Senior Project Architect - Institutional

Huitt-Zollars is seeking a full-time Senior Project Manager / Senior Project Architect for its Alexandria, Virginia (NCR) office. This role will lead and support multidisciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle, from business development and client engagement through planning, design, construction administration, and closeout.

About the Role

The ideal candidate will have strong architectural delivery experience, proven client leadership skills, and the ability to manage complex institutional, healthcare, higher education, commercial, and public-sector projects from concept through construction. This position requires strong business judgment, clear communication, effective presentation skills, relationship-building ability, collaboration, and a positive, team-oriented approach.

As a practice, the Huitt-Zollars Institutional Practice Area brings together architects, engineers, planners, and program managers to deliver complex healthcare, higher education, federal, and public-sector facilities for mission-driven organizations across the Mid-Atlantic. We provide full-service project delivery, combining strategic planning, technical design excellence, and proactive project leadership to help clients achieve their operational, financial, and community goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all phases of project development, from proposal and planning through design, construction administration, and closeout, while supporting technical excellence, quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction.
• Lead technical design efforts for the office and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to produce design documents for a wide range of building types.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, developing and maintaining strong relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and understanding of client needs and project goals.
• Lead, coordinate, and collaborate with architects, engineers, designers, consultants, contractors, project managers, and project designers to achieve project objectives.
• Develop, monitor, and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets; ensure project development and documentation meet schedule, budget, code, and technical quality requirements.
• Review work for compliance with building codes, project requirements, budgets, firm standards, and regulatory requirements; facilitate quality assurance and internal review processes.
• Oversee contracts, subconsultant agreements, change orders, and compliance with contract terms and conditions in accordance with firm and client standards.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, prepare plans of action to resolve project issues, and ensure appropriate quality control and risk management practices are applied to projects and daily operations.
• Support proposal writing, fee development, interviews, presentations, negotiations, and new project pursuits in coordination with market sector teams.
• Prepare bids or assist with contractor selection processes and support construction administration activities throughout project delivery.
• Provide guidance, leadership, and mentorship to junior staff while contributing to a positive, productive, and collaborative team environment.
• Maintain expected Effective Labor Multiplier (ELM) on sum of all associated projects.
• Consistently uphold business processes including timely monthly A/R’s, invoicing, timekeeping, resource forecasting, percent completes, etc.
• Achieve personal sales goal and stated target personal utilization goal for PM.
• Understand, follow, and ensure quality control measures and risk management measures are being applied and adhered to projects and daily operations.

Requirements

• Registered Architect required; Virginia registration preferred or ability to obtain reciprocity.
• Bachelor's in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design required.
• Demonstrated architectural experience in an A/E environment, with experience managing or leading complex projects.
• Experience in institutional, healthcare, higher education, commercial, and/or public works markets preferred.
• Demonstrated building construction technical experience.
• Experience with design-build and other alternative delivery methods is a plus.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver multiple projects with varying deadlines.
• Strong understanding of building systems, architectural project delivery, contract administration, and construction documentation.
• Proficiency in Revit required; familiarity with AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, and other A/E design tools is a plus.
• Proficiency with project management software such as MS Project, Vantagepoint, Newforma, or similar platforms preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, graphic, organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Strong client-facing skills, negotiation ability, and capacity to interact effectively with owners, user groups, consultants, and internal teams.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship; Huitt-Zollars does not sponsor H1-B or other work visa petitions.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer, type/key-in data.
• Able to walk project site while wearing personal protective equipment.
• May lift and carry up to 25 pounds at times.
• Must be able to concentrate on details, work under deadline pressures, apply sound logic and judgment, and prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
• May be asked to walk on uneven terrain.
• May work in extreme weather conditions.

Benefits

• Health insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO).
• Dental insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO).
• Vision insurance (BCBS TX BlueChoice PPO).
• MDLive Telehealth.
• Employer-Paid Short- & Long-Term disability.
• 8 Paid Holidays.
• Employee Morale/Teambuilding events and activities.
• Paid Vacation/Annual Leave.
• Paid Sick Leave.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Professional Societies and Registrations Fee Reimbursements.
• Term Life / AD&D insurance.
• Cancer and Specified Disease insurance.
• Two retirement plans: 401(k) and an ESOP.
• Work for an Employee-Owned firm.

Pay

Annual Base Salary Range: $160,000-$180,000 and up depending on experience and qualifications. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on the candidate's individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and consideration to participate in our discretionary annual bonus incentive program.

About Huitt-Zollars

Huitt-Zollars, Inc. is a privately held, 100% employee-owned leading Architectural and Engineering (A/E) firm established in 1975. The firm provides innovative planning, engineering, architectural and interior design, construction and program management, and design-build services. Located in more than 20 locations throughout 11 different U.S. states, Huitt-Zollars holds a vision to improve the environment in which we live, work, and play. Employees/co-owners can expect to collaborate with their team, listen to client and community needs, and deliver world-class professional services.