Managing Director, Seattle

Managing Director

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Lead the studio's management team with a deep understanding of diverse markets, supported by finance, operations, marketing, business development, talent manager, digital practice, and design delivery leaders
Partner with the Design Director and Operations Director (MOD) and other studio leaders to guide day-to-day decisions and long-term planning
Facilitate leadership conversations among Principals and MOD, aiming for value alignment and consensus while holding ultimate accountability for collective decisions
Represent the studio in firmwide forums, including monthly Managing Director calls, and Managing Director meetings, and leadership discussions with the CEO, President, CFO, CMO, and firmwide Director of Operations
Build and protect a strong, design-driven studio culture that values inclusion, creativity, and collaboration
Establish talent strategies that foster trust, transparency, and engagement at all levels
Demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills, sound judgment, and discretion; proactively addresses challenges, maintains confidentiality, and remains composed under pressure
Inspire and motivate through authentic leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to growth and equity
Set and achieve annual studio revenue (NSR) and profitability goals in partnership with practice leaders, finance, and operations
Monitor performance indicators and financial health, making adjustments to ensure sustainable growth
Collaborate closely with marketing and Client Engagement Leaders to align positioning, pipeline, and pursuits
Navigate and successfully manage critical client relationships in partnership with studio Client Engagement Leaders as needed with the goal of building successful long-term client relationships

What You’ll Do

Studio Leadership & Management

Lead the studio's management team with a deep understanding of diverse markets, supported by finance, operations, marketing, business development, talent manager, digital practice, and design delivery leaders
Partner with the Design Director and Operations Director (MOD) and other studio leaders to guide day-to-day decisions and long-term planning
Facilitate leadership conversations among Principals and MOD, aiming for value alignment and consensus while holding ultimate accountability for collective decisions
Represent the studio in firmwide forums, including monthly Managing Director calls, and Managing Director meetings, and leadership discussions with the CEO, President, CFO, CMO, and firmwide Director of Operations

Studio Culture & Talent

Build and protect a strong, design-driven studio culture that values inclusion, creativity, and collaboration
Establish talent strategies that foster trust, transparency, and engagement at all levels
Demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills, sound judgment, and discretion; proactively addresses challenges, maintains confidentiality, and remains composed under pressure
Inspire and motivate through authentic leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to growth and equity

Sales & Financial Performance

Set and achieve annual studio revenue (NSR) and profitability goals in partnership with practice leaders, finance, and operations
Monitor performance indicators and financial health, making adjustments to ensure sustainable growth
Collaborate closely with marketing and Client Engagement Leaders to align positioning, pipeline, and pursuits
Navigate and successfully manage critical client relationships in partnership with studio Client Engagement Leaders as needed with the goal of building successful long-term client relationships

Business Development & External Engagement

Represent Perkins&Will in the community and in the marketplace—serving as a connector, speaker, and ambassador
Engage with professional organizations, boards, public commissions, and client networks to elevate the Seattle studio’s presence and thought leadership
Shape public perception of the practice through writing, speaking, and active leadership in key industry and client sectors

Who You Are

You lead with empathy, clarity, and vision. You're a relationship builder and team builder—able to connect strategy with execution and people with purpose. You're deeply passionate about design, but equally grounded in business acumen and operational excellence. You know how to protect culture, challenge the status quo, and create space for others to lead and thrive. Above all, you inspire trust and align people around a shared future.

What You Bring

15+ years of leadership experience in architecture or design, including leading a practice or studio
A strategic, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent leadership style
Demonstrated success in business development, revenue growth, and team management
Strong financial literacy and the ability to guide a profitable practice
Proven ability to align diverse stakeholders and lead through consensus
Licensed architect or designer with deep knowledge of the Seattle market
LEED GA (or commitment to attain within 6 months); additional Living Design credentials encouraged
Member of a relevant professional organization (e.g., AIA)

Compensation & Benefits

At Perkins&Will, we foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay range for this position is between $225,000 and $295,000 commensurate with qualifications. This position is also eligible to participate in the Firm’s Incentive Compensation Plan. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees including, medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA accounts, 401k with employer match, PTO and paid holidays, short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, commuter benefits, life insurance, and learning and development opportunities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Seniority level

Seniority level
Executive

Employment type

Employment type
Full-time

Job function

Job function
Business Development and Sales
Industries
Architecture and Planning

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Location:: Seattle
Salary:: $250,000 +
Job Type:: FullTime
Category:: Management & Operations

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