Practice Leader of Faith-Based Design (Hybrid)

At Browning Day, our portfolio spans a broad range of project types within civic, cultural, healthcare, higher education, faith-based, hospitality, mixed-use, preservation and reuse, sports and wellness, and the workplace. Our success is based on the client's vision coming to life and includes a team of Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, and support staff who play a part in solving complex design problems.

We seek a mission-driven Practice Leader of Faith-Based Design who understands the nuanced design needs of sacred spaces and the communities they serve, including functional requirements, theological considerations, and the decision‑making processes inherent to delivering meaningful faith-based projects. The ideal candidate will grow into a Principal role, supporting the growth of our faith-based market and serving clients across all denominations.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

• Develop strong client relationships within the faith-based market.
• Provide mentorship on faith-based projects.
• Support annual revenue goals.
• Learn to lead proposal teams on RFP/RFQ responses and negotiate contractual agreements with collaboration and approval from the corporation's officers. 
• Be the liaison of the client vision internally and oversee transitions of primary contacts to the client throughout the project.
• Collaborate with faith-based client leaders to design spaces that reflect the client’s theological values, liturgical functions, and community needs.
• Integrate sacred art, action, symbolism, and environmental stewardship into solutions.
• Participate in industry-focused organizations, memberships, and communities within faith-based markets, aligned with business development initiatives.
• Proficiently market and promote Browning Day’s markets, services and capabilities.
• Partnership with design leaders to create congruent creative design solutions.
• Promote innovative design concepts that are practical, aesthetically pleasing, safe, code-compliant, and meet the client’s intended purpose and budget.
• Incorporate and consider sustainable design solutions into all projects.
• Support the firm's continuous improvement initiatives in alignment with Operations and the Executive Committee leadership.
• Responsible for project results, working with Project Managers to ensure quality standards, schedule, budget, and design compliance.
• Advise operational leadership on schedules and team makeup on faith-based projects.
• May oversee programming efforts, including information gathering, site analysis, and inventory of existing conditions, identifying opportunities and constraints.
• Provide guidance to project teams at all stages of the project, from planning and concept design to construction documents and site visits. Including timelines, documentation, distribution of meeting minutes, QA/QC, and coordination with contractors and consultants.
• May lead projects in a Project Manager capacity or partner with a Project Manager.  
• Maintain knowledge of building codes, accessibility standards, liturgical practices, and design practices.
• Partner with Human Resources (HR) on employee performance, training, and onboarding.
• Responsibilities vary based on experience, interests, and business needs.
• Other tasks as assigned

Browning Day provides reasonable accommodation to individuals in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for the industry and leading the staff towards a common goal.
• Possesses creative talent in the communication of complex and diverse ideas. 
• Foster mutual trust by developing solid relationships (internal and external).
• Ability to lead the internal team and external consultants toward the common goal. 
• Time management skills, including balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and managing time without deadline-driven projects.
• Excellent communicator: verbal, written, presenting, training, and public speaking.
• Advanced leadership expertise, including leading high-stakes presentations, facilitating consensus in diverse groups, adapting messaging across audiences, navigating complex group dynamics, and cultivating strategic professional networks.
• Aptitude to learn Browning Day’s leadership and management fundamentals by partnering with HR to ensure compliance with our company’s best practices and policies.
• Advanced experience consulting on faith-based projects, including 

• • Faith-based architecture, master planning, design, liturgical furnishings, sacred art, and documentation.
  • Religious requirements and traditions impacting design needs. 
  • Creating sacred spaces that are cohesive, symbolic, and beautiful; and 
• Proficient-to-advanced knowledge of the following:
  • Design techniques, tools, and principles in producing technical plans, drawings, and models; and
  • Zoning, codes, ADA/FHA/accessibility requirements, and applicable codes about site design considerations.
• Preferred proficient-to-advanced experience in the following:
  • MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint);
  • Scheduling software (Team Gantt);
  • Knowledge of SketchUp, Revit,
  • Online project management software.
• Preferred experience in master planning, project management, faith-based school design K-12, community space, and/or sacred spaces.
• Licensed Architect with preferred experience level of 7+ years in architectural design, and 2+ years in faith-based design,
• Preferred Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Satisfactory completion of background screening.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Full-time, exempt position with competitive compensation and paid time off.
• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and other supplemental insurance.
• Company paid disability (long and short-term) and life insurance.
• A 3% contribution to a 401k retirement plan with no vesting period.
• Opportunity to earn an annual bonus.
• Hybrid-remote work environment with flexible schedules.
• Chance to be a part of a creative and supportive team.

Browning Day believes that diversity drives innovation and collaboration. We are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, merit, and business needs. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, national origin, race, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.