Director of Operations

AEB Strategic Talent is representing a highly recognized Architecture firm in search of a Director of Operations Leader.About the CompanyA well-established and growing architecture and design organization is seeking a senior operations leader to help drive the day-to-day performance, organization, and continued growth of its DFW-based practice.About the RoleThis is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an experienced architecture professional who has demonstrated the ability to bring structure to a complex design organization, develop strong teams, improve accountability, and ensure projects and people are positioned for success. The ideal candidate may currently hold a formal operations or practice leadership title, or may be an experienced architect, project leader, studio leader, or practice manager who has naturally taken on many of these responsibilities and is ready for a broader leadership role.ResponsibilitiesProvide senior-level leadership and operational oversight for the architecture and design practice.Establish clear accountability, expectations, and performance standards across teams.Partner with senior leadership on business strategy, organizational priorities, and growth initiatives.Oversee staffing, resource allocation, recruiting, retention, and talent development.Monitor workload, utilization, schedules, budgets, and other key business and operational metrics.Help ensure projects are appropriately staffed, organized, and positioned for successful delivery.Support project teams in maintaining quality, schedule, scope, and client expectations.Collaborate with leadership on proposals, scopes of work, fees, contracts, and business development initiatives.Identify opportunities to improve processes, communication, efficiency, and consistency across the practice.Develop and mentor emerging leaders while fostering a collaborative, accountable culture.Serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership and provide insight into operational opportunities, challenges, and priorities.Help create an environment where teams can perform at a high level while maintaining strong client relationships and design quality.QualificationsBachelor's or master's degree in architecture, design, business, or a related discipline preferred.Required SkillsSignificant professional experience within architecture, interiors, or a closely related AEC environment.Proven experience leading teams, studios, projects, or business operations.Strong understanding of the business side of architecture, including staffing, fees, scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource planning.Demonstrated ability to establish accountability and improve organizational effectiveness.Strong communication and relationship-building skills with both internal teams and clients.Experience leading cross-functional teams and developing other professionals.Sound business judgment and the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational needs.Familiarity with current architecture technology, BIM, and project delivery platforms.Preferred SkillsProfessional architecture experience and licensure are strongly preferred.The OpportunityThis position is ideal for someone who has already been operating at a leadership level, whether or not their current title reflects the full scope of what they do. If you are the person others rely on to solve problems, organize teams, improve processes, keep projects moving, and connect the dots between people and business performance, this could be an opportunity to step into a broader leadership role.