Lead and grow the Higher Education practice in Southern California by driving business development, serving as Principal-in-Charge on complex education projects, providing project and financial oversight, ensuring quality control, and mentoring staff while representing the firm in industry and community networks.
Are you a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for shaping the future of education environments in K-12, higher education or both? 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 lead, grow, and elevate our education practice in San Diego.
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 Education market.
As an Associate Principal or Principal, you will…
Lead and Help Lead and Grow the Education 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: $158,300-$220,500 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 Education market.
As an Associate Principal or Principal, you will…
Lead and Help Lead and Grow the Education Practice
- Serve as the regional leader for the Education market, building and sustaining strong client relationships throughout the San Diego region 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 West Coast professional network within the Community College, Higher Education and/or K-12 market.
- 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.
- 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: $158,300-$220,500 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 Irvine, California, USA Office
Irvine, United States
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