Job Summary:

The Principal Architect - Practice Lead serves as a critical operations leader responsible for supporting the overall performance, coordination, and growth of a designated market. This role ensures the efficient and high-quality execution of work across teams while also contributing to strategic initiatives, client relationship management, and staff development. The Principal Architect plays a hands-on role in day-to-day operations, including oversight of project execution, resource management, financial metrics, and market-specific initiatives that align with organizational priorities.

Primary Essential Functions:

Support the Education Market Leader in executing strategic and operational initiatives across the assigned market.
Oversee the daily operations of the market, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to scope and quality expectations.
Lead resource planning and workforce management efforts, matching talent to market and client needs effectively.
Manage and monitor key financial metrics, including revenue forecasts, backlog, utilization, and project profitability.
Support business development activities through proposal preparation, pursuit strategy, and existing client relationship management.
Collaborate with project managers to monitor project performance and ensure alignment with contractual and regulatory obligations.
Partner with HR and market leadership to support employee development, career planning, and performance management within the market.
Drive operational consistency and continuous improvement by implementing best practices and contributing to process optimization.
Act as a culture ambassador by promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and performance-oriented environment across offices and disciplines.
Contribute to annual planning and budgeting processes, identifying opportunities for growth, efficiencies, and risk mitigation.
Serve as a liaison between project teams and executive leadership, escalating issues and communicating market needs as appropriate.
Oversee compliance with health, safety, and quality assurance standards.
Represent the market in internal forums, town halls, and leadership meetings when needed, acting as a proxy for the VP.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

Knowledge

Comprehensive understanding of market-specific trends, client expectations, and competitive positioning.
Knowledge of project management processes, including scope, schedule, and budget control.
Familiarity with A/E/C industry regulations, contracting methods, and delivery models.
Awareness of workforce planning, resource utilization, and financial performance metrics.
Understanding of organizational development practices, including performance reviews and succession planning.

Skills

Strong organizational and planning skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across functions and levels.
Financial acumen, including forecasting, cash flow, AR, and project financial tracking.
Skilled in conflict resolution, team building, and motivating staff toward high performance.
Proficient in tools and platforms used for project and financial management (e.g., Deltek, ERP systems, CRM platforms).

Abilities

Translate strategic goals into actionable plans at the operational level.
Analyze data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the market.
Influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment without direct authority.
Balance long-term planning with short-term execution needs.
Navigate complex situations with a solution-oriented, people-first mindset.

Qualifications:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations, project management, or market leadership in the A/E/C or professional services industry.
Demonstrated experience managing teams, budgets, and project portfolios.

Preferred

Master’s degree or advanced certification in operations, management, or a related field.
Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and distributed offices or remote teams.
Prior experience with profit center or market P&L responsibility (direct or support role).

Why Stratus:

Room to Grow: We’re expanding-and that means meaningful career paths, leadership opportunities, and space to specialize.
Strong Culture: A team-oriented environment that values transparency, creativity, and shared success.
Flexible Work Environment: We support hybrid work and balance because your well-being matters.
Support for Your Future: From mentorship and licensing support to training and development resources, we’re here for your professional journey

Equal Opportunity Statement

Stratus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Stratus Team’s management Team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

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