Principal Architect

Dacon•Natick, MA

About The Position

DACON Corporation is seeking an accomplished Principal Architect to lead and advance its architecture practice, PDA Associates, through strategic, creative, technical, and business leadership. The role calls for a balance of design vision, technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership, along with an understanding of how an architectural practice operates within a broader design-build organization. The Principal Architect will help shape PDA’s direction, growth, and long-term success by developing talent, mentoring and inspiring team members, strengthening client partnerships, identifying opportunities, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team. The position includes leadership in sales and marketing, design direction, project quality and technical review, and staff development. The Principal Architect establishes design concepts and standards, guides teams through design processes, supports client strategy and feasibility work, seals permit drawings and project certifications, and oversees selected construction site visits for quality and code compliance.

Requirements

Registered Architect in all New England states.
Minimum 25 years of experience.
Strong client presentation and communication skills.
Ability to connect client needs with building requirements through strategic thinking.
Passion and determination for architecture, with the ability to teach technical detailing and constructability.
Ability to encourage innovative ideas that are cost-effective, client-focused, and of proven quality.
Ability to create a work environment characterized by integrity, efficiency, and professionalism.
Ability to guide, motivate, and teach staff about design.
Highest moral and ethical standards and a strong work ethic.
Compassionate and objective approach to others, with the ability to build open and honest relationships.
Ability to embody corporate values.

Responsibilities

Attend client sales meetings and presentations.
Attend internal strategy meetings to develop creative strategies and schedules that meet clients’ needs.
Develop site plans and designs for industrial, manufacturing, and distribution markets.
Mentor staff in sales presentations and processes to build client relationship skills.
Establish key design concepts, strategies, and design positioning for PDA.
Promote innovative methods of design and creative execution.
Establish written design standards and train employees on those standards.
Motivate and influence teams to pursue excellence in performance and quality.
Convey and develop the overall interactive team design vision.
Manage design processes to ensure timely delivery.
Provide ideas to improve department productivity.
Work with the team to develop project programs and schematic drawings that meet client needs.
Provide design goals and concepts to project leaders and review work to ensure those goals and concepts are reflected in the final product.
Serve as architect in charge and seal permit drawings and project certifications.
Support the Sales team with strategy input, site reviews, and feasibility studies.
Seek education and training on current best practices in construction technology.
Review projects for technical quality, use of construction technology, energy conservation, and building code compliance.
Supervise preparation of correspondence with building and fire code officials.
Evaluate risks and liabilities and make appropriate recommendations.
Mentor staff working toward architectural licensure.
Attend periodic construction site visits at multiple project stages to oversee quality and code compliance.