Associate Principal, Education and Science

HDR•Austin, TX

About The Position

At HDR, we are seeking an Associate Principal to join our team focused on planning and designing spaces for higher education, science, and research. This role involves working collaboratively with architects, engineers, and other design professionals in an expertise-driven practice that combines deep technical knowledge with creativity. The Associate Principal will help guide the direction of the Education & Science (EdSci) sector in the Texas market and surrounding areas, contributing to a dynamic and growing team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a client base, augmenting the team's reputation, leading pursuits, and directing project teams. A key aspect of this role is nurturing strong client relationships from pre-positioning through project execution to secure future work. Project types include learning environments, research and development facilities for academic, institutional, and government entities, as well as corporate science projects. While primarily focused on the Texas market, opportunities may extend to neighboring states and internationally. HDR is an employee-owned firm committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where all employees are valued, respected, and empowered.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field
7 years related experience
A minimum of 2 years project management experience
Must have the ability to interact with various design teams
Excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or closely related field
A minimum of 10 years experience in higher education
Registered Architect
Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project Schedule)
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong knowledge of codes and good planning skills

Responsibilities

Contribute to the leadership and visioning for the EdSci sector in the Texas region
Develop capture plans and initiate relationships with key new clients
Maintain an active and visible presence in the EdSci sector
Develop qualifications and proposals for EdSci pursuits
Contribute to or leading pursuit go/no-go and strategy discussions
Contribute to or direct interview strategies and implementation
Prepare and negotiate project contracts
Serve as Principal-in-Charge and/or Project Manager on projects as appropriate
Maintain project oversight throughout execution, including conformance to client expectations for technical/quality, financial performance, and schedule adherence
Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to project teams
In collaboration with EdSci subject matter experts, and independently when appropriate, develop abstracts and presentations for industry conferences, seminars, workshops, and other similar events promoting program messages, research, project outcomes, lessons learned, trends, etc. related to facility design.