Higher Education Studio Leader

SmithGroup; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Hybrid work

PTO 3 weeks

8 holidays + 15 Fridays off

Medical/Dental/Vision

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

SmithGroup Houston seeks a Higher Education Studio Leader to drive growth, manage the studio, and deliver design excellence across higher education projects. You will lead teams from marketing pursuits through construction administration, ensuring client satisfaction and financial performance.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years in AE, a professional degree, licensure, and LEED AP; travel 25-35% is expected.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering or equivalent.
• 15+ years of AE industry experience preferred or equivalent.
• Registration/licensure in the relevant field; LEED AP preferred.
• Proven leadership, client satisfaction and technical competence.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking for growth.
• Ability to travel 25-35%.

Responsibilities

• Grow practice market share and net revenue by winning work.
• Provide leadership for the studio and manage project delivery.
• Maintain relationships with past clients and develop new ones.
• Coordinate with regional leaders on budgets, revenue and targets.
• Lead recruiting, coaching and career development of staff.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Team collaboration

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Professional degree in Architecture/Engineering/Interior Design

Tools

LEED AP

Job description

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top‑ranked culture while pioneering award‑winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

The Houston office of SmithGroup is looking for a Higher Education Studio Leader to join our team.

Working with us, you will:

• Be responsible for growing practice market share and net revenue by winning work and assisting teams in profitably delivering design excellence and client satisfaction.
• Provide leadership and management necessary for the development and growth of the studio consistent with SmithGroup's strategic themes of growing the firm, building expertise, and designing holistically.
• Maintain relationships with past clients and develop relationships with current/new clients.
• Work with the Regional Director and the Regional Practice Director to ensure that marketing & sales budgets, revenue, and project performance targets are achieved and that studio issues are addressed.
• Work closely with practice leadership, Business Development, and Marketing to strategically grow the studio aligned with practice goals; effectively represent our services; and contribute to thought leadership initiatives including national practice forums and presentations at regional and national conferences.
• Provide leadership and be actively involved in projects through all phases, from initial client contacts through marketing pursuits, sales efforts, contract negotiations, project kick‑off, feasibility studies, strategic planning, master planning, programming, conceptual studies, schematic, design, design development, construction documentation, bidding and award, construction administration, move‑in, follow‑up, and on‑going client relationship maintenance.
• Work with discipline leaders and staff assuring the technical, administrative, and schedule targets are met.
• Develop and implement strategic objectives in concert with the practice and regional objectives.
• Consistently exhibit and demonstrate a commitment to SmithGroup core values - passion, sustainability, equity, community, curiosity, and integrity.
• Make authoritative decisions and recommendations in concert with the regional leadership that may impact primary activities, strategic objectives, guidelines, quality, standards, and principles of the region and firm as a whole.
• Lead/coordinate communication efforts within assigned studio and between other studio leaders.
• Participate in recruiting, coaching, and career development of staff.

An ideal candidate has:

• A professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or equivalent combination of related experience and/or training.
• 15+ years related experience preferred and/or training (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in the AE Industry.
• Registration or licensure in relevant field; LEED AP preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness and a strong commitment to working in a team setting, delivering high client satisfaction and technical competence.
• Strong leadership skills in the areas of business development; professional and civic involvement.
• Strong business acumen and critical thinking skills in the pursuit of the work.
• The ability to take responsibility and ownership to meet standards, budgets, schedules, and deadlines.
• A high degree of self‑awareness, self‑management, social awareness, and relationship management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel 25-35%.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one‑on‑one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $145,000 to $170,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance‑based bonus each year. To be considered for this role, please create a profile and apply!

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].