Historic Preservation Senior Architect

Historic Preservation Senior Project Architect / Principal

Location: Baltimore, MD (Preferred) | Richmond, VA

We are seeking a Historic Architect / Historic Preservation Lead to establish, lead, and grow a historic preservation practice while serving as the firm's technical authority on preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects. This individual will play a critical role in preserving culturally and historically significant resources while helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements and project challenges.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in historic preservation with strong leadership, business development, and client management skills. They will work closely with firm leadership, project teams, public agencies, and preservation organizations to deliver thoughtful, contextually responsive solutions that honor historic resources while meeting modern needs.

Key Responsibilities

Practice Leadership & Business Development

• Lead the strategic growth and development of the firm's historic preservation practice.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities within the preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse sectors.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, interviews, presentations, and client relationship management.
• Build and maintain relationships with public agencies, preservation organizations, institutional clients, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to integrate preservation expertise into broader architecture, planning, and design initiatives.

Historic Preservation & Project Delivery

• Lead preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects from assessment through construction administration.
• Conduct historic building assessments, existing conditions evaluations, and historic structure reports.
• Develop preservation strategies that balance historical integrity, project goals, building performance, and client objectives.
• Prepare and oversee preservation-related drawings, specifications, technical documentation, and construction details.
• Ensure projects comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and other applicable preservation guidelines.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and specialty preservation professionals throughout all phases of project delivery.

Regulatory Compliance & Agency Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison with State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), local preservation commissions, review boards, and other regulatory agencies.
• Guide projects through Section 106 review processes and other historic preservation approval requirements.
• Manage historic preservation tax credit applications and associated documentation.
• Provide strategic guidance on preservation regulations, incentives, and compliance requirements to project teams and clients.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as the firm's subject matter expert on historic preservation best practices, materials conservation, and adaptive reuse strategies.
• Mentor architects, designers, and emerging professionals on preservation principles and project execution.
• Develop internal preservation standards, resources, and training programs.
• Promote design excellence through historically informed, context-sensitive design solutions.

Qualifications

• Licensed Architect required.
• Professional experience leading historic preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects.
• Strong knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and preservation regulations.
• Experience working with SHPOs, preservation review boards, and Section 106 processes.
• Familiarity with historic preservation tax credit programs and application procedures.
• Proven ability to lead projects, manage client relationships, and contribute to business development efforts.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Experience mentoring staff and building technical expertise within a design practice.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a historic preservation practice within an established architecture and design firm. The role offers significant influence over the strategic direction of the practice, the ability to lead meaningful preservation and adaptive reuse projects, and the chance to become a recognized leader in the preservation community while mentoring the next generation of preservation professionals.