Design Principal

Perkins&Will; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Perkins&Will Atlanta Studio seeks a Design Principal to shape the future of our practice through design leadership, client partnership, and business growth. The role collaborates with Managing Principal, Project Managers, and studio teams to drive design excellence and strengthen client relationships.

15+ years of experience and professional licensure are required, along with a strong portfolio and leadership capability to mentor teams and lead multidisciplinary design efforts.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of industry regulations, health/life safety requirements, and building codes.
• Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction.
• Strong design portfolio, ideally broad based in a range of project types.
• Strong project budgeting and contract negotiations skills.
• Strong working relationships with clients and consultants.
• Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring and coordinating successful project teams.
• Strong ideator and conceptual thinker.

Responsibilities

• Leads design teams in successfully delivering high-quality projects that meet all building standards and fulfill the firm’s Living Design framework.
• Represents the firm’s commitment to design, champions and executes design excellence with clients, projects, and teams in collaboration with the studio Design Director and Practice Leaders.
• Participates in project scope delineation, work plan creation, implementation, and fee negotiations on projects for which responsible.
• Participates in discussions with studio leadership regarding the composition and organization of the project teams for which responsible.
• Monitors overall quality of the project design process, product, and delivery.
• Monitors the performance and approach of project teams in collaboration with Design Directors to ensure that the firm’s standards and design goals are met at each stage of the project.
• Conducts regular quality control sessions with project teams.
• Coordinates and participates in internal peer workshops to ensure design goals and standards are met, presenting projects for which responsible and providing design input on other projects.
• Keeps abreast of current developments, trends, standards and practices within the firm and the industry.
• Partners with Design Director in interviewing prospective designers on an as-needed basis.
• Participates in design staff year-end reviews and mentors design staff.
• Participates in marketing, business development, and sales activities. Leads interview teams when appropriate.
• Participates in the identification and development of marketing material and other collateral associated with projects for which responsible.
• Participates in firmwide design leadership initiatives as appropriate.
• Supports design leadership by advancing the design culture of the firm at the local studio level, focusing on local DEI initiatives, career development, and talent advancement.
• Engages with professional organizations and academic institutions as appropriate.

Skills

Regulations & codes

Site analysis & design

Portfolio breadth

Budgeting & negotiations

Client relations

Team leadership

Conceptual thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design

Tools

Revit

Rhino

Grasshopper

Microsoft Office

Adobe Suite

Enscape

V-Ray

Job description

Perkins&Will Atlanta Studio is seeking a Design Principal to help shape the future of our practice through design leadership, client partnership, and business growth. In collaboration with the Managing Principal, Project Managers, and studio teams, this individual will drive design excellence, strengthen client relationships, and expand our portfolio and market presence. The Design Principal leads multidisciplinary teams in developing innovative design solutions that advance clients' goals, reflect their values, and support their culture. Guided by our commitment to Living Design, you will foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and innovation while leveraging local and firmwide expertise to deliver exceptional client outcomes, strong financial performance, and effective risk management.

Years of Experience

15+ years

Professional Licensure

Required

For full consideration, please include a portfolio with your resume, either as a link or a PDF of work samples. Applications without a portfolio may not be fully considered.

Responsibilities

• Leads design teams in successfully delivering high-quality projects that meet all building standards and fulfill the firm’s Living Design framework.
• Represents the firm’s commitment to design, champions and executes design excellence with clients, projects, and teams in collaboration with the studio Design Director and Practice Leaders.
• Participates in project scope delineation, work plan creation, implementation, and fee negotiations on projects for which responsible.
• Participates in discussions with studio leadership regarding the composition and organization of the project teams for which responsible.
• Monitors overall quality of the project design process, product, and delivery.
• Monitors the performance and approach of project teams in collaboration with Design Directors to ensure that the firm’s standards and design goals are met at each stage of the project.
• Conducts regular quality control sessions with project teams.
• Coordinates and participates in internal peer workshops to ensure design goals and standards are met, presenting projects for which responsible and providing design input on other projects.
• Keeps abreast of current developments, trends, standards and practices within the firm and the industry.
• Partners with Design Director in interviewing prospective designers on an as-needed basis.
• Participates in design staff year-end reviews and mentors design staff.
• Participates in marketing, business development, and sales activities. Leads interview teams when appropriate.
• Participates in the identification and development of marketing material and other collateral associated with projects for which responsible.
• Participates in firmwide design leadership initiatives as appropriate.
• Supports design leadership by advancing the design culture of the firm at the local studio level, focusing on local DEI initiatives, career development, and talent advancement.
• Engages with professional organizations and academic institutions as appropriate.

Proficiencies

• Knowledge of industry regulations, health/life safety requirements, and building codes
• Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction
• Strong design portfolio, ideally broad based in a range of project types
• Strong project budgeting and contract negotiations skills
• Strong working relationships with clients and consultants
• Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring and coordinating successful project teams
• Strong ideator and conceptual thinker

Software Skills

• Working knowledge of Revit. Working knowledge of conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office / Adobe Suite
• Working knowledge of visualization tools such as Enscape and VRay

Licensure/Certifications/Education

• LEED GA within 6 months of hire
• Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
• Architectural license, NCIDQ, LARE, or AICP as appropriate
• Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, or related discipline required.