Architecture/Design Principal

Job Description

SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT SOLUTIONS (SRS) PRACTICE

Michael Baker International seamlessly integrates all our service offerings – architecture, planning, landscape architecture, engineering and management – to solve client challenges from multiple vantage points, providing unsurpassed holistic, sustainable, and innovative solutions. From high-profile, high-image landmarks to low-cost, utilitarian solutions, our professionals know how to balance image and cost appropriately for each unique situation. At Michael Baker International, we believe that the beauty of a project resides both in performance and aesthetics – “success” to us is measured by functionality, value, and exceeding clients’ expectations to “Make a Difference.” Our SRS Practice is focused on providing full-service planning, design, architecture, engineering (MEP, Structural and Fire Protection), cybersecurity, commissioning and program management services for Government, Institutional and Private Sector clients.

Description

We are currently seeking a Design Principal for our national Architecture practice who, in collaboration with the Architecture leadership team, will be responsible for the strategy, growth and development of our architecture practice across the company. This is a key leadership position in our SRS business vertical reporting to our SVP and Practice Executive for the national Architecture practice. A key priority is to focus on the growth of our multi-disciplinary Architecture and Engineering services in the private sector markets while maintaining our focus in the continued growth and development of our capabilities in Federal, State and Local sectors. The company continues to win contracts and expand its coverage in Federal, Aviation, Transit and other public sector projects with a strategy to grow the business in private sector markets to include Corporate, Industrial, Manufacturing, Defense Contractors, Aerospace, Higher Education, Lifesciences, Energy Transition, Healthcare etc. This position requires close partnership and coordination with our SRS leadership team, marketing and business development team as well as affiliate companies to pursue opportunities and leverage existing clients and markets.

Essential Responsibilities

• Challenges the status quo in a constructive manner while providing strong design/architecture leadership at the national, regional and local levels. This is a seller doer role with 65% target utilization on projects.
• Provides leadership to the operations and functional teams supporting the specific sectors, ensuring alignment with company objectives. Collaborates with Practice leadership to support our market leaders in developing local and diversified market initiatives.
• Ensures consistent use and application of operations management tools and actively participates in bi-weekly meetings to facilitate effective resource planning, quality management, and coordinated project execution.
• Works closely with project managers in the development and implementation of project work plans/methodologies for complex projects.
• Aligned with Project Managers, directs and coordinates activities of multi-disciplinary staff to ensure project progression per schedule, on budget, and within scope parameters.
• Works with Operations Managers to ensure staff maintains certifications and current licensing and training requirements to meet government regulatory requirements.
• Actively participates with local/regional professional and community-focused organizations to grow relationships and re-introduce/educate potential clients towards the Architecture Practice at Michael Baker.
• Encourages uniformly high design standards and monitors projects to ensure quality and production standards for all design and contract documents. Facilitates inter-office/inter-disciplinary collaboration, communication, and cooperation.
• Constructively critiques individual and team efforts, towards continuous improvement. Fosters a continuous learning culture by encouraging communication and the sharing of ideas and technical knowledge through mentoring, in-house presentations, case studies, and continuing education opportunities.
• Helps grow new clients and diversify our services, support business development strategy with the local and regional BD teams to broaden the capabilities of the office/region and grow the business. Actively engage in business development strategy with project managers, subject matter experts, market and practice leads, operations, and regional directors.
• Assist and/or lead the strategy and messaging for targeted pursuits, including all elements to craft winning proposals. Assist with the development of gap analyses, competitive assessments, discriminators and key win themes, and overall win strategy/value proposition.
• Participate in the development and execution of capture plans with the objective of increasing the win probability of targeted pursuits. Participate in Go/No-Go evaluations.
• Mentor and motivate staff on performance feedback, technical guidance, financial management, and client relations.
• Identify and develop emerging talent and leadership to create upward opportunity and succession planning. Actively identify and help with recruiting industry talent for strategic pursuits and projects.
  
  

Experience Requirements

• Strong leadership with a minimum 15 years of experience in design/architecture studio oversight, as well as management of Architecture projects and staff resources.
• Thorough knowledge of the business of Architecture with demonstrated experience leading, directing, and managing people.
• Comprehensive understanding of the collaborative inter-relationships between Architecture and engineering disciplines, clients, and constructors.
• Understanding of and experience with Design/Build and other alternative project delivery methods.
• Knowledge of digital delivery, including BIM, but including the ability to collaborate with our team with industry guidance/insight on the implementation of newer AI driven and parametric tools to our practice.
• Understanding and experience with technical specifications software, including SpecsIntact, MasterSpec, etc., as well as Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and building codes.
• Excellent communication and people skills including ability to articulate ideas, both verbally and in writing; personable and outgoing in work relationships, both externally and internally; highly precise, detailed, and self-organized; frank and candid during all business relationships.
• Business development experience is highly preferred, including research and developing responses to Requests for Proposals (RFP), as well oversight of written and graphic marketing materials.
  
  

Professional Requirements

• BS/BA Architecture; Bachelor of Architecture; or MS/MA Architecture. with active licensure as a Registered Architect (RA). NCARB Certification is required, given project geography.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) membership is highly preferred.
• LEED Accredited Professional BD+C is highly preferred.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and guide a team. Excellent communications and negotiation abilities.
• Knowledge of industry regulations and best practices. Industry engagement and thought leadership is strongly preferred.
• Travel may be required, approximately 25-35%.
  
  

Compensation

The approximate compensation range for this position $175,000 - $275,000 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

The role is eligible for performance bonus commensurate with performance and metrics established upon joining Michael Baker.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits
  
  

About Us

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 80 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with nearly 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

• It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.