Senior Associate, Architect

SS&L Architects; Alabama; On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wages

Overtime pay

Medical & Dental Insurance

Disability & Gap Insurance

401k Profit Sharing

Relocation Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

SS&L Architects in Montgomery, AL seeks a Senior Associate Architect to lead complex projects, mentor staff, and help shape the firm’s future. Based across multiple Alabama offices, this role combines client leadership with hands-on project delivery.

You'll manage budgets, schedules, consultant coordination, and drive design excellence while contributing to business development and operational improvements within the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program.
• 8+ years of professional architectural experience.
• Proven experience leading projects through all phases of design and construction.
• Strong understanding of project budgeting, scheduling, consultant coordination, and construction administration.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop less experienced team members.
• Desire to contribute beyond project work and help drive the success of the firm.

Responsibilities

• Lead Project Delivery: Manage architectural projects from programming through construction administration.
• Mentor and Develop Staff: Provide day-to-day coaching and professional development for architects and designers.
• Contribute to Firm Leadership: Participate in operational discussions involving technology, staffing, facilities, and process improvements.
• Build Client Relationships: Represent the firm at client meetings, industry events, and community functions.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client relations

Budgeting

Scheduling

Mentoring

Communication

Education

NAAB-accredited degree in Architecture

Job description

SS&L Architects is seeking a Senior Associate Architect to join our team in Montgomery, Huntsville, Birmingham, Auburn, Dothan, or Pensacola.

Named the #1 Best Architecture Firm to Work For in America in 2026, SS&L Architects combines the opportunities of a growing regional firm with the culture and accessibility of a close-knit team. With more than four dozen professionals across six offices, we design impactful projects throughout the Southeast, including public safety facilities, higher education campuses, military installations, parks and recreation complexes, civic buildings, and many other developments.

This position is more than a traditional Project Manager role.

As a Senior Associate, you'll lead complex projects, mentor emerging professionals, help strengthen firm operations, contribute to business development efforts, and play an active role in shaping the future of SS&L Architects.

If you're looking for a seat at the table rather than just another project assignment, we'd like to talk.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Lead Project Delivery

• Manage architectural projects from programming through construction administration.
• Direct project teams, consultants, and client stakeholders.
• Develop project schedules, and fee management strategies.
• Maintain design quality while delivering projects on schedule and within budget.
• Guide construction administration efforts and support successful project outcomes.

Mentor and Develop Staff

• Provide day-to-day coaching and professional development for architects and designers.
• Share technical expertise, project management best practices, and firm standards.
• Help cultivate the next generation of project leaders.

Contribute to Firm Leadership

• Participate in operational discussions involving technology, staffing, facilities, and process improvements.
• Support quality control initiatives and promote design excellence across project teams.
• Assist with recruiting efforts, candidate evaluations, and onboarding of new team members.

Build Client Relationships

• Represent the firm at client meetings, industry events, interviews, and community functions.
• Help identify new opportunities and strengthen existing client relationships.
• Support marketing and business development initiatives that contribute to firm growth.
• Monitor project budgets, billing, and contract performance.
• Ensure projects remain financially successful while maintaining client satisfaction.
• Understand how project decisions impact overall firm performance.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program.
• 8+ years of professional architectural experience.
• Proven experience leading projects through all phases of design and construction.
• Strong understanding of project budgeting, scheduling, consultant coordination, and construction administration.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop less experienced team members.
• Desire to contribute beyond project work and help drive the success of the firm.

WHY SS&L ARCHITECTS?

Nationally Recognized Workplace

• Ranked #1 Best Architecture Firm to Work For in America for two consecutive years in 2025 & 2026
• Consistently named one of Alabama's Best Companies to Work For

Work on meaningful projects across multiple markets:

• Higher Education
• Civic & Municipal
• Military
• Public Safety
• Parks & Recreation
• Commercial & Office
• Path for advancement and leadership opportunities
• Firm-wide mentoring and professional development
• Opportunities to influence strategic decisions and company direction

At SS&L, you'll know the people making decisions. We believe in investing in our employees, supporting professional growth, and creating an environment where talented architects can build long-term careers.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We are committed to rewarding our team’s hard work and talent. As such, we are proud to offer hourly wages, standing out as one of the mere 14% of architecture firms nationwide that pay overtime, ensuring our team is compensated for every hour they dedicate to their work. Beyond wages, our benefits package is designed to support and enhance our team’s well-being and work-life balance, including generous paid time off, profit sharing, and gym membership discounts among other perks. We continuously monitor the market to maintain an industry leading compensation and benefit package.

• Highly Competitive Hourly Pay Structure
• Overtime (beyond 40 hours) earned at 1.5x hourly rate
• Medical & Dental Insurance
• Disability & Gap Insurance
• 5% Profit Sharing for 401k
• Relocation Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

• 15 days per year, accrued annually
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Unused PTO rolls over annually