Design Principal - Interior Design

HGA•Sacramento, CA

13h•$154,000 - $168,000

About The Position

HGA is seeking a visionary Design Principal to help lead and grow its Interior Design practice in Sacramento, California. The role offers an opportunity to shape inspiring environments, strengthen client relationships, drive business growth, and influence design across Healthcare, Workplace, and other market sectors. The Design Principal serves as a strategic partner in pursuing, marketing, and delivering work. This role guides clients through complex design challenges, leads multidisciplinary teams toward innovative solutions, and is accountable for successful project execution from vision through implementation. Working alongside firm leaders, the Design Principal helps build and sustain a local, regional, and national practice that reflects HGA’s values, culture, and commitment to design excellence. The ideal candidate has led award-winning projects, cultivated meaningful client relationships, and inspired teams to deliver exceptional outcomes. The role calls for balancing creative vision with practical execution, and bringing together thoughtful design, business performance, and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or a related field from an accredited program.
15 or more years of experience working on small- to large-scale project types.
NCIDQ or CID accreditation.
Proven leadership and project management skills, with a track record of successfully delivering projects.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and clients.
Ability to oversee and take responsibility for all aspects of project delivery, ensuring timely and quality results.
Proficiency in Revit, SketchUp, other industry-standard software, and Microsoft Office products.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate commitment to Holistic Design through a collaborative, inclusive design process and team culture across disciplines.
Exemplify empathy, curiosity, and originality in developing ideas and interacting with clients, consultants, and staff.
Foster an open and authentic mentorship culture to support colleagues’ growth and leadership development.
Partner with Market Sector Leaders, Office Directors, and Practice Group Leaders to recruit, retain, mentor, and develop design leadership.
Foster design conversations, critique, and design culture at the office, practice group, or firm-wide level.
Collaborate with Principals-in-Charge, Market Sector Leaders, business developers, marketing support, and thought leaders to position HGA for strong projects in its markets and regions.
Help identify strategic targets, write proposals, and design interviews.
Manage client interaction and decision-making related to design.
Maintain the clarity and quality of the design concept through project details.
Work with the Principal-in-Charge, Project Manager, and other team leaders to establish project budgets and schedules and monitor adherence.
Collaborate with other Design Principals to elevate design and grow or maintain HGA’s national design brand.
Work with Principals-in-Charge, Market Sector Leaders, and Marketing and Communications to prioritize and refine regional and national communication about HGA’s work.
Represent HGA in the marketplace and design community through participation on boards and committees, authorship, and speaking opportunities.
Oversee all aspects of project delivery and ensure timely, high-quality results.