Head of Architecture & Design (Full Time, Florida) 6420

Head of Architecture & Design (Full Time, Florida)

Are you a seasoned Architect with two decades of experience designing custom homes in South Florida, ready to take full ownership of an entire department? Do you enjoy leading design from the first concept through fully engineered, permitted plans, while keeping the work buildable and not just beautiful? We're looking for a Head of Architecture & Design to run the architecture function at a growing custom residential design-build firm in South Florida.

This is a department-head role, not an execution seat. You'll own architecture, 3D rendering, and interior design end to end, reporting directly to the firm's owner and operating with the autonomy of a principal: setting the quality standard, managing structural and consulting engineers, and shaping how the department runs day to day. The firm works on fixed-price contracts from concept design through permitted plans, has grown from roughly $300K to $3M in revenue with a clear path to $5M, and needs someone who can turn architecture into a well-run, profitable engine of that growth. This is a full-time opportunity aligned with South Florida (Eastern Time) working hours.

BetterPros unlocks human potential by offering competitive compensation, flexibility, constant learning and growth, and the opportunity to work anywhere you want with one of our +130 active clients across the United States.

What you'll do

• Take full ownership of the architecture department, covering architecture, 3D rendering, and interior design, and run it independently with minimal supervision.

• Lead custom residential projects end to end, from concept design through design development to full construction drawings.

• Produce and oversee Schematic Design deliverables, including 3D modeling, SD sets with floor plans, sections and elevations, exterior renderings, and picking up redlines.

• Advance projects through Design Development, including 3D modeling and complete DD sets.

• Deliver Construction Document packages, including permit sets for local authorities, CDs for the general contractor, high-quality interior and exterior renderings, and redline coordination.

• Create ultra-realistic 3D renderings in SketchUp and D5 that meet a high visual standard for client presentations.

• Manage structural and other consulting engineers throughout the project lifecycle to ensure fully coordinated, integrated delivery.

• Apply solid structural knowledge so that every design is technically sound and constructible, not just visually strong.

• Ensure all documentation complies with South Florida building codes and local permitting requirements.

• Lead and mentor the existing architecture resources, raising quality and consistency across every deliverable.

• Improve the department's processes, timelines, and resource allocation to strengthen its profitability.

• Handle multiple custom homes, additions, and remodeling projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, organization, and responsiveness.

What you must have

• 15+ years of experience in architectural design. 20+ years is strongly preferred.

• Residential experience in South Florida specifically, covering custom homes, new construction, additions, and remodeling.

• Strong proficiency in both AutoCAD and Revit. Both are required, not one or the other.

• Demonstrated ability to produce ultra-realistic 3D renderings in SketchUp and D5.

• Interior design capability as part of your own scope. This role covers architecture, rendering, and interior design together, not architecture alone.

• Solid structural knowledge and the judgment to keep designs buildable while protecting the design intent.

• Proven full lifecycle ownership, from concept design through fully engineered, permitted construction drawings.

• Experience coordinating and managing structural and other consulting engineers.

• Advanced English level with excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to run a department independently, at the level of someone who has operated like a firm owner.

• Exceptional organization and the ability to move forward with minimal hand-holding or step-by-step direction.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively without sacrificing quality.

A great plus

• Experience building out or running an architecture department or studio.

• Familiarity with fixed-price design-build contract models.

• A track record of improving the profitability, margins, or processes of a design function.

• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, or Illustrator for presentation materials.

• Experience with Rhino or other additional modeling tools.

• Experience leading remote or distributed design teams.

We’ve got the opportunity, you’ve got the talent. We want to hear from you! Apply now.