Principal Architect - Federal

Stantec Buildings is on a mission to become the world’s leading integrated design practice. Our architects, engineers, interior designers, sustainability specialists, and technologists are passionate about the power of design. We take an innovative, collaborative approach to projects, sharing a common belief that sustainable design for the built environment can make the world a better place for future generations. Join us and design your place with Stantec.

Your Opportunity

Our Federal Buildings sector group is seeking qualified candidates to support our growing practice. Stantec is #1 of the Top 100 Architecture Engineering Firms (BD&C 2025) and #1 of the Top 20 West Top Design Firms by Market Sector – Architecture (ENR West 2025) and a Top 10 global design firm in our Federal Buildings practice that provides Architecture, Buildings Engineering, Urban, and Interior Design services with a long history and deep commitment to clients that include NAVFAC, USACE, USCG, NGB, GSA, and more. 

We are seeking a successful Principal Architect combining executive leadership, business development, operational management, and technical excellence to join and grow the architectural practice in the Seattle region; being recognized by clients and industry peers as a trusted advisor, consistently generate new business opportunities, leading successful project delivery teams, developing future leaders, and contributing directly to the growth and profitability of the architectural practice.

Principal Architect (Seller-Doer)

Position Title: Principal Architect
Experience: Minimum 25 years of architectural experience
Licensure: Registered Architect (RA) in the State of Washington; NCARB certification preferred
Leadership Experience: Minimum 5 years serving in a Principal Architect, Practice Leader, Office Leader, or equivalent senior leadership role
Reports To: Regional Business Leader / Sector Leader / Practice Leader

Work Location: Seattle, WA; Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office.

Position Summary

The Principal Architect is a senior leader responsible for driving business growth, leading architectural operations, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex projects. This role functions as a seller-doer, balancing client development, strategic leadership, project oversight, and technical excellence. The Principal Architect serves as a trusted advisor to clients, develops high-performing teams, oversees project execution, and contributes to the overall profitability and growth of the practice.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in architectural design, project delivery, staff leadership, business development, and operational management while maintaining strong client relationships and industry visibility.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Client Leadership ("Seller")

Strategic Growth (This is the immediate focus and priority of this position)

• Along with Regional Grow & Capture leaders, develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities.
• Lead client engagement activities and maintain executive-level client relationships.
• Expand existing client accounts through repeat work and cross-selling of services.
• Develop teaming strategies with consultants, contractors, and strategic partners.
• Lead Go/No-Go decision-making and pursuit planning activities.

Proposal and Pursuit Leadership

• Lead major pursuits, interviews, and presentations.
• Develop winning strategies for RFQs, RFPs, IDIQs, MATOCs, MACCs, and task order opportunities.
• Participate in contract negotiations and fee development.
• Support capture planning and pipeline management.

Industry Leadership

• Represent the firm in industry associations, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Serve as a thought leader on industry trends, emerging technologies, and market conditions.
• Enhance firm visibility through speaking engagements, publications, and client outreach.

Project Leadership and Delivery ("Doer")

Project Oversight

• Provide executive oversight for architectural and multidisciplinary projects.
• Ensure projects meet client expectations for scope, budget, schedule, quality, and performance.
• Serve as Principal-in-Charge, Executive Sponsor, or Senior Technical Advisor.
• Provide strategic guidance during programming, planning, design, construction documentation, procurement, and construction administration phases.

Technical Excellence

• Ensure design solutions meet applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Maintain design quality and technical integrity across projects.
• Review critical project deliverables and milestones.
• Provide guidance on project delivery methods including: 
  • Design-Bid-Build
  • Design-Build
  • CMAR
  • Progressive Design-Build

Risk Management

• Oversee project contractual compliance and risk mitigation.
• Identify and resolve project challenges before they impact successful delivery.
• Support claims avoidance and dispute resolution efforts.
• Promote quality assurance and quality control programs.

Architectural Operations Leadership

Operational Management

• Support management of the architecture practice for the Seattle region business center.
• Develop operational plans to improve efficiency, profitability, and project performance.
• Monitor utilization, backlog, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Participate in annual business planning and budgeting activities.

Financial Performance

• Manage revenue growth and profitability objectives.
• Support fee development, contract negotiations, and financial forecasting.
• Monitor project financial metrics including: 
  • Net revenue
  • Profitability
  • Utilization
  • Multipliers
  • Backlog
  • Accounts receivable

Resource Management

• Collaborate with leadership to forecast staffing requirements.
• Support recruiting, hiring, and succession planning initiatives.
• Optimize allocation of staff resources across projects and pursuits.

Leadership and Talent Development

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and coaching to architects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
• Support career development and professional growth of emerging leaders.

Staff Development

• Mentor project managers, project architects, and technical staff.
• Support licensure and professional development initiatives.
• Conduct performance reviews and establish measurable development goals.
• Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence.

Succession Planning

• Develop future practice leaders and project executives.
• Identify and cultivate high-potential talent.
• Ensure continuity of leadership across the practice.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree preferred.

Licensing

• Current Registered Architect license in the State of Washington in good standing status is required.
• NCARB certification preferred.
• LEED AP, WELL AP, DBIA, PMP, or other relevant certifications desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 25 years of progressive architectural experience.
• Minimum 5 years serving as Principal Architect, Managing Principal, Practice Leader, Office Leader, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success managing large and complex architectural projects.
• Proven track record of business development and client relationship management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.

Core Capabilities

Leadership

• Strategic thinking and business leadership.
• Executive presence and influence.
• Organizational leadership and change management.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Business Development

• Client relationship management.
• Opportunity identification and capture planning.
• Negotiation and contract development.
• Market analysis and strategic positioning.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of architectural practice and project delivery.
• Expertise in design, construction documentation, and construction administration.
• Thorough understanding of building codes, regulations, and industry standards.
• Strong understanding of integrated project delivery and design-build methodologies.

Financial Acumen

• Profit and loss management.
• Revenue forecasting and backlog management.
• Fee development and project financial oversight.
• Resource planning and utilization management.

Communication

• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills.
• Client presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary teams.

Performance Measures

Success in this role may be evaluated based on:

Business Development

• Annual sales goals achieved.
• New client acquisition.
• Growth of existing client accounts.
• Win rates on pursuits.

Project Performance

• Client satisfaction.
• On-time and on-budget delivery.
• Project profitability.
• Quality and risk management outcomes.

Operations

• Revenue growth.
• Backlog growth.
• Utilization performance.
• Practice profitability.

Leadership

• Employee engagement.
• Staff retention.
• Succession planning success.
• Development of future leaders.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.