Design Principal - HMC Architects

Who We Are

HMC Architects is an employee-owned design firm with an inherent desire to make a difference in our communities. As a purpose-driven brand based on values, our mission to design for good drives everything we do. And our ownership culture creates alignment and increased commitment to that mission, keeping us on track to being successful.

What We Do

Founded with the purpose of anticipating community needs, HMC aims to create designs that have a positive impact, now and into the future. We focus primarily on opportunities to have the most direct contribution to communities–through healthcare, education, and civic spaces.

Summary

The Design Principal is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the design process and output of the practice/office/studio they reside in. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the design process of all projects in the studio and/or project that they lead. This includes ensuring that the design intent is carried through all phases of the project, and that coordination of design resources and best practices are enlisted throughout our work. This role will work with practice, office and studio leaders to assign appropriate staff for design efforts. This position helps maintain budgets, schedules, and monitor adherence of terms of contract expectations in regard to design and will have responsibility for client contact and authority to direct, control, and monitor all project activities related to design. This position is considered part of studio leadership and thus responsible for overall design quality, project delivery, project profitability, business development, and staff development/ mentoring within the studio.

This position is located in Sacramento, California. The position requires 3 days in the office and the ability to work from home Mondays and Fridays.

Position Responsibilities

Business Development/Client Engagement

• Procure and manage an average of $1M of gross project revenue per year and achieve a minimum of $500K in new contracts through existing clients\repeat work or new business development activities.
• Participate in the outreach to existing clients to understand needs on additional work for current or future projects.
• Demonstrate and maintain strong client relationships.
• Take immediate action to partner with project PIC’s to address any client issues.
• Speak at client, industry, and public event forums concerning design.
• Assist with the writing and development of project marketing interview materials.
• Participate in project marketing interviews.
• Attend conferences, events, and other networking opportunities to represent HMC Design in the industry and in the community.
• Develop a network of current and past clients and industry partners.
• Acquire work, or help to acquire work, that is in line with HMC practice and studio goals.
• Responsible for becoming a known presence in community and/or specific HMC markets segment.
• Write articles for professional publications about the architecture industry.

Leadership

• Demonstrate and promote the values and culture of HMC; serve as an HMC advocate, internally and externally; be a source of inspiration and encouragement to staff, with a positive attitude and genuine care for the firm, staff, community and clients.
• Participate with other firm leadership in developing/refining HMC’s design goals and philosophy.
• Ensure that project design supports firm's design goals.
• Drive accountability across the studio on adherence to HMC technical protocols and standards.
• Supervise and manage multiple clients and project at once through all phases of projects.
• Direct and coordinate project work with team members and consultants.
• Ensure that coaching, mentoring, and performance-enhancing feedback of assigned team members are provided, particularly related to our design principles and technical proficiency.
• Monitor employee performance and take appropriate action to provide feedback on both positive and negative performance.
• Establish productive working relationships, and deal effectively and cooperatively with practice and design leadership, clients, team members, consultants, and government agencies.
• Give assignments to office support staff, consultants, and vendors clearly, effectively, and professionally.
• Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions considering design intent; include appropriate people in decision-making process; make timely decisions.
• Resolve issues related to team members and consultants.
• Collaborate with other studio leaders to ensure studio leadership is unified and supportive of each other; work with non-studio leadership as needed on firmwide initiatives
• Listen and communicate effectively and professionally in a wide variety of settings inside and outside the firm.
• Assure consistency and integration of design resources on project teams from pursuit through completion.
• Set goals, prioritize, and plan work activities for self-management and use time efficiently.

Design/Technical

• Direct, coordinate, and lead the Schematic and Design Development efforts of all sized projects.
• Work to ensure the design integrity of all projects through the Design Development, Construction Document, and Construction Phases.
• Demonstrate broad creativity in architectural design and design excellence in all that we do.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate use of building systems, materials, and technologies.
• Show initiative in the research of alternative systems and materials.
• Direct the documentation of project design, such as three-dimensional CAD modeling, physical models, and product or material research in collaboration with the project team.
• Direct and coordinate the preparation of various Design Communication and Presentation materials including: sketches, rendered 2D & 3D drawings, rendered perspectives, slide shows and material selection boards in collaboration with the project team.
• Lead office design charettes, team design critiques and pin-ups.
• Provide a positive design leadership example to project teams and to the studio and office.
• Maintain proficiency with the best software and multimedia programs used to design, document and present our design solutions to clients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the applicable building codes for use in design.
• Review cost models, cost plans, and cost estimates and conduct value analysis in design.
• Ensure that design, materials and systems meet HMC and client standards and are within budget.
• Oversee and resolve design issues during construction phase of all work under their supervision.
• Have working knowledge and follows HMC procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Direct or establish standards for the documentation of the design process.
• Understands all aspects of the design process and HMC design deliverables.
• Ensure that the design documents meet the client standards and all HMC protocols.
• Write training material for staff development related to design.

Position Requirements

• Architectural degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in design, leading production and coordination of documents in all phases of architectural practice and in managing the design of various scaled projects.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working on either healthcare, education, or civic projects with deep technical expertise and knowledge of DSA, HCAI or other regulatory requirements.
• Minimum of 2 years’ as a senior leader, leading project teams and clients through the design process and technical elements of architectural projects.
• Must be a licensed architect, preferably in the state where practicing.
• Must be on-site in an HMC studio to lead staff a minimum of 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs).

The salary range for this position is $121,582 - $181,923

The actual offered salary for this position will vary depending on multiple factors including the candidate’s qualification, education, position knowledge, work experience, skills, ability, work location, and internal incumbent compensation for similar roles. We do not anticipate individuals hired into this position will start at or near the top half of the range listed; the decision will be based on each individual case. The salary range listed above does not include other compensation elements such as discretionary bonus opportunities, employee stock ownership grants, paid time off, medical insurance, and other wage and benefit opportunities.