Client/Studio Leader

Studio W Architects is seeking a highly talented individual to lead and grow Studio W Architects’ presence in educational, civic and commercial architecture in Southern California. This position will be responsible for leading its own respective clients and will report directly to the President/CEO. Applicant must have the mind of a creative strategist, the personality to network with prospective clients and significant experience in the design and project management of public and private facilities. The successful applicant must also possess proven relationship building skills and passion, along with the ability to visualize, communicate and deliver creative and functional design solutions, lead master planning and programming efforts and present designs to constituent groups and communities. This position will be based in our Newport Beach office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Project Management. Oversee the client design, schedule and budget objectives with the project design team to satisfy the client’s goals. Actively implement strategic initiatives to get each project funded, contracted and implemented. Delegate project management to a multitude of Studio W Project staff, consultants, contractors and other partners while still maintaining a strong client relationship. Ensure project progress to successful project delivery.
• Marketing & Sales. Collaborate with the marketing department to identify and respond to opportunities, coordinating with Studio W Architects’ President/CEO and marketing team as necessary. Help develop the strategy and draft responses to Requests for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Qs), as well as participate in the preparation of content for interviews and presentations.
• Business Development. Work with Studio W Architects’ President/CEO and Marketing & Business Development Director to develop relationships with key strategic clients in the K-12, charter school, community college, university, civic and commercial markets throughout Southern California. This includes participating in industry, market and client events.
• Staff/Office Management. Represent Studio W through management of staff and the physical office resource. Retain and mentor existing staff members, identify and recruit new staff members, maintain and expand corporate culture and manage the physical office environment given the overall strategies defined by Studio W’s President/CEO and COO.

Qualifications/Job Requirements

• Licensed/Certified Professional with 10+ years related experience in public and private educational, civic and/or commercial design, including Department of the State Architect (DSA) experience
• Experience in OPSC and State grant qualifications and funding
• Experience in gaining CDE approval
• Experience in master planning, programming, schematic design and feasibility studies to accurately identify project scope
• Experience in presenting to planning commissions, city councils, boards of education, community partners and various other stakeholder groups
• Knowledge of traditional project delivery, design-build and lease-leaseback delivery methods and related construction administration
• Proven ability to manage project schedules, budgets and scopes
• Proven ability to manage staff
• Keen understanding of contract deliverables in order to maintain firm-wide profitability

Skills & Traits

• A strong, likable presence with collaborative communication and adaptive leadership skills
• Key ties to the local communities through partnerships with relevant organizations and politics
• Positive attitude and ability to lead human resources and cultural building activities
• Ability to generate new business to meet Studio W’s objectives as defined by Studio W’s President/CEO
• Strong design skills utilizing software like SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop and InDesign
• Strong verbal and written skills for presentations and proposal development
• Fiscally responsible with a business savvy ability to meet profitability goals

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and, due to Studio W’s ongoing profitability success, competitive performance bonuses are offered. An additional profit share program may be offered upon a successful introductory period.

Studio W also offers an extensive benefits package for this position, including:

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Flexible spending account
• 401(K) including a company match
• Professional membership support and training opportunities
• Give-back program offering company contribution on employee behalf to qualifying non-profit organizations
• Quarterly morale and team building support

Studio W Architects is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At this time, Studio W Architects will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization. 

Contact

For more information or to submit a resume, please contact Brian P. Whitmore, AIA, LEED® AP, President & CEO, at 916.254.5602 or BrianW@StudioW-Architects.com. Studio W Architects does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiters or employment agencies.