POSITION TITLE: Firm Principal (Equity)

 

REPORTS TO: Navy Banvard & Jan Van Tilburg Co-Managing Principals

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WHO IS VTBS: Click Here

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POSITION OVERVIEW:

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VTBS is looking for a Firm Equity Principal as part of their firm’s succession plan. They are looking for an individual who can lead the firm into the next generation and beyond. As an Equity Principal for VTBS, you will be a leading architectural voice at the firm, guiding design projects for buildings and structures. VTBS expects everyone in the firm (including their Principals) to design and manage projects. You will be one of the firm’s executive members and will be guiding the firm into the future. You will be expected to assist clients through the planning and creation of fiscally responsible, award-winning designs, as well as manage multiple architectural projects from the conception stage (to include business development) through construction and completion; ensuring teams meet quality, schedule, contractual and budget goals, while leading and mentoring others through collaboration. You will have proven experience supervising and leading a team of Designers, Architects and Architects-in-Training, Engineering disciplines and Consultants. This position requires extensive knowledge of multi-family, mixed use, and urban high density architectural projects. Well-developed project management, client management and/or marketing abilities will be paramount to your success. In addition, you will use your partnering and relationship-building skills to establish new, and manage existing client relations; coordinating communication among all parties involved to maintain a project workload for business continuity.

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RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES:

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• VTBS is looking for a Firm Principal that loves (above everything else) being an Architect. As a Firm Principal at VTBS it will be expected that you will draw, design and manage projects as the principal-in-charge of that project. VTBS has several award-winning projects, and they pride themselves on quality work and quality service, they need a Firm Principal that shares those values. One that does not subordinate all of their work to ‘others’ in the firm. They want a leader that leads from the front and takes pride in their own work.

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• As a Firm Principal at VTBS, you will be directly involved and responsible for the direction of the firm moving into the future. Starting as an equal Principal to the other Principals, and then within short order, moving to the forefront as the leader of the firm and point person for the organization.

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• This role may carry the title and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer of the firm. As such, you will be expected to work alongside the firm’s current Chief Executive Officer (Navy Banvard) and be able to grow into the leader of the firm. Which will require you to manage the firm’s business dealings from operations, marketing, business development, finance, and all other functions that are outside the scope of traditional architecture.

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• VTBS acquires a good amount of their business from repeat clients. Having completed over 40+ projects for a single client (as an example), as one of the firm’s Principals, it would be expected that you currently have a network of clients, business partners, and leaders in the State of California that are in the following verticals: multi-family, urban high-density, and mixed use. It is imperative that you feel comfortable working with and calling on these clients as opportunities for VTBS. To be a successful Firm Principal, it is understood that there is a business development aspect to this role.

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• Leaders are expected to lead at VTBS! Everyone “checks their egos, at the door!” As a Firm Principal at VTBS, you will be the principal-in-charge of projects for the firm, but in addition you will be the leader at the firm directly. You will be expected to exemplify professionalism, empathy, and integrity over the staff at VTBS. VTBS has a storied history of great service and happy team members, it will be imperative that you are the type of leader that leads from the front.

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• As one of the Managing Principals at VTBS, you will be working hand-in-hand with the Principals to set a bold future direction for the firm. Understanding the ever-changing world of architecture, you will be required to navigate a future that provides continued success, while keeping the firm’s ethics and values.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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• Impeccable professionalism and integrity.

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• An active State of California Architecture License is required.

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• Bachelor’s degree in architecture is required, however a master’s degree in an architectural related program (is highly preferred). 

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• 20+ years of experience in Architecture.

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• Extensive experience in multi-family, urban high density, and mixed-use architectural projects in the State of California (an in-depth portfolio, will be required for consideration).

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• 10+ years of experience as a leader/manager in an architectural firm in the State of California.

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• Must be able to work in-office, specifically you must be willing to work in the firm's headquarters, in Santa Monica, California.

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CONTACT PARTNER-IN-CHARGE OF THE SEARCH DIRECTLY: 

 

Tim DeMers, Managing Partner 

Frederick Andrews

(949) 355-3070 (Direct)

tdemers@fredand.com 

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