Studio Director – Institutional

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An established architecture and engineering practice is seeking a Studio Manager to lead its Public sector studio. This is a senior, fully accountable leadership role with responsibility for studio performance, including financial results, project delivery, staffing, and client relationships.

The Public sector portfolio includes complex institutional work across government buildings, civic and municipal facilities, cultural and community spaces. These projects involve multi-stakeholder coordination, strict regulatory frameworks, and a high standard of technical execution.

This role is intended for an experienced leader who has already managed teams, overseen financial performance, and led multiple projects or portfolios and is ready to take full ownership of a studio.

The Role

As Studio Manager, you will be responsible for the overall business success of the Public sector studio. You will lead planning, execution, and performance across all projects, ensuring delivery aligns with quality, schedule, and financial targets.

You will oversee staffing and resource allocation at a studio level, balancing workload, utilization, and team capacity. You will contribute to and manage the studio’s operating plan, monitor results, and adjust strategy as required to meet business objectives.

You will also play an active role in client management and business development, maintaining relationships and supporting new opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Studio Leadership & Financial Accountability

• Own full P&L responsibility for the studio, including revenue, profitability, and utilization
• Develop, implement, and manage the annual operating plan aligned with growth objectives
• Monitor performance and report regularly to senior leadership, adjusting strategy as needed
• Ensure financial discipline across all projects and studio operations

Project Oversight & Portfolio Management

• Lead planning and scheduling across all studio projects
• Oversee project budgets, work plans, and delivery strategies
• Participate in and lead monthly project reviews to assess performance, risk, and profitability
• Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across the full project portfolio

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Maintain and grow key client relationships
• Contribute to and lead business development initiatives, proposals, and presentations
• Monitor client satisfaction and service delivery standards across the studio

Design & Technical Oversight

• Provide senior level guidance on design, building systems, and construction methodologies
• Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and regulatory requirements
• Review project work to maintain technical excellence and consistency

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead staffing strategy, workload planning, and resource allocation
• Manage and mentor senior staff, including Project Managers and team leads
• Conduct performance reviews, salary and bonus evaluations, and promotion recommendations
• Drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability, quality, and collaboration
• Oversee health and safety compliance for all field-related activities
• Lead succession planning within the studio
• Maintain strategic involvement in project work where appropriate

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in architecture
• Demonstrated experience managing teams, including senior staff and project leaders
• Proven track record of managing financial performance, including budgets, forecasting, and utilization
• Experience overseeing multiple concurrent projects or a full project portfolio
• Strong knowledge of architectural design, documentation, and delivery processes
• Solid understanding of building systems (structural and MEP), codes, and permitting
• Experience in Public sector or institutional projects is strongly preferred
• Registered with OAA (preferred)
• Eligible to obtain Secret security clearance

Who This Role Is For

This role is suited to a proven leader who is already operating at a senior level and is comfortable being accountable for both project outcomes and business performance.

You have managed teams, led complex projects, and taken ownership of financial results. You are confident making decisions, setting direction, and holding standards across multiple areas of responsibility.

You are looking for a role where you can apply that experience at a broader level, leading a studio, shaping its performance, and driving its continued growth.

This is a leadership position with real accountability, offering the opportunity to oversee a significant Public sector portfolio and play a key role in the direction of the practice