Managing Principal, Houston (Confidential)

Location

Houston, Texas

Position Overview

Our client, a highly respected Texas-based architecture and design firm specializing in educational environments, is seeking a Managing Principal to lead its Houston office. This confidential succession opportunity is ideal for an entrepreneurial architecture leader who combines strong operational leadership with a proven ability to generate business and deepen client relationships.

The Managing Principal will be responsible for the overall leadership, culture, growth, and performance of the Houston office while serving as a visible leader within the Texas K-12 community. This individual will be expected to drive revenue growth, cultivate strategic relationships with school districts and educational stakeholders, lead major pursuits, and mentor a high-performing team focused on design excellence and client service.

This is a true seller-doer role requiring a balance of business development, client leadership, office operations, and staff development.

Key Responsibilities

Office Leadership & Operations

• Lead all aspects of the Houston office, including financial performance, strategic planning, staffing, and resource management.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that attracts, develops, and retains top talent.
• Partner with executive leadership on office growth strategies and long-term business planning.
• Monitor office profitability, utilization, backlog, and project performance metrics.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to project managers, architects, and emerging leaders.
• Ensure consistent project delivery standards, quality control, and client satisfaction throughout the office.

Business Development & Market Growth

• Serve as a primary market-facing leader and ambassador for the firm throughout the Houston region.
• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan focused on expanding the firm's presence in the K-12 sector.
• Strengthen relationships with superintendents, school boards, facilities directors, bond planners, and educational stakeholders.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new project opportunities that support annual revenue and growth objectives.
• Lead interviews, presentations, strategic pursuits, and contract negotiations.
• Expand existing client relationships while developing new district and community partnerships.

Client Leadership

• Serve as Principal-in-Charge for key projects and client relationships.
• Act as a trusted advisor to educational clients throughout planning, design, and implementation efforts.
• Maintain a visible presence within educational organizations, industry associations, and community networks.
• Help position the firm as a thought leader within the Texas education market.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with firm leadership to establish and execute regional growth initiatives.
• Support long-range planning for the Houston office and broader education practice.
• Contribute to firmwide initiatives related to culture, innovation, design excellence, and operational effectiveness.
• Advance the firm's reputation through industry involvement, speaking engagements, and community leadership.

Qualifications

• Licensed Architect (RA) required.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible architectural experience.
• Significant leadership experience within an architecture, engineering, or design firm.
• Demonstrated success leading business development efforts and generating revenue within the K-12 market.
• Established network among Texas school districts, educational organizations, and industry influencers.
• Proven experience managing P&L performance, staffing, and office operations.
• Strong understanding of educational facility planning, bond programs, and K-12 project delivery.
• History of leading large client relationships and complex project pursuits.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.

Ideal Background

The successful candidate will likely possess:

• Deep experience serving Texas K-12 school districts.
• A recognized reputation within the education design community.
• Existing relationships throughout the Houston market.
• A demonstrated ability to win work, lead teams, and manage office performance simultaneously.
• A collaborative leadership style focused on mentorship, accountability, and growth.

Why This Opportunity

• Lead and shape one of the firm's most strategically important Texas offices.
• Influence the future growth of a respected education-focused design practice.
• Significant autonomy to drive business development and market expansion.
• Opportunity to build upon an established client base while expanding revenue and market share.
• Visible leadership role with executive-level impact on firm strategy and growth.

This position is best suited for a Principal, Senior Principal, Managing Principal, Education Practice Leader, Office Leader, or Regional Director who thrives in a seller-doer environment and is passionate about growing meaningful educational partnerships throughout Texas.