Director of People & Culture

Studios Architecture•Washington, DC

7d•$150,000 - $180,000

About The Position

We are a team of architects and designers who believe that people are at the heart of everything we create. As Director of People & Culture, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping not only our team experience but also our collective impact. We offer a dynamic, creative, and supportive work environment where your leadership will make a lasting difference. Role Overview We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and people-centric Director of People & Culture to lead and elevate the employee experience within our architecture firm. This role is intentionally balanced: equal parts operational HR leadership (including payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and core people systems) and strategic partnership in strengthening talent and culture practices across our California, DC, and New York teams. The Director will ensure that our foundational HR operations run seamlessly and with rigor, while also supporting a high-trust, performance-driven culture where people collaborate deeply, deliver exceptional design work, and enjoy being part of the team. The ideal candidate brings strong technical HR expertise alongside the ability to partner regionally with leaders to align hiring, performance management, professional development, and team norms across offices. You will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, a champion for our people, and a steward of the firm’s values—ensuring both operational excellence and consistent, thoughtful people practices across geographies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field or equivalent certification (SHRM-CP or SCP, PHR or SPHR) required.
8+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, people operations, or a closely related business function, with demonstrated growth in scope and responsibility; at least 3 years partnering directly with senior leaders or leading complex people initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders — building credibility, influencing decisions, and navigating change with sound judgment.
Strong working knowledge of multi-state employment law, HR compliance, benefits, payroll, and employee relations, including experience managing sensitive or complex matters (e.g., investigations, visas, performance challenges).
Clear, confident communicator and practical coach who can guide leaders through difficult conversations while maintaining fairness and discretion.
Appreciation for high-performing, design-oriented environments and a genuine interest in understanding how the firm’s work gets done.
Based in one of our operating cities (New York, Washington DC, or San Francisco) with the ability to travel between offices approximately 2–3 times per quarter.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a professional services environment (architecture, engineering, consulting, design, legal, or similar) strongly preferred, with an understanding of project-based work and client-driven performance expectations.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted partner to Principals, Associate Principals, Office Managers, and team members across CA, DC, and NY offices on all issues related to HR, talent, and culture.
Develop a deep understanding of the firm’s design work, project cycles, client demands, and regional dynamics to ensure people practices support outstanding client delivery.
Partner with regional leadership to strengthen hiring, team effectiveness, performance standards, and leadership capability — recognizing that culture is shaped locally and supported centrally.
Contribute to firm-wide workforce planning, succession discussions, and organizational design in alignment with growth goals.
Oversee and execute core HR operations including payroll, benefits administration, compensation, compliance, HRIS management, and employee records.
Manage complex HR matters such as visa sponsorships, multi-state employment compliance (CA, DC, NY), and employee relations issues with discretion and legal rigor.
Maintain and update policies, employee handbook, and internal systems to ensure clarity, fairness, and compliance.
Ensure smooth onboarding, offboarding, and lifecycle processes across all offices.
Partner with Principals and Associate Principals on recruiting strategy and workforce planning to attract and retain high-caliber design and operational talent.
Guide performance management processes that promote accountability, professional growth, and clear expectations.
Support leaders in providing effective coaching, feedback, and development conversations.
Strengthen career pathways, mentorship, and continuing education aligned with both individual aspirations and firm needs.
Collaborate with regional leaders to reinforce a high-trust, high-performance environment where teams are supported to do their best work.
Gather and analyze feedback to identify themes impacting morale, workload, collaboration, and retention — and partner with leaders to address them.
Support DEI and inclusion efforts in ways that are practical, embedded in daily work, and aligned with the firm’s values.
Advise firm leadership on people-related decisions including promotions, compensation, team design, performance challenges, and growth planning.
Provide practical coaching to managers on leadership, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and accountability.
Participate in firm-wide planning discussions as the voice of people, capacity, and long-term sustainability.