Practice Director

Westside Build LLC•Santa Monica, CA

5h•$130,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Practice Director, Design-Build Overview Westside Build is a Santa Monica–based home builder that specializes in helping homeowners rebuild high-quality, resilient homes after disasters such as fires, guiding clients from initial concept through to move-in. Our process starts with a deep discovery phase to understand clients’ needs and preferences, followed by custom design, permitting, construction, and a final hand-over of the finished home. We emphasize efficiency, transparency, and craftsmanship, offering expedited rebuild options that can significantly shorten typical construction timelines. Westside Build also integrates sustainable and fire-resilient features into their homes to improve durability and performance. The Practice Director partners closely with Design, Preconstruction, Construction, and Operations leaders to scale the practice, drive profitability, and deliver exceptional client outcomes. You are a visionary leader who lives at the intersection of "what if" and "how to." You don’t just see blueprints; you see the finished masterpiece. You’re obsessed with the magic that happens when world-class architecture is fused seamlessly with precision construction. As our Practice Director, you won't just be managing a department—you’ll be the architect of our design-build evolution, running an architectural practice that is "attached at the hip" to our construction powerhouse. You thrive in environments where… The stakes are high and the impact is higher. You love the challenge of scaling a practice that changes lives by rebuilding homes and communities. Silos don't exist. You enjoy partnering across Design, Precon, and Ops to create a frictionless, integrated machine. Owning the drawing details and reviewing the sets for technical accuracy is your complete domain The P&L is your playground. You have an owner’s mindset, driving profitability and growth while maintaining an uncompromising standard for quality. Innovation is the default. You’re constantly refining workflows and standardizing excellence to eliminate "rework" from your vocabulary.

Requirements

12+ years of experience in design-build, construction, architecture, or integrated project delivery
5+ years in a senior leadership role with P&L responsibility
Proven track record delivering complex design-build projects on time and on budget
Deep understanding of design development, preconstruction, and construction execution
Strong leadership, financial, and operational acumen
Excellent communication and client management skills
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Construction Management, or Architecture preferred
Licensed Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE)
DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) certification
PMP, CCM, or similar project leadership credentials
High-end residential or commercial design-build environments
Experience scaling design-build teams or practices
Familiarity with prefabrication, off-site construction, or technology-enabled delivery
Experience operating in fast-growth or transformation settings

Responsibilities

Masterminding Strategy: Defining the roadmap for the design-build practice and partnering with Business Development to hunt and win the right projects.
Owning the Outcome: Taking full command of the practice’s financial health, KPIs, and operational efficiency.
Bridging the Gap: Championing "constructability" and value engineering, ensuring design and construction teams are in a constant, productive dance from concept to completion.
Building a Legacy: Leading, coaching, and mentoring a high-performing team of designers and builders, fostering a culture of extreme ownership and collaboration.
Being the Face: Serving as the executive sponsor for our most vital clients, ensuring their vision is realized with every brick and beam.