Leads and grows the civic architecture practice through client relationship management, business development, strategic planning, project oversight, financial performance, quality assurance, and talent development. The role serves as Principal-in-Charge for complex education and public-sector projects, develops proposals and staffing plans, mentors professionals, and represents the firm across Southern California civic markets.
Are you a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for shaping the future of civic environments? Do you thrive at the intersection of design excellence, market growth, and mentoring high-performing teams? If so, we’re looking for you: an Associate Principal or Principal to help lead, grow, and elevate our civic project practice in Irvine.
This role blends executive leadership, business development, and project oversight, offering the opportunity to influence firmwide strategy while building meaningful, long-term client partnerships. You’ll play a key role in advancing our mission, vision, and standards of excellence within the Civic market.
As an Associate Principal or Principal, you will…
Lead (or Help Lead) and Grow the Civic Project Practice
The Must-Haves
The Like-to-Haves
Why You’ll Love Lionakis…
At Lionakis, people and design come first. You’ll find:
Salary Range: $169,100-$230,500 annually. Compensation and level DOE.
Studies have shown that underrepresented individuals like women; LGBTQIA+; and BIPOC, among others, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications in a job description or posting. Because we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, we understand the best candidate may come from a non-traditional background to our field of work. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described above. Diversity makes us better.
This role blends executive leadership, business development, and project oversight, offering the opportunity to influence firmwide strategy while building meaningful, long-term client partnerships. You’ll play a key role in advancing our mission, vision, and standards of excellence within the Civic market.
As an Associate Principal or Principal, you will…
Lead (or Help Lead) and Grow the Civic Project Practice
- Serve as a leader of the Civic market, building and sustaining strong client relationships throughout Orange County and Southern California.
- Collaborate with Market and Firm leadership to develop and execute long-term market and practice strategies.
- Provide leadership for planning, programming, design, and project management across a portfolio of complex education projects.
- Participate in firmwide leadership initiatives, strategic planning efforts, and management committees.
- Lead marketing and business development efforts aligned with the Firm’s strategic plan.
- Identify and pursue new market opportunities, including team formation, proposal development, and participation in interviews.
- Represent the Firm at industry events and within professional and client networks.
- Meet or exceed performance metrics related to business development, contracts secured, and client satisfaction.
- Serve as Principal-in-Charge for assigned projects, overseeing quality, profitability, staffing, and revenue performance.
- Review and develop fee proposals, service scopes, and staffing plans to support project success.
- Support project managers with contract negotiations, additional services, and financial performance monitoring.
- Lead Quality Control/Quality Assurance efforts and champion Firm standards and lessons learned.
- Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing work environment.
- Act as a mentor and coach to support professional growth, leadership development, and succession planning.
- Collaborate across studios, markets, and disciplines to support Firm-wide initiatives and shared goals.
The Must-Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or interior design (or equivalent) and a minimum of 16 years of relevant professional experience.
- Established Southern California professional network within justice, government and other public sector project markets.
- Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- California Licensed Architect
The Like-to-Haves
- LEED accreditation.
Why You’ll Love Lionakis…
At Lionakis, people and design come first. You’ll find:
- A collaborative, design-forward culture that values creativity, mentorship, and shared success.
- The chance to shape stories that impact real communities.
- Hybrid work flexibility, every-other-Friday off options, and a comprehensive benefits package (bonus plan, 401(k) with match, health/dental/vision, generous PTO).
- A workplace deeply committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – in our projects, our people, and our culture.
Salary Range: $169,100-$230,500 annually. Compensation and level DOE.
Studies have shown that underrepresented individuals like women; LGBTQIA+; and BIPOC, among others, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications in a job description or posting. Because we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, we understand the best candidate may come from a non-traditional background to our field of work. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described above. Diversity makes us better.
Lionakis Oakland, California, USA Office
Oakland, United States
Lionakis San Jose, California, USA Office
San Jose, United States
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