Civic Studio Leader

Grace Design Studios; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Profit sharing bonuses

401(k) plan with employer match

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Job summary

Grace Design Studios in Dallas, Texas, is seeking a Civic Studio Leader responsible for the success of our Civic and Municipal practice. In this strategic role, you'll lead operations, project delivery, and business development efforts, focusing on creating impactful public architecture. Candidates should have 10-15 years of experience, a degree in Architecture, and be a licensed Architect.

The position offers substantial benefits including health insurance, profit sharing, and a 401(k) plan. Join us in our mission to uplift communities through design.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of professional experience in Civic, Municipal, or Institutional projects.
• Proven success in team leadership, client management, and business development.
• Strong architectural skills in design, detailing, and construction administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Studio’s operations and performance.
• Guide projects from schematic design through construction administration.
• Develop and execute strategic business development plans.

Skills

Team leadership

Client management

Business development

Architectural design

Excellent communication

REVIT proficiency

3D modeling

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

Licensed Architect

Tools

REVIT

Bluebeam

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

Job description

Description

Grace Design Studios is a nationally recognized architecture and design firm with 24 offices across the country. Guided by our values—Do Good. Be Great— we design environments that enhance communities, inspire creativity, and deliver exceptional results for our clients. The Civic Studio Leader is a strategic, client-focused, and operational leader responsible for the success of Grace’s Civic and Municipal practice. This role is key to advancing our mission of creating thoughtful, impactful public architecture that serves people and strengthens communities. This role is available at any of our Texas locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Studio’s operations and performance, including project delivery, staffing, scheduling, and financial management.
• Guide projects from schematic design through construction administration, ensuring design excellence, technical accuracy, and compliance with all codes and regulations.
• Develop and execute strategic business development plans for the Civic and Municipal sectors, aligning studio goals with the firm’s overall growth objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact to ensure exceptional communication, service, and trust.
• Drive business development initiatives by identifying new opportunities, pursuing RFQs/RFPs, and collaborating on proposals, interviews, and marketing strategies.
• Represent Grace externally through participation in industry organizations, conferences, and community engagement activities to strengthen the firm’s presence in the civic design market.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to promote innovation, profitability, sustainability, and design excellence across all studios and disciplines.
• Mentor and develop staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth through leadership and feedback.
• Encourage cross-office collaboration, sharing knowledge and ensuring consistency in design quality, innovation, and technical standards firm-wide.
• Work with Practice and Office Leaders to establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and support staff development and retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• Licensed Architect required.
• 10–15 years of professional experience, including leadership in Civic, Municipal, or Institutional projects.
• Proven success in team leadership, client management, and business development.
• Strong architectural skills in design, detailing, and construction administration.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in REVIT, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling software, and MS Office.

Benefits

• Employer‑paid health insurance, effective the 1st of the month after date of hire
• Profit sharing bonuses
• 401(k) plan with an employer match
• Employer‑paid short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and life and AD&D insurance
• Other voluntary benefits including vision, dental, accident insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and supplemental life insurance are available
• Paid Time Off
• Holidays

Why Join Us?

At Grace Design Studios, we are more than architects—we are innovators, mentors, and collaborators committed to designing environments that uplift people and improve communities. As a Civic Studio Leader, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of your studio, expand the firm’s impact in the public sector, and grow your career within a supportive, forward‑thinking environment where leadership and creativity thrive.