Senior Architect / Educational Specialist – K-12
A nationally recognized architecture, engineering, and design firm is seeking a Senior Architect / Educational Specialist to join its growing team. This is an opportunity for an experienced architect with a strong background in K-12 educational design and programming to take a leading role in the development of innovative, high-performing learning environments.
The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of educational programming, planning, and design, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with educators, administrators, community stakeholders, and multidisciplinary project teams.
The Opportunity
- Lead the programming, planning, and design of K-12 educational facilities from early concept through construction administration.
- Work directly with school districts, educators, administrators, and community stakeholders to understand needs and translate them into thoughtful architectural solutions.
- Lead educational programming and needs assessments, helping clients define goals, priorities, and long-term facility strategies.
- Develop innovative learning environments that support collaboration, flexibility, student engagement, and evolving educational models.
- Provide senior-level architectural and technical leadership across projects, including design development, documentation, specifications, and construction administration.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to resolve design and technical challenges and ensure project quality.
- Participate in client presentations, community engagement meetings, workshops, and business development initiatives.
- Mentor and provide guidance to junior and mid-level staff while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
- Oversee project schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables while maintaining a high standard of design and technical quality.
- Conduct site visits and support construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, site meetings, and other project-related activities.
- Ensure projects meet applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, life safety standards, and other regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to proposals, presentations, marketing efforts, and the continued growth of the firm's K-12 practice.
What We're Looking For
- Licensed Architect with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
- 10+ years of professional architectural experience, with significant experience in K-12 educational design and/or programming.
- Strong experience leading mid-size to large-scale projects.
- Proven ability to lead programming, design development, documentation, and construction administration.
- Strong understanding of educational planning, programming, and current trends in K-12 design.
- Excellent knowledge of building codes, accessibility requirements, life safety, and construction methods.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and resolving complex design and technical issues.
- Strong client-facing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience mentoring and developing other architects and designers.
- Proficiency in Revit and familiarity with other BIM and project management platforms.
- Understanding of sustainable design strategies and various project delivery methods.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Willingness to participate in business development, professional organizations, and industry events.
Why Consider the Opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to play a senior leadership role within a growing K-12 practice, working directly with clients and communities to shape the future of educational environments. The position would be a strong fit for an architect who enjoys the combination of design leadership, educational programming, client engagement, and mentorship and is looking to have a meaningful impact on both projects and the broader practice.
