Director, Architecture

Prime AE Group Inc • Columbus, OH

5h • Onsite

About The Position

We Make Everything Around Us Better

At PRIME AE, that’s not a slogan, it’s how we work.

Every bridge, building, campus, park, and roadway we design exists to improve how people live, move, learn, and connect. Through architecture, engineering, planning, and consulting, we partner with clients to create thoughtful, practical solutions that leave communities stronger than we found them.

If you want your work to matter, and to be surrounded by smart, collaborative people who care about doing things the right way, you’ll feel at home here.

Who We Are:
PRIME AE Group, Inc. (www.primeeng.com [http://www.primeeng.com]) is a nationally ranked, full-service architecture and engineering firm driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we serve. With a growing footprint of offices across the country and a diverse team of more than 550 professionals, we partner with public and private sector clients to deliver thoughtful, high-impact solutions across transportation, education, healthcare, municipal, federal, commercial, and recreational markets.

Our culture blends entrepreneurial energy with the resources of a scaled, multidisciplinary platform—giving our people the opportunity to shape meaningful projects while influencing the future direction of the firm. As PRIME AE continues to expand its capabilities, geographic reach, and leadership bench, this is an exciting time to join a team that is building momentum, investing in growth, and empowering leaders to make a lasting impact.

The Opportunity:
We are currently seeking a Director, Architecture – Public Sector. This position will be in the PRIME AE Columbus office.

What You Will Do:
We are seeking a licensed architect to serve as a Public Sector Market Leader, responsible for advancing and growing PRIME AE’s presence across civic and public-sector programs. This role is designed for a strategic, client-focused professional who brings experience delivering municipal facilities such as fire stations, public safety buildings, community centers, municipal complexes, and other local government infrastructure.

As a practice builder, this individual will lead market development efforts, strengthen relationships with municipal clients, and guide multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality, community-focused design solutions. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in project execution, providing oversight in design direction, pursuit strategy, and project management while mentoring emerging professionals within the practice.
In addition to market leadership responsibilities, the successful candidate will serve as the lead for the local Columbus Architecture Studio, providing day-to-day leadership, fostering a collaborative design culture, and aligning studio operations with PRIME AE’s broader strategic objectives. This position will play a key role in strengthening the firm’s presence in the Central Ohio region with potential connectivity to North East Ohio, while supporting integrated, multi-discipline delivery across the platform.

The selected candidate will be instrumental in expanding PRIME AE’s Municipal Market Sector by identifying growth opportunities, driving pursuit and capture strategies, and aligning technical expertise with the firm’s broader operational and geographic goals. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a growing practice, influence firmwide strategy, and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance the communities we serve.

Why PRIME AE:
We don’t just fill positions; we invest in people.

At PRIME AE, you’ll find a supportive, flexible environment where careers are built intentionally, not accidentally. You’ll work on projects that improve everyday life, alongside colleagues who challenge and respect one another.

What sets us apart:

Career Growth: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical expertise to project and people leadership.
People-First Culture: We value trust, integrity, and collaboration, and we mean it.
Meaningful Work: Projects that strengthen communities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
Growth with Purpose: Strategic expansion backed by strong leadership and investment.
National Reach, Local Feel: Big-firm resources with the agility and relationships of local offices.
Our Commitment:
PRIME AE Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment where differences are respected, voices are heard, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed

Requirements

• Professional Architecture Degree from an accredited school.
• Registered Architect required (preferably in one of the following States: Maryland, Ohio, Florida; or has NCARB certification that will allow State to State reciprocity).
• 8 years’ combined experience in Public Sector market project management and business development.
• Experienced in all phases of project master planning, programming, design, construction documentation and construction materials, including Public Sector-specific systems, FFE, and infrastructure.
• Strong interpersonal skills, verbal, listening and written communication, including client presentations.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with coordination of multiple design disciplines required for developing complete documents.
• Familiarity or proficiency in Revit.
• Strong knowledge base of building codes, standards, building structures, and engineering systems.
• Strong knowledge of Public Sector best practices, guidelines and standards, such as, but not limited to: ACA, NIC, and NCCHC.
• Ability to travel.
• Excellent analytic and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development strategies, plan, and achieve growth objectives, and achieve new award targets and other established metrics for key client accounts.
• Formulate client strategies and implement tactics that will successfully identify opportunities and win new sources of project revenue in the Public Sector Space.
• Engage with the Public Sector group in the areas of master planning, programming, studies, needs assessments, design, facilitating workshops and charrettes, sharing knowledge and experience within the Public Sector, including specific standards, guidelines and regulations, and guiding development and production of reports and documents.
• Collaborates with PRIME AE’s inter-office divisions – MEP, Structural Engineering, Civil/Landscape – as well as external subconsultants and Public Sector specialists.
• Conducts periodic on-site observation of work during construction to monitor compliance with Design and Construction Documents; and to coordinate photography for marketing use.
• May prepare client project proposals, presentations, studies, and reports.
• Familiarity or use of computer-assisted design software and equipment to review, and/or prepare project designs and construction documentation – specifically Revit is a plus.
• May direct activities required in preparing drawings and specification documents for the Conceptual Design Phase through Occupancy and closeout of the project.
• Develop relationships with client project managers to strengthen Business Development efforts, maximize existing contracts, and develop new opportunities.
• Work closely with AE Business Line leadership to identify resources required to secure projects and expand the Public Sector portfolio.
• Monitor industry trends, legislation, and public policy impacting federal, state, and local Public Sector clients.
• Develop partnerships and strategic alliances with potential teaming or joint venture partners.
• Monitor project schedules, contract compliance, and financial status.
• Work closely with AE Business Line leadership to report on business development initiatives, sales efforts, metrics, and accomplishments.
• Research and develop strengths and data to better position the Company within the Public Sector.
• Develop strategy, coordinate with the Marketing team, direct and assist in preparation of proposals and presentations in response to solicitations, and coordinate and participate in interviews.
• Attend Public Sector conferences.

Benefits

• Career Growth: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical expertise to project and people leadership.
• People-First Culture: We value trust, integrity, and collaboration, and we mean it.
• Meaningful Work: Projects that strengthen communities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
• Growth with Purpose: Strategic expansion backed by strong leadership and investment.
• National Reach, Local Feel: Big-firm resources with the agility and relationships of local offices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level