Perkins&Will Atlanta Studio is seeking a Design Principal to help shape the future of our practice through design leadership, client partnership, and business growth. In collaboration with the Managing Principal, Project Managers, and studio teams, this individual will drive design excellence, strengthen client relationships, and expand our portfolio and market presence.
The Design Principal leads multidisciplinary teams in developing innovative design solutions that advance clients' goals, reflect their values, and support their culture. Guided by our commitment to Living Design, you will foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and innovation while leveraging local and firmwide expertise to deliver exceptional client outcomes, strong financial performance, and effective risk management.
For full consideration, please include a portfolio with your resume, either as a link or a PDF of work samples. Applications without a portfolio may not be fully considered.
- Leads design teams in successfully delivering high-quality projects that meet all building standards and fulfill the firm’s Living Design framework.
- Represents the firms’ commitment to design, champions and executes design excellence with clients, projects, and teams in collaboration with the studio Design Director and Practice Leaders.
- Participates in project scope delineation, work plan creation, implementation, and fee negotiations on projects for which responsible.
- Participates in discussions with studio leadership regarding the composition and organization of the project teams for which responsible.
- Monitors overall quality of the project design process, product, and delivery.
- Monitors the performance and approach of project teams in collaboration with Design Directors to ensure that the firm’s standards and design goals are met at each stage of the project.
- Conducts regular quality control sessions with project teams.
- Coordinates and participates in internal peer workshops to ensure design goals and standards are met, presenting projects for which responsible and providing design input on other projects.
- Keeps abreast of current developments, trends, standards and practices within the firm and the industry.
- Partners with Design Director in interviewing prospective designers on an as-needed basis.
- Participates in design staff year-end reviews and mentors design staff.
- Participates in marketing, business development, and sales activities. Leads interview teams when appropriate.
- Participates in the identification and development of marketing material and other collateral associated with projects for which responsible..
- Participates in firmwide design leadership initiatives as appropriate.
- Supports design leadership by advancing the design culture of the firm at the local studio level, focusing on local DEI initiatives, career development, and talent advancement.
- Engages with professional organizations and academic institutions as appropriate.
Proficiencies:
- Knowledge of industry regulations, health/life safety requirements, and building codes
- Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction
- Strong design portfolio, ideally broad based in a range of project types
- Strong project budgeting and contract negotiations skills
- Strong working relationships with clients and consultants
- Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring and coordinating successful project teams
- Strong ideator and conceptual thinker
Software Skills:
- Working knowledge of Revit. Working knowledge of conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office / Adobe Suite
- Working knowledge of visualization tools such as Enscape and VRay
Licensure/Certifications/Education:
- LEED GA within 6 months of hire
- Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
- Architectural license, NCIDQ, LARE, or AICP as appropriate
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, or related discipline required.
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Skills Required
- 15+ years of professional experience
- Professional licensure, such as architectural license, NCIDQ, LARE, or AICP as appropriate
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, or a related discipline
- Strong design portfolio submitted with resume
- Knowledge of industry regulations, health and life safety requirements, and building codes
- Knowledge of site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and construction
- Strong project budgeting and contract negotiation skills
- Experience hiring, directing, mentoring, and coordinating successful project teams
- Working knowledge of Revit
- Working knowledge of conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite
- Working knowledge of visualization tools such as Enscape and V-Ray
- LEED GA within six months of hire
- Professional accreditation in a Living Design area, such as LEED AP, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
Perkins&Will Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Perkins&Will and has not been reviewed or approved by Perkins&Will.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Inclusive health benefits extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners and include coverage for gender confirmation surgery, reinforced by repeated external recognition for LGBTQ equality.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans dental, vision, disability, life, and medical insurance, alongside FSA options and related support programs that broaden access to care.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is complemented by performance bonuses that add to total rewards.
Perkins&Will Insights
What We Do
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about Living Design, a philosophy that guides our work and emphasizes poetics and beauty; conceptual clarity; research and innovation; technology and tectonics; community and inclusion; resilience and regeneration; and health and well-being. Our team of over 2,500 professionals in 30 studios worldwide provides interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). We’re also part of the Sidara Collaborative, a global network of leading designers, engineers, planners, and consultants.
