Director of Architecture

Rrm-Design-Group; San Juan Capistrano (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

RRM Design Group seeks an experienced Director of Architecture to lead the growth of our architectural practice in California. This role focuses on building relationships, expanding opportunities, and guiding a multidisciplinary team across residential, commercial, and civic projects.

The ideal candidate has California licensure and 15+ years of architectural experience, with a proven ability to win new business, mentor staff, and collaborate with clients and partners to deliver exceptional

Qualifications

• California Licensed Architect credential required.
• 15+ years of architectural experience.
• Proven ability to grow business and client relationships.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligning with firm strategy.
• Develop and execute growth strategies for the architectural practice.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, districts, and developers.
• Lead presentations, interviews, and pursuit strategies for new projects.
• Represent the firm at industry events and conferences.
• Mentor architectural staff and foster a collaborative culture.
• Provide strategic leadership throughout project pursuits and execution.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to identify emerging markets.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Mentoring teams

Client relationships

Public speaking

Education

California Licensed Architect

Job description

Description

Shape the Future. Build Lasting Relationships. Grow a Market.

RRM Design Group is seeking an experienced Director of Architecture to lead the growth of our architectural practice. This is an exceptional opportunity for a relationship-driven leader who is passionate about business development, mentoring teams, and helping shape the future of a multidisciplinary design firm.

As a Director of Architecture, you will serve as a market leader and trusted advisor to clients while working alongside architects, planners, engineers, and landscape architects to deliver meaningful projects throughout California. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, identifying new opportunities, and growing both people and business.

If you're looking for an opportunity where your ideas matter, your relationships are valued, and your leadership directly influences the firm's success, we'd love to meet you.

Our Architecture Practice: Architecture at RRM is the art of the possible and delivery of the exceptional with equal parts client service, design, and creative problem solving. Whether your project is residential, commercial, public safety, education or institutional, our designs are beautiful, authentic, and functional, which transform client dreams into spectacular places.

If you’re eager to thrive in a vibrant, fast-paced setting and make a difference with your skills, we want to hear from you!

Your role looks like:

• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities that align with the firm's strategic goals.
• Developing and executing strategies to grow RRM's architectural practice.
• Building and maintaining long-term relationships with clients, school districts, municipalities, developers, and industry partners.
• Leading presentations, interviews, and pursuit strategies for new projects.
• Representing RRM at industry events, conferences, and networking functions.
• Mentoring and developing architectural staff while fostering a collaborative and positive team culture.
• Providing strategic leadership throughout project pursuits and execution.
• Work closely with firm leadership to identify emerging markets and growth opportunities.

Requirements

What You Bring to the table:

• California Licensed Architect
• 15+ years of architectural experience.
• Demonstrated success developing business and growing client relationships.
• Strong network within the AEC industry.
• Experience leading client pursuits, presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to mentor teams and inspire collaboration.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for creating great places and building lasting partnerships.

What Makes You Successful

You are someone who:

• Naturally builds trust with clients and colleagues.
• Enjoys networking and creating new business opportunities.
• Think strategically while remaining hands-on.
• Leads with integrity and collaboration.
• Motivates and develops high-performing teams.
• Sees challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Is excited to help shape the future of an employee-owned firm.

Above & Beyond:

Some work experience in architecture, engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, or planning firm

ABOUT US:

Ensuring the health and happiness of our RRMers is paramount to how we run our business. RRM Design Group is a 100% employee-owned multidiscipline design firm with a full spectrum of services including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, civil and structural engineering, and surveying. Our offices are located along the California coast from Orange County to the Bay Area. Over one-third of our workforce has been with us for a decade or more and we work on engaging projects in several diverse markets throughout the state.

We value the diversity of intersecting identities and strive to maintain an environment that is equitable, respectful, and inclusive. We expect our work environments to be places of diverse engagement and informed discourse. Ultimately, we acknowledge that our standards of excellence as a multidiscipline design firm are not separate from the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.