Studio Principal

Little is seeking a Studio Principal with a specialized focus on Interiors for commercial workplace clients to join our Northeast Leadership Team.  Experience with GovCon, Government-adjacent, and Professional Services clients is necessary.

This Studio Principal will build a team of Interior Designers and Architects within our Northern Virginia office who specialize in the design and construction of Interior projects.  You will have the opportunity to grow, mentor and support a talented team of individuals dedicated to Interior 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 Interiors and discipline leaders from across the firm.

This position will also be part of our National Workplace | Mixed Use and Community Practice Groups, with a mission to collaborate across Studios through shared best practices, thought leadership, and resource maximization across our footprint as one unified team. 

Key Experience and Knowledge

This individual must have significant experience in Interior design and must be either an Interior Designer with NCIDQ Certification or a Registered Architect with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.  Additional experience in Base Building design can add to the ability to perform this role and grow market opportunities.   The ideal candidate has interior design, architecture and material knowledge, a commitment to design/technical excellence, document quality and an inspiring commitment to both client and team success.  An ability to communicate well and provide a safe, approachable and trusting workplace environment.

Consideration will be given to professionals who have demonstrated abilities in the following 6 key areas:

Primary Objectives

• 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.  Understanding of and expertise in the Washington, DC and Mid-Atlantic market is required.


• Design Practice & Project Execution: Possess deep experience in the understanding and execution of Interior projects. Lead our Studio’s Project Managers, Designers, and Technical staff in delivering design excellence, quality documents, and excellent customer service.  Collaborate with Practice Leaders and Design Partners to create and implement standards and practices that continuously improve project design, technical expertise, and the ability to become trusted partners for our clients.


• Financial Responsibility: Maintain strong studio profitability, allowing rewards to teams and the continued  investment in new processes, technologies and the firm’s competitive edge.  A clear understanding of Washington, DC and Mid-Atlantic market conditions that impact design fees and construction costs is necessary to maintain the ability to win work in a highly competitive market and to deliver project value aligned with our client’s goals. 


• 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 embraces and acts on “what is in it for the other person”.


• Leadership and Team Building: A selfless leader that embraces and exemplifies Little’s culture of Care, Stretch, and Spark.  A leader that cares deeply for their Studio team members, is committed to mentoring them and providing them with the opportunities to grow their skills and talents, and that will foster an environment that will allow them a path to achieve their career goals at Little.  A leader that can establish a vision & direction for the Studio’s future and inspire the project team to embrace and act on that vision.


• Thought Leadership:  Passion and a point of view for great spaces, complex projects, and the environments we impact are necessary to lead our internal teams and to keep Little at the forefront of the industry in the communities we serve and beyond.  

We believe in the power of design to transform people’s lives.  Our Brand Promise challenges each of us to elevate our client’s performance for measurable results. Our practice goals are aimed at designing:

• Experiences that matter


• Inspired Places that enhance the way we work and live


• Projects that do less harm

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. It is 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.

Want to know what it is like to work at Little? 

Check out our video!  https://vimeo.com/851727160/a5897aa234

***Anticipated salary range for this position: $150,000- $195,000; based on experience level. 

If this sounds like an opportunity that would be exciting for you, please send a letter of interest, your resume and portfolio for review.  

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.