Design Principal - Interior Design

Overview:

Design Principal, Interior Design Practice

Location: Sacramento, CA

HGA is seeking a visionary Design Principal to help lead and grow our Interior Design practice in Sacramento, CA. This is an opportunity for a recognized design leader to shape inspiring environments, strengthen client relationships, drive business growth, and influence the future of design across our Healthcare, Workplace, and other market sectors.

As a Design Principal, you will serve as a strategic partner in the pursuit, marketing, and delivery of work. You will guide clients through complex design challenges, lead multidisciplinary teams toward innovative solutions, and be accountable for the successful execution of projects from vision through implementation. Working alongside firm leaders, you will help build and sustain a thriving local, regional, and national practice that reflects HGA's values, culture, and commitment to design excellence.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of leading award-winning projects, cultivating meaningful client relationships, and inspiring teams to deliver exceptional outcomes. You balance creative vision with practical execution, understanding how thoughtful design, business performance, and collaboration come together to create lasting impact.

In this role you will:

Design Culture

• Demonstrate a commitment to Holistic Design through a collaborative, inclusive design process and team culture across all disciplines.
• Exemplify empathy, curiosity and originality in the pursuit of ideas and through their interactions with clients, consultants and staff.
• Work authentically and openly with colleagues, fostering a strong mentorship culture to develop others for growth and leadership.
• Partner with applicable Market Sector Leaders, Office Directors and Practice Group Leaders to recruit, retain, mentor and develop design leadership. Responsible for fostering design conversations, critique and overall culture at the scale of an Office, Practice Group or firm wide.

Design Leadership

• Collaborate with Principals-in-Charge, Market Sector Leaders, business developers, marketing support and thought leaders to position HGA for the best projects in their markets and/or regions.
• Assists in identifying strategic targets, writing proposals and designing the interview.
• Manage client interaction and decision making relative to design.
• Ensure that the clarity and quality of the design concept is maintained in the details.
• Collaborate with the Principal-in-Charge, the Project Manager and other team leaders to establish an appropriate project budget and schedule and monitors adherence to both.

Design Reputation

• Engage and collaborate with other Design Principals to elevate design and grow/maintain HGA’s national design brand.
• Collaborate with Principals-in-Charge, Market Sector Leaders and Marketing and Communications to prioritize and refine what and how we communicate our work regionally and nationally.
• Represent HGA in the marketplace and design community through participation on boards, committees, authorship and speaking opportunities.

What you will need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or related field from an accredited program
• 15+ years of experience working on small to large scale project types.
• NCIDQ or CID accreditation required
• Proven leadership and project management skills with a track record of successfully delivering projects
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with both team members and clients
• Ability to oversee and be responsible for all aspects of project delivery, ensuring timely and quality results
• Proficiency in Revit, SketchUp, and other industry-standard software, alongside expertise in Microsoft Office product

Salary Information:

The pay range listed aligns to the geography of the office for which this position is posted. Actual compensation will be based upon work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Individuals in this role working more than 24 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in HGA’s robust benefit programs which include an annual bonus and success sharing bonus program, 401(k) guaranteed contribution, paid parental leave, medical, dental and life insurance plans as well as PTO and short- and long-term disability programs. Salary Range: $154,000 to $168,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

 Additional Information:

HGA is a place where you can do your best work. We believe that enduring, impactful design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. We value empathy, are fueled by curiosity, and embrace the hard work that leads to innovation. Equally important is our commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity and diversity where we encourage your originality, respect the need for flexibility and work-life balance, and empower your desired career growth. HGA is a national award-winning interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering.

Learn more about us here.

Application Requirements & InstructionsPlease submit resume and portfolio for consideration.