Architect Director Position Available In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

STV is seeking an accomplished, well-rounded architectural leader to head our Architecture practice in the Philadelphia office and help advance our national Buildings practice. This senior leadership role is for a professional with equal strength in management, design excellence, and technical delivery — with a strong portfolio in Higher Education and public sector work. The Head of Architecture will work closely with other studio leaders nationwide and partner directly with the National Director of Architecture to elevate design standards, ensure technical rigor, and help shape the firm’s architectural practice at the national level.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the Philadelphia Architecture practice — setting local design vision, driving technical quality, and cultivating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and staff growth. Direct complex building projects from planning and concept design through construction documentation and closeout — ensuring innovation, constructability, and client satisfaction. Be a visible leader in Higher Education and public markets — engaging with clients and stakeholders to win and deliver impactful projects. Collaborate with senior leadership and business development teams — supporting strategic pursuits, proposals, interviews, and thought leadership. Actively contribute to STV’s national architecture practice — sharing best practices, aligning standards, and partnering with peers and the National Director of Architecture to drive excellence firmwide. Mentor and develop architectural staff at all levels — building a cohesive, high-performing studio that attracts and retains top talent. Oversee multiple project teams and resources — ensuring budgets, schedules, and deliverables consistently meet STV’s standards and client expectations.

Qualifications:

Professional degree in Architecture; active U.S. architectural license required. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Minimum 15 years of progressive experience delivering complex building projects, including significant Higher Education work. Proven leadership success in balancing design, technical excellence, and project management. Demonstrated ability to build client trust, represent the firm publicly, and win work. Advanced proficiency with Revit/BIM workflows and standard industry design tools. Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills, with the confidence to lead local teams and collaborate at the national level.

Why Join STV:

You’ll play a key role in driving the growth and quality of our Philadelphia Architecture practice while shaping the direction of our national Buildings group. We offer the opportunity to lead meaningful projects, work with dedicated colleagues, and grow your career in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Compensation Range:

$140,810.99 – $187,747.98 Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At STV, we are fully committed to expanding our culture of diversity and inclusion, one that will reflect the clients we serve and the communities we work in, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. STV offers the following benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (16 days)
• Paid Holidays (8 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner.

The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications. STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 60 offices and 3,200 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 34th in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 11th in its transportation category. STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world-class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations. In 2022, STV further reinforced this commitment by signing the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge, becoming one of the first AEC firms to take action in expanding opportunities in infrastructure. Learn more at stvinc.com. STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more. STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.