Studio Director

Prevail Recruiting; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Prevail Recruiting seeks an experienced Studio Director to lead an architectural team, oversee project delivery, and manage daily studio operations in Dallas, TX. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on architectural oversight to ensure design intent, technical accuracy, and financial performance.

The ideal candidate is a licensed professional with a proven track record of leading teams, managing multiple projects, and coordinating with clients, consultants, and construction

Qualifications

• Licensed architectural professional.
• 15+ years of progressive architectural leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success managing architectural teams and overseeing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong expertise in architectural documentation, technical coordination, and quality control.
• Experience managing project schedules, staffing, resources, and budgets.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, and construction stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, mentoring, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with architectural software, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Project.
• A leadership approach that combines strategic planning with hands-on involvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design, documentation, and coordination through construction.
• Review drawings for technical accuracy and alignment with design intent.
• Serve as the lead architect and principal-in-charge on assigned projects.
• Oversee project schedules, staffing, and deliverables to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Collaborate with preconstruction and construction teams to address constructability and design questions.

Skills

15+ years leadership

Licensed architect

Project management

Client coordination

Architectural software knowledge

MS Office & MS Project

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Base Salary: $175,000–$200,000, depending on experience

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Studio Director to lead an architectural team, oversee project delivery, and manage daily studio operations. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on architectural oversight, ensuring projects meet design expectations, technical requirements, schedules, and budgets.

The ideal candidate is a licensed architectural professional with a strong record of leading teams, managing multiple projects, and coordinating effectively with clients, consultants, and construction partners.

What You’ll Do

• Lead architectural project teams through design, construction documentation, and coordination during construction.
• Review drawings and project documents for technical accuracy, completeness, consistency, and alignment with design intent.
• Serve as the lead architect and principal‑in‑charge on assigned projects, guiding key decisions and resolving technical challenges.
• Oversee project schedules, staffing, and deliverables to meet deadlines and established fee budgets.
• Collaborate with preconstruction and construction teams to address constructability, resolve design questions, and support successful execution.

Team Management & Development

• Manage and mentor architectural leaders, project managers, project architects, job captains, and support staff.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, communication, and accountability.
• Assign responsibilities based on project needs, team capacity, and individual strengths.
• Support training, professional development, and career progression.
• Build a collaborative studio environment that encourages thoughtful problem‑solving and consistent quality.

Studio Operations

• Oversee daily workflow, resource planning, and staff assignments across active projects.
• Monitor workloads and adjust staffing to maintain dependable project delivery.
• Review project‑related expenses and support adherence to established budgets.
• Work with leadership on project scope, fee agreements, and billing coordination.
• Identify operational improvements that strengthen efficiency and team performance.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain clear, responsive communication with clients throughout design and construction.
• Coordinate with consultants, construction partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Represent project teams at design presentations, public hearings, and other stakeholder meetings.
• Address client concerns and guide teams toward practical solutions.
• Strengthen client relationships through reliable delivery and attentive service.

Quality & Process Improvement

• Establish and maintain quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Improve standards for design documentation, technical reviews, and project coordination.
• Implement review checkpoints at key project milestones.
• Use feedback from construction teams and completed projects to reduce errors, limit rework, and improve future delivery.

What We’re Looking For

• Licensed architectural professional.
• 15+ years of progressive architectural leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success managing architectural teams and overseeing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong expertise in architectural documentation, technical coordination, and quality control.
• Experience managing project schedules, staffing, resources, and budgets.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, and construction stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, mentoring, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with architectural software, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Project.
• A leadership approach that combines strategic planning with hands‑on involvement.

The Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to lead a studio, develop architectural talent, and influence how projects move from design into construction. Your work will directly shape documentation quality, project performance, client satisfaction, and the professional growth of your team.