Studio Director

About the Organization

The organization is a well-established architecture and design firm focused on delivering innovative, functional, and sustainable solutions across a diverse range of projects. The team brings together expertise in architectural design, planning, project development, and client collaboration. With a strong focus on design quality, creativity, and community impact, the organization works to create thoughtful spaces that meet both practical and aesthetic requirements.

Position Overview

The Studio Director is a key leadership position responsible for leading a studio and overseeing 3+ management teams and approximately 10–15 employees .

The Studio Director will oversee approximately $3M in annual studio fees and may manage 3–5 projects with combined net fees of approximately $1M–$1.5M annually .

The role will be responsible for:

• Studio leadership and operations
• Multifamily project oversight
• Business development and client relationships
• Project quality and delivery
• Team development and staffing
• Financial forecasting and budgeting
• Studio profitability and utilization
• Contract, proposal, scope, and fee management

General Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited Architecture or Interior Design program
• 20+ years of professional experience
• 10+ years of management/leadership experience
• Licensed to practice Architecture in California or the applicable state
• Recent Multifamily Architecture experience — MANDATORY
• Proven Studio/Design Leadership experience
• Strong multitasking, delegation, and decision-making abilities
• Positive and collaborative leadership approach

Professional Skills

Candidates should demonstrate strong experience with:

• Multifamily architectural design and planning
• Architectural design and planning principles
• Construction documents
• Building materials and construction techniques
• Project costs, budgets, and financial management
• Architectural contracts, proposals, and negotiations
• Construction administration
• Building and planning codes
• Representing clients before public agencies
• Coordination with applicable engineering disciplines
• Legal and professional liability considerations

Studio Director Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple project teams simultaneously
• Oversee studio milestones, staffing, budgets, profitability, and financial forecasts
• Delegate Project Management and Project Architecture responsibilities
• Serve as Senior Project Manager when required
• Mentor and develop management and intermediate-level staff
• Lead weekly studio scheduling and staffing meetings
• Review project fees, budgets, staffing allocations, and schedules
• Meet regularly with the COO regarding studio staffing and financial performance
• Maintain strong studio utilization, targeting 85%+ when sufficient backlog is available

Business Development & Client Management

• Participate in presentations and interviews with prospective clients
• Develop new business opportunities
• Contribute to sales and marketing initiatives
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Serve as an executive-level client contact
• Review and negotiate proposals, contracts, scope, and fees
• Support project quality, fee management, and collections
• Attend business development events and represent the firm professionally

Leadership & Team Development

• Determine project staffing requirements
• Participate in interviewing and hiring recommendations
• Provide promotion recommendations
• Mentor and develop team members
• Support conflict resolution and organizational policies
• Assist with establishing and implementing studio and firm policies and procedures

Communication & Professional Expectations

• Represent the firm at meetings, presentations, and public hearings
• Maintain high standards for written communication and project documentation
• Maintain professional presentation and conduct
• Community and professional organization involvement is desirable but not required