Managing Principal - Building Structures

HNTB; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 180,596 - 360,607; Full time

Job summary

A leading architecture firm is seeking a Managing Principal in St. Louis, MO. This position requires a visionary leader with experience in business development and managing diverse teams. The role involves directing studio locations, leading project pursuits, and ensuring client satisfaction. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 15 years of experience. The firm offers competitive pay and is committed to mentorship and team development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing teams.
• Proven record of mentoring and developing senior technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise multiple studio locations within specialty markets.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain staff, including conducting performance reviews.
• Serve as primary client liaison to maintain key executive client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Business Development

Project Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field

Job description

What We’re Looking For

At HNTB, you have the opportunity to build a career that is not only meaningful to you, but transformative for the communities we serve. For more than a century, HNTB has delivered some of the nation’s most complex and impactful infrastructure projects – and with our historic growth across the country, this is a defining moment to help shape what comes next. As an employee‑owned firm, we empower leaders who want to build something lasting.

About the Role

This role is designed for a Managing Principal who is energized by growth, someone eager to expand the Building Structures practice into new markets, new clients, and new opportunities beyond our current footprint. You will lead a team of structural engineers responsible for the design, development, and delivery of structural solutions for sports, aviation, transit, and transportation infrastructure, while also serving as a catalyst for market expansion and business development.

The Managing Principal drives both practice performance and practice growth. This includes full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality, as well as ownership of the group’s financial health and alignment with office and division objectives. You will partner closely with leadership across the office and division to identify untapped markets, cultivate new client relationships, and apply HNTB’s strategic sales and planning approaches to win work where we are not yet established.

Beyond pursuit leadership, this position is about building capability – coordinating project priorities, staffing plans, and resource strategies to support growth at scale. You will develop and mentor high‑performing leaders, attract and retain top technical talent, and create an environment where teams can thrive while delivering exceptional client value. Managing Principals typically lead organizations of 25 people and often 40 or more through direct and indirect reports, making this a role with significant visibility, influence, and long‑term impact.

This is an opportunity for a leader who wants more than stewardship – someone ready to grow the business, shape the market, and leave a legacy.

What You’ll Do

• Direct and supervise multiple studio locations within specialty markets (Sports, Aviation, Transit, etc.).
• Lead project pursuits and be responsible for delivery priorities, staffing schedules, and staff assignments to ensure clients receive the best design capabilities to meet their needs.
• Implement and execute the firm’s processes throughout the project lifecycle such as the Sophisticated Sales Approach (SSA), Sophisticated Contracting Approach (SCA), Sophisticated Delivery Approach (SDA) and Sophisticated Approach to People (SAP).
• Manage group resources and be accountable for the group’s sales, contributions, and earning goals, growth and hiring targets, and the success of each studio within the scope.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain staff including performance and compensation reviews and succession planning.
• Partner with or act as Project Manager to ensure 4for4 delivery on every project – quality work, on time, on schedule, and to client satisfaction.
• Serve as primary client liaison in developing, marketing, and maintaining key executive client relationships in accordance with office strategic plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field and 15 years of relevant experience.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated leadership and business development skills.
• Ability to develop, grow and lead high‑performing teams.
• Strong organizational abilities and ability to establish delivery and quality control processes.
• Ability to successfully manage client relationships and deliver projects.
• Strong communication skills.

What We Prefer

• SE and/or PE (multi‑state licensure a plus).
• Strong record of mentoring and developing senior technical staff.
• Experience in complex and signature building structures projects, such as commercial, institutional, aviation, transit or public facilities.
• Proven ability to originate, pursue, and win work beyond an existing client base.
• Demonstrated success in business development and growing a building structures practice, including expansion into new markets and client sectors.
• Established relationships with architects, developers, owners and public agencies, with the ability to open doors and create new client partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale teams, including recruiting senior talent in competitive markets.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines (architecture, construction, transportation, aviation, etc.) to deliver quality solutions for clients.
• Experience working within a large, multi‑office AEC organization while maintaining an entrepreneurial growth‑oriented mindset.

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#ET

Locations: Bellevue, WA (Seattle); Des Moines, IA; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA (Figueroa Street); Oklahoma City, OK; Overland Park, KS (Sprint Parkway); St. Louis, MO.

The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $207,686.38 – $331,758.78. The approximate pay range for the Greater Seattle, WA Metro Area is $207,686.38 – $331,758.78. The approximate nationwide pay range for this position is $180,596.86 – $360,607.36. Compensation will be dependent on factors including individual qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical work location.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Architecture Group

ReqID: R-29870