Sector Leader - Mission Critical

Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED); San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) seeks a Sector Leader for Mission Critical, focused on data center projects. You will guide technical and design efforts, mentor teams, and shape pursuit strategies while maintaining client relationships and sector growth.

A senior architect/engineer with 15+ years’ experience is preferred. The role embraces a hybrid work model, involves direct client engagement, and requires professional licensure and strong business acumen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering is required.
• Professional licensure or board approved certification is required.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience with at least 5 years in Data Center design.
• LEED accreditation preferred; strong client relationship and business skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead or co-lead technical and design efforts on complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Elevate project quality through design reviews and QA protocols.
• Solve complex technical challenges with buildable, sustainable solutions.
• Provide mentorship in technical delivery and documentation practices.
• Contribute to sector development, pursuits, and client engagement.
• Maintain high chargeability while supporting sector visibility and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Data Center design

Mentorship

Client engagement

Project management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering

Professional licensure

LEED accreditation preferred

Job description

Sector Leader - Mission Critical

HED is looking to add an experienced team member with a background in architecture and/or engineering who will be accountable for leading the Mission Critical sector, with a focus on data center projects, ensuring that the health of the entire project portfolio for the sector is in excellent condition. Also responsible for understanding and representing client requirements to the project teams.

About HED

We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening to (and learning from) each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share.

Essential Functions:

Technical/Design Leadership

• Lead or co-lead technical and design efforts on complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Elevate project quality through design reviews, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and quality control protocols.
• Solve complex technical challenges and advocate for buildable, sustainable, and innovative solutions.
• Provide mentorship to team members in technical delivery, integrated design, and documentation practices.

Sector Development and Business Growth

• Contribute to pursuit strategies, sector planning sessions, and client engagement tactics with a developing ownership mindset.
• Lead select project pursuits and participate in cross-disciplinary teams to reinforce HED's integrated design philosophy.
• Collaborate with sector and studio leadership to identify strategic priorities and support near-term growth initiatives.
• Support internal marketing and communications through storytelling, case studies, and showcasing design excellence.

Thought Leadership and Mentorship

• Develop and publish sector-focused thought leadership content.
• Represent HED at local and regional industry events and conferences.
• Mentor emerging professionals in sector-specific practices and technical growth areas.

Chargeability and Engagement

• Maintain a high level of project chargeability (~65-75%) while contributing meaningfully to business development, talent cultivation, and sector visibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering is required.
• Professional licensure or board approved certification is required.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience with a minimum of five years of Data Center design experience.
• LEED accreditation is preferred.
• Understanding of data center sector, client relationship skills and strong business skills.
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of professional services from marketing through project close-out, including design and technical expertise.
• Ability to motivate others and develop teamwork; excellent writing and speaking skills, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible.
• Strong business acumen.
• Professionalism, assertiveness, decisiveness, integrity, and the ability to lead and influence, as appropriate for a senior level position that is highly visible to clients and staff.
• Ability to interact appropriately in various business and social settings with all types of people.
• Models HED's core values.
• Capable of performing all the duties of a project manager is required.
• Computer literate.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of computer use and active participation in collaborative sessions.
• Frequent engagement in verbal, virtual, and written communication.
• Regular travel for client meetings, project reviews, and industry events.

Work Environment

We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration. In-office presence supports mentoring, creative dialogue, and collective innovation. Sector Leaders are expected to actively contribute to firm culture and thought leadership through in-person engagement.

Other Duties

This description outlines primary responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve with changing sector goals, project needs, and firm-wide priorities.