Sr. Manager, Architect

Stanford Health Care•Menlo Park, CA

51d•$84 - $111•Hybrid

About The Position

Stanford Health Care (SHC) is seeking a licensed Architect to take primary responsibility for the entire design phase of healthcare construction projects. This individual will serve as SHC’s architectural representative, ensuring that all design efforts consistently reflect and advance Stanford’s brand and deliver environments that enhance both the patient and staff experience across campuses. The Architect will be accountable for defining, communicating, and stewarding the architectural identity and design character of SHC facilities, ensuring that the organization’s vision for excellence in the built environment is clearly conveyed to internal teams, external consultants, and project partners. While this role is engaged across the full project lifecycle - from early conception through post-occupancy - the primary focus is on leading and managing all aspects of the design phases. This position reports directly to the Director of Design and provides leadership in building and managing a high-performing Architectural and Design team.

Requirements

Licensed Architect (preferred).
Bachelor's degree in architecture from an accredited program (preferred).
15+ years of progressive architectural experience, with at least 5 years in healthcare design and planning (preferred).
Demonstrated expertise in leading all design phases of construction projects (programming through post-occupancy).
Strong understanding of project delivery methods, including design-build and design-bid-build.
Experience managing and mentoring teams of design professionals.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain 3D renderings, drawings, and the SHC design identity to both design consultants and non-design stakeholders.
Proven ability to represent and uphold institutional brand identity in architecture and design.
Knowledge of healthcare regulatory standards, codes, and sustainable practices.
Proficiency with design and project management tools.

Responsibilities

Ownership of the Design Phases
Pre-Design / Conceptual Design - Develop initial concepts, explore design options, and align with SHC’s mission, brand, and user experience goals.
Schematic Design (SD) - Translate concepts into preliminary plans, layouts, and massing studies for review and feedback.
Design Development (DD) - Refine the design, establish detailed systems, and coordinate across disciplines to ensure alignment with operational requirements.
Construction Documents (CD) - Review drawings, specifications, and technical documents that clearly define the design intent for execution.
Bidding / Procurement Support - Provide design documentation and input as needed to support contractor selection while safeguarding design quality.
Post-Occupancy Evaluation - Collect feedback from users after occupancy to assess design effectiveness, inform continuous improvement, and evolve SHC’s design standards.
Project Lifecycle Engagement (Beyond Design)
Provide architectural insight during early project conception, feasibility studies, and master planning.
Remain engaged during construction administration to ensure fidelity to design intent (without direct responsibility for construction delivery).
Support long-range campus planning and integration of SHC’s design standards into future projects.
Team Leadership & Development
Manage and mentor a team of architectural and design professionals, fostering growth, collaboration, and accountability.
Recruit and develop staff with backgrounds in architecture, interior design, healthcare planning, and related design disciplines.
Provide guidance and professional development opportunities to team members, ensuring their growth into future leaders.
Establish team processes, best practices, and quality standards for design execution.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Develop and present design materials to governance boards, executive leadership, and other decision-making bodies
Clearly explain 3D renderings, design drawings, and spatial layouts in both verbal and written form to stakeholders of varying backgrounds.
Act as SHC’s design representative across all phases, ensuring Stanford’s architectural brand and design identity are consistently applied.
Serve as the voice of SHC’s architectural vision, clearly articulating the design character of Stanford Health Care facilities to design teams, consultants, vendors, and project partners.
Collaborate closely with internal partners, including the Facility Services Department and other Stanford Medicine departments, to align design with operational needs and institutional goals.
Engage with clinicians, administrators, executives, and community representatives to integrate diverse perspectives into design solutions.
Communicate complex architectural ideas in clear, accessible language to audiences with limited or no design experience.
Collaborate with external vendors, consultants and design team.
Regulatory, Compliance & Sustainability
Ensure all designs comply with codes, healthcare regulations, and SHC design guidelines.
Partner with planning and entitlement teams to navigate land use, zoning, and jurisdictional reviews.
Promote sustainable and resilient design practices, incorporating standards such as LEED certification.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Stay current on healthcare design and Architectual trends and innovations to inform SHC’s projects.
Incorporate lessons learned from post-occupancy evaluations to strengthen SHC’s design standards and future work.
Advocate for design excellence as a cornerstone of SHC’s patient and staff experience.
Incorporate AI to Design phases