deep Texas higher education connections and can drive revenue growth while maintaining the firm's high standards for design quality and collaborative culture.

This is a unique opportunity to join an established office with existing market credibility and multi-office firm resources while having significant autonomy to shape and grow the Texas higher education practice. The Principal will balance business development with design leadership and project delivery, with minimal operational responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Business Development Leadership

• Lead pursuit strategy for higher education projects across Texas, with primary focus on university systems (UT, Texas A&M, regional universities, community colleges)
• Build and maintain relationships with university leadership, facility planning directors, and decision-makers throughout Texas
• Represent the firm at industry conferences, association events, and strategic networking opportunities including SCUP, AIA CAE, and Texas university facility planning conferences
• Generate immediate revenue impact by leveraging existing Texas higher education relationships and pursuing new opportunities

Design Leadership & Project Delivery

Market Leadership

QUALIFICATIONS :

Required Experience & Credentials

Texas Higher Education Market Expertise

Business Development & Design Excellence

Leadership & Cultural fit

This position provides a pathway to partnership based on performance, with the unique advantage of joining an established office that has existing client relationships and market credibility. The role offers significant autonomy to drive business development and design direction while leveraging multi-office firm resources, focusing on what matters most, winning work and delivering design excellence rather than operational management. Compensation includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience, performance bonus structure tied to business development success, partnership track with profit sharing and equity participation, and comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plan with firm contribution, and professional development support. The firm's collaborative, non-bureaucratic culture provides opportunities to work alongside nationally recognized design leaders in an environment that values diverse perspectives and supports long-term professional growth.

The Texas higher education market presents significant growth opportunities with multiple university systems maintaining ongoing capital needs despite a competitive landscape. The firm's strong higher education portfolio, combined with the right leader's Texas relationships and design capabilities, creates a differentiated competitive position that can win work against established Texas competitors. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to step into established leadership with client relationships and firm resources as a foundation, while having the autonomy to shape strategy and build on that foundation for long-term success.