Studio Principal

Little is seeking a passionate and highly capable Community Studio Principal for our Southern California office. Specific emphasis and responsibility for this position is someone who is engaged on key projects, in front of our clients providing thought leadership and guidance and always puts their team members first.

The Community Studio Principal will lead a team of people who specialize in the design and construction of a variety of Community projects including K-12 schools, Higher Education, Recreation, and Civic buildings.  You will have the opportunity to mentor and build a team of individuals dedicated to community projects, while collaborating daily with your team and leaders within the office and across the firm. You will have access to a wide range of resources as you partner on a regular basis with Community and Corporate leaders from across the firm.  Candidates must be a registered architect to be considered for the position.

Our firmwide community practice portfolio includes extensive experience in a multitude of project types, including sports & recreation facilities, public safety facilities, student centers, student housing projects, performing arts centers, and medical education & health science buildings.

Primary Objectives

• Design Expertise & Execution: Possess deep experience in the execution of Community based buildings. Working with our design partners to continuously improve the quality of our work through thoughtful design that enhances our client’s performance, is critical to our firm’s future.


• Business Development: Initiate and develop new business opportunities through professional networks, strategically targeting new clients and existing client relationships with an ability to identify, be considered for, and win new work. Integrate a strategic Business Development plan for developing new business, creating revenue and profitable growth.


• Client Satisfaction: Possess a deep conviction for client satisfaction. Become a trusted advisor to our clients and earn client loyalty through subject matter expertise, client care, and service. We are looking for someone who focuses on “what is in it for the other person”.


• Financial Responsibility: Maintain strong studio profitability, allowing us to reward our people and continue to invest in new processes, technologies and our competitive edge. A clear understanding of market conditions that impact cost is necessary to serve our clients.


• Leadership & Team Building: Create team success through clear communication, mentoring, motivation and vision. The ability to grow the National Practice by working productively toward common goals with peers in other offices, our diversified disciplines and their leadership teams. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are critical to the success of this role.


• Thought Leadership:  Passion for public spaces, complex projects, and the environments we impact are necessary to lead our internal teams and to establish Little at the forefront of the industry in the communities we serve and beyond. It is critical to understand leading trends in higher education across public and private sectors, as well as technological innovations that are impacting the industry and the architectural design process.


• Commitment to Regenerative Outcomes: Regeneration is a step beyond sustainability. It’s about working to restore ecosystems through our projects. It’s a different way of finding solutions by expanding our thinking to how we can use design to have a positive effect on multiple things at once: economic, environmental, social and human health results - by harmonizing the design solution with those interdependent parts. Rather than focusing on singular issues, this represents a “whole systems” approach to design. Our trans-disciplinary team structure provides an ideal platform for collectively leveraging all of our expertise to address these solutions.

We believe in the power of design to transform lives.  Our Value Proposition challenges each of us to deliver exceptional, measurable results to our clients. Our Brand Promise is aimed at designing:

• Experiences that matter.


• Inspired Places that enhance communities.


• Buildings that have a positive impact on our environment

***Anticipated salary range for this position:  $150,000- $190,000; based on experience level. 

 Why Little:

Little is a place where you will be surrounded by colleagues who have different areas of expertise, are from different cultures and generations, and embody different talents, experiences, and passions. If you ask our employees what keeps them excited about coming to work each day, you will hear that it is the people. Itis also our culture and the chance to be part of creating a better future through our work. We embrace a culture of teaching and learning through cross-mentoring that spans generations, disciplines, talents, and interests and we strive to give each person exposure to the widest possible array of experiences. We care intensely about our clients and each other, and we do our best to spark a spirit of creativity and excitement in everyone around us.

It's the spirit of discovery that often brings people to the West Coast.  It is that spirit, along with a passion for great design, that unites our aspiration of growth. Our only location to be adorned with a 1957 Camper (fully restored and renovated by employees), this wildly creative workspace inspires staff and clients to use their imaginations and rethink what's possible. Outside of the office, you can often find this team supporting their community and building a culture of giving. Curious what it’s like to work at Little? Check out our video!  https://vimeo.com/851727160/a5897aa234

 If this sounds like an opportunity that would be exciting for you, please share a resume and letter of interest to: 

Little is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, Little prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Little is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected] or a member of our HR Team.