Studio Lead, Principal (Architecture)

About The Role:

The Crowd is excited to be partnering with a globally recognized architecture and design practice known for delivering complex projects across hospitality, mixed-use, retail, residential, and civic sectors worldwide. With a growing presence in North America and the support of a strong international platform, this award-winning firm is seeking a Studio Lead, Principal to lead its San Francisco studio.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior architect and business leader to shape the future of an established office within a global design organization. The successful candidate will oversee the studio’s strategic direction, commercial performance, and design quality while fostering a strong, collaborative culture within the team. The ideal candidate will be a licensed architect with significant leadership experience who can balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day studio management – guiding teams, building client relationships, and driving sustainable growth.

This role offers a highly competitive benefits package including fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families, a 401(k) with profit-sharing potential, generous PTO, professional membership support, and a performance-based bonus structure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for the studio, setting the strategic direction while overseeing design quality, business performance, and team culture
• Manage the commercial health of the studio, including financial performance, forecasting, pipeline development, and resource planning
• Cultivate strong client relationships and lead business development efforts, identifying opportunities and guiding high-value pursuits
• Ensure projects are delivered successfully by supporting teams with clear design direction, operational oversight, and quality control
• Mentor and develop talent across the studio while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment

Key Skills/Requirements:

• Licensed Architect in California with extensive experience in architectural practice
• Proven leadership experience within a design firm, ideally overseeing studio operations or business units
• Strong commercial and strategic mindset, with experience managing financial performance, project pipelines, or business growth
• Demonstrated success winning and delivering complex architectural projects across multiple sectors
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and build lasting client relationships

To apply for this position please click on the apply button to attach your resume (and portfolio for design positions).

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The Crowd is an equal opportunities employer and agency.