Principal Architect

DMC Recruitment; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado-based architecture practice is seeking a Principal Architect to lead strategy, growth, and design excellence across resort, hospitality, and destination-community projects in Colorado and beyond.

The role requires a licensed architect with 12+ years of progressive leadership, strong client development, and a track record of managing complex, environmentally sensitive work.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture (accredited).
• Licensed Architect (AIA preferred), Colorado-registered or eligible.
• 12+ years of progressive experience with senior leadership responsibilities.
• Proven leadership on resort/hospitality, mountain, environmentally sensitive, or destination-community projects.
• Strong track record in client development and securing/expanding work.
• Solid command of contracts, financials, delivery, codes/entitlements, and construction.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and growth across resort, hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily, and destination-community projects.
• Own client relationships and guide projects from vision through construction.
• Provide senior design leadership balancing creativity with budget, schedule, constructability, and sustainability.
• Coordinate with architecture, master planning, landscape, and interiors teams to create cohesive destinations.
• Mentor future leaders and develop architects within a collaborative studio culture.
• Provide executive-level oversight of scope, risk, profitability, and quality.

Skills

Leadership

Client development

Communication

Budget & contracts

Education

Professional degree in Architecture (accredited)

Job description

PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT

COLORADO

Compensation: $150,000-$180,000 + Performance Bonus

Join an established, multidisciplinary architecture & design firm known for award-winning resorts, hospitality destinations, residential communities, and recreation-focused environments-grounded in landscape, culture, and a true sense of place. This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position and help shape both the design direction and business growth of the practice.

What You'll Do

• Lead strategy + growth: Build and expand a pipeline across resort, hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily, and destination-community work.
• Own client relationships: Act as trusted advisor for key accounts; guide projects from vision through construction.
• Drive design excellence: Provide senior design leadership on complex, context-sensitive projects-balancing creativity with budget, schedule, constructability, and sustainability.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams: Partner with architecture, master planning, landscape architecture, and interiors to create cohesive, memorable destinations.
• Mentor future leaders: Lead, coach, and develop architects in a collaborative studio culture.
• Oversee project performance: Support teams with executive-level oversight around scope, risk, profitability, and quality.

What We're Looking For

• Professional degree in Architecture (accredited)
• Licensed Architect (AIA preferred), ideally Colorado-registered or eligible
• 12+ years of progressive experience with senior leadership responsibilities
• Proven leadership on resort/hospitality, mountain, environmentally sensitive, or destination-community projects
• Strong track record in client development and securing/expanding work
• Solid command of contracts, financials, delivery, codes/entitlements, and construction
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

Why You'll Love This Role

• Take real ownership of strategy, client pursuits, and design leadership in a respected international practice
• Work in a culture built on collaboration, contextual design, and exceptional quality
• Create destinations that feel authentic to Colorado's—and the world's—landscape