DACON Corporation is seeking an accomplished Principal Architect to lead and advance our architecture practice, PDA Associates, providing strategic, creative, technical, and business leadership. The ideal candidate brings a strong balance of design vision, technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership capability, with a comprehensive understanding of how an architectural practice operates within a broader design-build organization. The Principal Architect will play a pivotal role in developing talent, mentoring and inspiring team members, strengthening client partnerships, identifying new opportunities, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team. This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking leader to shape the direction, growth, and long-term success of PDA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Sales & Marketing:
- Attend client sales meetings and presentations.
- Attend internal strategy meetings to develop creative strategies & schedules to meet clients’ needs.
- Proficient in site plan development and design for Industrial, manufacturing and distribution markets.
- Mentors staff in Sales presentation and process to build client relationship skills.
Design Leadership:
- Knowledgeable about principles of design, construction, engineering and building regulations.
- Establishes key design concepts, strategies and design positioning for PDA.
- Promote new and innovative methods of design and creative execution.
- Establishes written standards for design and trains all employees on standards.
- Motivate and influence teams to constantly strive for excellence in performance and quality.
- Convey and develop overall interactive team design vision.
- Manage design processes to ensure timely delivery of designs.
- Provide influencing ideas to enhance department productivity.
- Works with team to develop project programs and schematic drawings to meet the client’s needs.
- Provides design goals/concepts to project leader and reviews the work to ensure design goals/concepts are being met in the final product.
- Architect in charge; seals all permit drawings and project certifications.
- Assist Sales team by providing strategy input, attending site reviews and feasibility studies.
- Seek education and training for current best practices in construction technology.
- Performs review of all projects for technical quality, application of construction technology, energy conservation, and building code compliance.
- Supervises preparation of all correspondence with building and fire code officials.
- Evaluates risks and liabilities and makes appropriate recommendations.
- Mentor staff working towards architectural licensure.
- Attends periodic construction site visits at multiple stages of project to oversee project quality and code compliance.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:
Professional Experience: Registered Architect in All New England states with minimum 25 years’ experience.
Business Skills:
- Strong client presentation and communication
- Strategic thinker to be able to connect clients’ needs with building requirements.
- Must be passionate and determined about architecture and have the ability to teach the team both technical detailing and constructability.
Leadership:
- Encourages innovative ideas that are cost effective, client focused and of proven quality.
- Creates a work environment of integrity, efficiency, and professionalism.
- Guides, motivates and teaches staff regarding design.
Personal Character:
- Possessing the highest moral and ethical standards as well as a strong work ethic.
- Must be compassionate and objective with others. Have the ability to build open and honest relationships.
Corporate Awareness:
- Embodies corporate values