Director of Architecture - Commercial

Bancroft Staffing Partners (BSP); Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range

Bonus opportunities

Benefits (medical, dental, vision)

401(k)

PTO

Hybrid schedule

Career advancement

Leadership impact

Professional development

Job summary

Bancroft Staffing Partners seeks a Director of Architecture to lead our Irvine studio. This hybrid, full-time role combines studio leadership with business development, overseeing 30+ professionals and expanding our Orange County footprint.

The ideal candidate is a Licensed Architect with a strong local network, proven BD success, and the ability to mentor teams, win new work, and build lasting client partnerships in a Commercial architecture environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional architecture experience with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Licensed Architect required; California licensure strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Architecture.

Responsibilities

• Studio Leadership: lead, mentor, develop, and retain a 30+ person architecture team.
• Business Development: drive new opportunities, secure projects, grow Orange County presence.
• Client Relationships: leverage network to develop partnerships and revenue.
• Studio Operations: manage staffing, project performance, profitability, and overall studio success.
• Project Excellence: oversee design quality, technical execution, QA/QC, schedules, and delivery.
• Strategic Growth: lead proposals, interviews, and pursuits with senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client relations

Studio management

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Architecture

Job description

Director of Architecture – Studio Leadership & Business Development

Sector: Commercial

Location(s): Irvine / Orange County, CA

Schedule: Hybrid | Full-Time

ABOUT US: BSP is partnered with a nationally recognized, award-winning architecture and design firm with a strong reputation for delivering innovative commercial, workplace, industrial, retail, S&T, healthcare, and specialized diverse projects. Our collaborative, growth-driven culture empowers talented professionals to lead exceptional teams, build meaningful client relationships, and make a lasting impact. We're seeking an entrepreneurial architecture leader to help drive the continued success of our Orange County studio, with significant leadership influence and a potential accelerated path to Principal/Ownership.

THE OPPORTUNITY: We are seeking an experienced Director of Architecture to lead and grow our Irvine studio. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity combining 50% Studio Leadership and 50% Business Development, with responsibility for overseeing a talented architecture team of 30+ professionals while expanding our presence throughout Irvine / Orange County. The ideal candidate is a Licensed Architect with a strong local network, proven business development success, and the ability to mentor teams, win new work, and build lasting client partnerships. Commercial architecture experience is strongly preferred, although exceptional leaders with diverse sector backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Studio Leadership: Lead, mentor, develop, and retain a team of 30+ architecture professionals while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.


• Business Development: Drive new business opportunities, secure projects, and expand client relationships throughout Orange County and Southern California.


• Client Relationships: Leverage an established professional network to develop strategic partnerships, strengthen existing accounts, and generate sustainable revenue.


• Studio Operations: Oversee staffing, project performance, resource allocation, profitability, and overall studio success.


• Project Excellence: Provide executive oversight of design quality, technical execution, QA/QC, schedules, and project delivery.


• Strategic Growth: Lead proposals, presentations, interviews, and pursuits while collaborating with senior leadership on long-term business development initiatives.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of professional architecture experience, including progressive leadership responsibilities.


• Licensed Architect required. California licensure strongly preferred.


• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Architecture.


• Proven experience leading, managing, and developing large architecture teams or studio operations.


• Established Orange County / Irvine professional network with strong client relationships and market knowledge.


• Demonstrated business development success, including winning projects, generating revenue, and expanding client accounts.


• Strong experience with proposals, project pursuits, client presentations, and relationship management.


• Commercial architecture experience highly preferred; additional experience in workplace, S&T, retail, industrial, ground-up, or renovation projects welcomed.


• Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and results-driven leadership style with excellent communication and people-management skills.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Base Salary: $150,000–$185,000+ annually (DOE), with flexibility for exceptional candidates.


• Performance Bonuses: Competitive leadership-level bonus opportunities.


• Full Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.


• 401(k): Retirement savings benefits.


• PTO: Competitive paid time off, vacation, holidays, and additional leave benefits.


• Hybrid Schedule: Flexible hybrid work arrangement.


• Career Advancement: Potential accelerated 2-year track to Principal / Ownership, based on performance and leadership progression.


• Leadership Impact: Significant autonomy, executive visibility, and influence over studio strategy, operations, and growth.


• Additional Perks: Professional development, leadership support, and long-term career growth opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Bancroft Staffing Partners is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity & are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees & candidates, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.