Health Principal

HDR, Inc.; Sydney; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Health Principal to lead HDR's Health Practice across Australia from Sydney. You will drive growth, build major client relationships, and shape the future of healthcare design with evidence-based approaches.

This senior role requires leadership of multidisciplinary teams, strategic partnerships, and active industry engagement. Based in Australia’s NSW, you’ll influence planning, governance and project delivery while mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading healthcare architecture projects in Australia.
• Proven ability to grow client relationships and win work.
• Strong knowledge of Australian healthcare planning guidelines and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams and major pursuits.
• Professional architectural qualifications with registration or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic growth of HDR's Health Practice across Australia.
• Identify opportunities, partnerships, and sector growth plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare clients and authorities.
• Lead executive project leadership on major healthcare projects.
• Mentor healthcare leaders and support recruitment and development.
• Represent HDR at industry forums and contribute thought leadership.

Skills

Healthcare planning

Client relationships

Stakeholder engagement

Multidisciplinary leadership

Healthcare design standards

Regulatory framework knowledge

Architectural qualifications

Registered Architect

Evidence-based design

Education

Architectural qualifications

Registered Architect accreditation

Job description

Health Principal, Australian Architecture Practice

Complex Challenges. Extraordinary Outcomes.

At HDR, we design with purpose, transforming complex challenges into extraordinary places that inspire, connect and endure. As a 100% employee-owned practice, our people don't just contribute to projects, they take ownership of them.

We're seeking an established healthcare sector leader to join HDR's Australian Architecture Practice as Health Principal.

Ranked No. 1 in Healthcare in the 2024 Modern Healthcare Construction & Design Survey, HDR offers the opportunity to be part of a globally connected healthcare network shaping the future of healthcare design in Australia. You will draw on international best practice and innovative thinking, bringing global perspectives to the local market while helping drive the growth of HDR's Health practice, strengthening client relationships and delivering projects that improve health outcomes and strengthen communities.

Places That Heal, Connect & Endure

At HDR, we're driven by the impact of good design on healthcare outcomes, designing with empathy to create places of healing and hope. We create robust, enduring environments that promote wellbeing, connection and inclusion while responding to the rapidly evolving future of healthcare delivery.

In This Role You Will

Lead the Growth of HDR's Health Practice

• Drive the strategic growth of HDR's healthcare architecture business across Australia.
• Develop and implement sector growth strategies aligned with HDR's broader business objectives.
• Identify emerging market opportunities, industry trends and strategic partnerships.
• Enhance HDR's profile as a leader in healthcare planning and design.

Build Strong Client Relationships

• Establish and strengthen relationships with healthcare clients, government agencies, health authorities and industry stakeholders.
• Lead client engagement and business development activities across Australia.
• Position HDR for high-value and strategically significant healthcare opportunities.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and industry partners.
• Provide executive project leadership on major healthcare projects.
• Support project teams in delivering exceptional design, planning and client outcomes.
• Participate in key project phases including strategic planning, briefing, design and stakeholder engagement.
• Champion quality, innovation and evidence-based healthcare design.

Develop People and Culture

• Mentor and develop current and future healthcare leaders, fostering a high-performing and engaged Health practice through talent development, succession planning and employee retention.
• Support strategic recruitment, workforce planning and succession initiatives.
• Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional growth across the practice.
• Champion HDR's employee-owned culture and values.

Strengthen HDR's Industry Presence

• Represent HDR at industry forums, conferences and professional associations.
• Contribute thought leadership through presentations, publications and industry engagement.
• Promote innovation and best practice in healthcare planning and design.
• Help elevate HDR's reputation across the Australian healthcare sector.

What You’ll Bring

• Deep experience within Australia's healthcare planning, design or project delivery sector.
• Demonstrated success growing client relationships, winning work and developing strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of healthcare facility planning, operational requirements and emerging models of care.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, major pursuits and complex healthcare projects.
• Knowledge of Australian healthcare planning guidelines, standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, leadership and communication skills.
• Architectural, healthcare planning or related professional qualifications.
• Registered Architect or equivalent professional accreditation highly regarded.
• Passion for design excellence, innovation and evidence-based healthcare design.

Why Join HDR?

• Employee-owned business. Share in the success you help create.
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of HDR's Health sector in Australia.
• Access to one of the world's leading healthcare design networks.
• Collaborate with local and global healthcare specialists, planners and designers.
• Lead projects that improve lives, strengthen communities and create lasting impact.
• Join a culture built on ownership, care, curiosity and collaboration.

At HDR, you're not just part of the team. You're part of the business. #LI-CG3

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

HDR is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified and/or experienced candidates, regardless of gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or religious and political beliefs. This includes encouragement for veterans.

HDR acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and communities live and work. As part of our commitment to reconciliation and diversity, we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply. Join us in making a meaningful impact and contributing to an inclusive community.

Primary Location

Australia-NSW-Sydney

Other Locations

Australia-QLD-Brisbane, Australia-VIC-Melbourne

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Health ARC

Job Posting

Sep 15, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Aff...

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.