Architecture Project Principal

HDR•Jacksonville, FL

About The Position

HDR is seeking a Project Principal to join its Florida practice, contributing to its health, education/research, and civic architecture design work. The role provides senior leadership across health, education, science, and sport/civic market sectors, with required health-sector experience in Florida. The Project Principal oversees complex projects, advises clients and project teams, builds client relationships, supports practice strategy, and helps grow the practice. Project leadership may span any of HDR’s core market sectors. The role provides strategic project direction and executive oversight, supports project teams through complex decisions, promotes quality, and mentors Project Managers and emerging leaders. It also contributes to practice development, talent growth, collaboration, thought leadership, and client development. The position includes advancing sustainable and regenerative design efforts, supporting integrated design processes, and spearheading AIA 2030 reporting for design projects through HDR’s energy-modeling initiative. Travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
15 years of related experience.
At least 7 years of project management experience.
Registered Architect.
Experience on large-scale projects.
Ability to lead project teams and make client presentations.
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Project.
Extensive knowledge and experience in the local and regional market.
Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational, organizational, and people skills.
Desire to integrate holistic sustainable processes into design projects during early design stages.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to travel.
Commitment to active participation in HDR’s employee-owned culture.
Health-sector experience in Florida is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with laboratory or education projects.
Experience with civic or justice projects.
Experience successfully developing and executing targeted market and client strategies.
Preference for local candidates.
Advanced credentials such as ACHA, LEED, or EDAC.
Experience in sustainable and/or regenerative design.
Experience and understanding of basic building physics, low-carbon materials, and high-performance design strategies.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight for projects, aligning work with client objectives, project goals, organizational priorities, and long-term success.
Advise project teams on complex challenges and decisions related to scope, budget, quality, risk, and project direction.
Champion project vision and desired outcomes among clients, project teams, consultants, and stakeholders.
Provide executive support during critical project milestones, major decisions, and significant issues requiring leadership involvement.
Promote quality through QA/QC processes, technical excellence, and alignment with client expectations and HDR standards.
Mentor Project Managers and emerging leaders in client service, project leadership, team development, communication, and business management.
Work with market sector and health leadership to support local, regional, and national business objectives and advance HDR’s practice.
Contribute to strategic initiatives, growth priorities, investments, and practice development.
Support recruitment, staff development, mentoring, leadership development, talent planning, and succession planning.
Foster collaboration across practices, disciplines, offices, and regions to deliver integrated solutions and improve client experience.
Contribute to thought leadership, industry engagement, conference participation, and market-facing activities.
Advance HDR sustainability initiatives, elevate sustainable design literacy, and ensure integrated design processes on projects.
Spearhead AIA 2030 reporting for design projects through HDR’s 100% energy modeling initiative.
Promote HDR’s three pillars on projects: Towards a Regenerative Future, Community Well-Being, and Transforming Project Delivery.
Develop and maintain relationships with clients, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor throughout the client lifecycle.
Manage key client relationships on projects and help align client organizational goals, project priorities, and long-term operational objectives.
Identify opportunities for new work and expanded relationships in collaboration with leadership, business development professionals, and project teams.
Support pursuit planning, proposal development, interviews, and client presentations.
Represent HDR at professional organizations, industry events, conferences, and client forums as appropriate.
Travel as needed.