Architectural Practice Lead (GA)

Cities & Places At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking a driven and client-focused Architectural Practice Lead to join our team in Atlanta, Georgia , supporting Jacobs’ East Region. This role is ideal for a design leader who combines creative excellence with technical rigor, and who thrives on shaping the future of architecture across diverse s.

As an Architectural Practice Leader, you will champion design innovation and quality, mentor staff and deliver exceptional service to clients in the Buildings . You will bring a recognized presence in the industry, with experience delivering transformative projects in a variety of s, with demonstrated experience in corporate, commercial, hospitality, higher education, sports and entertainment, and urban regeneration-scale developments. You will also leverage your architectural expertise and previous buildings experience to lead multi-discipline teams in delivering innovative, sustainable solutions for our clients. This role requires direct engagement with clients and strong technical knowledge aligned with project scope.

You will collaborate closely with the Operations Director, Growth Director, and Client Account Managers for Cities & Places, and work in partnership with architectural leaders throughout the company to drive overall strategy and approach. For each project, you will interface with discipline leads, senior Project Architects, and Design Managers. You are accountable for project health—financial performance, team effectiveness, client relationships, safety, and quality.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will lead with a seller‑doer mindset—cultivating strong internal and external client relationships, identifying high‑value opportunities, and representing Jacobs as a strategic, trusted partner. You’ll guide design vision and technical excellence across complex, high‑profile projects while steering project performance, client satisfaction, and team collaboration.

You will:

• Champion design leadership by driving innovative, sustainable, and aspirational solutions for our clients.
• Apply deep architectural and technical expertise to ensure excellence in performance, quality, and safety across all project phases.
• Develop and maintain client networks; participate in key client meetings, presentations, and public engagements as a primary contributor and ambassador for Jacobs.
• Lead and influence critical decisions, including Go/No-Go evaluations and sector opportunity assessments.
• Partner with regional leadership—including Operations, Growth, Architecture, and Client Account Management—to shape strategy, growth, and positioning.
• Initiate, prepare, and review proposals;participatein RFP/RFQ interviews, including team formation, workplan development, and pricing strategy.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performance culture within project and design teams, promoting mentorship, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Guide the development, coordination, and quality of project documents in alignment with Jacobs’ Quality Program.
• Set, monitor, and act on Client Expectation and Client Satisfaction Survey feedback to ensure strong relationships and project success.
• Lead communication and engagement plans, conducting regular status reviews with stakeholders and clients.
• Monitor and manage project financial metrics, schedules, staffing, and risk mitigation strategies to maintain project health.
• Provide effective team leadership to enhance delivery efficiency, reduce costs, and add measurable business value.
• Ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations and maintain fully staffed, multidisciplinary teams for successful project delivery.

You will be accountable for overall project health—financial performance, team effectiveness, client relationships, safety, and quality—while elevating Jacobs’ reputation as a leader in design and delivery within the built environment.

What You Bring to the Table

You are:

• A recognized design leader with a proven portfolio spanning corporate, commercial, hospitality, higher education, sports and entertainment, and urban regeneration projects.
• Adept at balancing creativity with technical rigor—delivering design excellence while meeting performance, compliance, and client expectations.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program

• Professional Registered Architect (RA)
• 15+ years of AEC buildings experience as a client‑facing Architect, Design Project Manager, or similar role
• Strong involvement in professional organizations, with exceptional networking, presentation, and communication skills
• Demonstrated success leading multiple projects and mentoring cross‑discipline teams
• 5+ years of management experience with direct client engagement and full project responsibility, including end‑to‑end delivery of new construction projects
• 5+ years as a licensed Project Architect
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in multi‑discipline, multi‑office, and Global Integrated Delivery (GID) environments
• Solid understanding and application of project financial management

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Master’s degree in Architecture
• NCARB certification

#LI-KD1 #CNP

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

170,000.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

230,000.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $170,000.00 to $230,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on January 16, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Atlanta	Georgia	United States