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We are currently seeking an Architectural PrincipalĀ to join our Residential team in ourĀ Pleasanton, CAĀ office. The Principal-Residential serves as a highly visible leader within the firm and market, bringing exceptional design sensibility, technical expertise, presentation skills, and business acumen to complex projects and client relationships. This individual champions design excellence, develops and mentors high-performing teams, strengthens existing client relationships, and helps secure new opportunities that support DAHLIN's strategic growth.
How We Lead
We believe organizational health is our greatest competitive advantage. We expect every member of our leadership team to put the interests of the enterprise ahead of their individual goals and to actively contribute to the health and effectiveness of the firm. Technical excellence matters, but we believe healthy leadership teams outperform brilliant but dysfunctional ones. We value humility over ego, clarity over complexity, and teamwork over individual achievements.
What You'll Do
Strategic Leadership
- Identify, lead, and achieve strategic goals aligned with DAHLIN's overall business plan and growth initiatives.
- Develop and execute individual action plans that support the growth and success of the practice or sector.
- Communicate the sector's vision and strategic priorities internally and externally, ensuring alignment with firmwide goals.
- Collaborate with firm and practice leaders to identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and market expansion.
- Lead and champion the design process, promoting innovation, creativity, and design excellence across projects.
- Provide high-level architectural and technical direction on complex projects and ensure design solutions support client objectives.
- Bring strong design sensibility and presentation skills to client meetings, project pursuits, and industry engagements.
- Encourage innovative thinking and advance DAHLIN's design legacy through collaboration, research, mentorship, and industry engagement.
- Represent DAHLIN's design expertise through thought leadership, industry publications, speaking engagements, and professional organizations.
- Strengthen relationships with existing clients and identify opportunities to expand DAHLIN's work and influence.
- Cultivate relationships with prospective clients and strategic partners to generate new business opportunities.
- Participate in and lead client presentations, interviews, proposals, and major pursuits.
- Partner with Marketing and firm leadership to establish business development goals and execute market development strategies.
- Represent DAHLIN at conferences, industry events, speaking engagements, and community activities.
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of market conditions, client needs, and emerging opportunities.
- Take responsibility for achieving financial goals for the team and supporting the financial success of the broader practice and firm.
- Monitor project and team performance to ensure successful financial and operational outcomes.
- Partner with other leaders to achieve revenue, profitability, pipeline, and resource-planning goals.
- Contribute to accurate project forecasting, staffing, contracting, and resource planning.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive environment where employees can perform at their highest potential.
- Lead with humility, integrity, and professional confidence while putting team success ahead of personal recognition.
- Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and provide ongoing feedback and coaching.
- Mentor and develop architects, project leaders, and emerging professionals.
- Support career development by identifying opportunities for employees to expand their skills, responsibilities, and leadership capabilities.
- Partner with People & Culture when hiring needs arise and actively participate in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting talent.
- Build and retain a high-performing, properly balanced team aligned with DAHLIN's strategic needs.
- Address performance, collaboration, and interpersonal issues directly and constructively.
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning, or a related design discipline.
- Active professional architecture license required.
- 15+ years of progressively increasing experience in architecture, design, project leadership, and management within a highly regarded design firm.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex projects, teams, and client relationships.
- Proven ability to achieve or exceed team financial and project performance goals.
- Strong design sensibility and exceptional presentation skills.
- Demonstrated success developing and maintaining client relationships and contributing to business development.
- Strong technical, analytical, financial, and operational judgment.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading strategic growth initiatives within an architecture or design practice.
- Established relationships within relevant markets and industry organizations.
- Experience with complex contract negotiations and professional service agreements.
- Active involvement in professional organizations, industry events, publications, or speaking engagements.
We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer the opportunity to participate in pre-tax Flexible Spending Plans for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and a 401(k).
The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $162,500, depending on qualifications. Placement within this pay range will be determined by factors such as education, qualifications, project complexity, leadership scope, and experience. The maximum is reserved for candidates who currently meet all job requirements. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
One last noteā¦ We regret that due to the large volume of inquiries, we are unable to accept phone calls regarding the status of applications. We'll be sure to contact you if we need more information. Apply now!
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As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to welcoming and supporting a diverse community of professionals. As such, women and people of color are especially encouraged to apply. Our firm participates in E-Verify.
DAHLIN is committed to integrity in hiring. Please click here for an important notice on Recruitment Fraud.
DAHLIN values your privacy. Please click here for additional information.
We do not accept resumes from recruiters, placement agencies, or other staffing vendors who have not signed an agreement with us. Unsolicited resumes will be ineligible for referral fees.
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