Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment Practice Leader

Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment Practice Leader

Perkins&Will is seeking an accomplished, dynamic, and motivated Practice Leader and Market Builder for Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment in the Dallas office. This senior leadership opportunity focuses on shaping, growing, and leading the firm’s Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture practice in the Dallas office while remaining directly engaged in the leadership and delivery of projects.

This role is designed for a licensed architect who brings deep market credibility and a proven ability to grow business, build high‑performing teams, and deliver design and delivery excellence. As Practice Leader, you will set the market strategy for Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture in the Dallas area guiding business development, pursuit strategy, and long‑term client relationships.

We are seeking an individual with at least 15 years of professional experience. The ideal candidate has demonstrated a track record of growing high‑impact, high‑quality Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture design practice, strong client and industry relationships, and a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Role & Key Responsibilities

Practice Leadership, Strategy, and Growth 

• Develop and drive a strategic business plan for Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture in collaboration with the Firmwide Practice Leader, Studio Managing Directors, and Studio Practice Leaders. 

• Guide studios in shaping Strategic Action Plans (SAPs), sales strategies, and investment priorities aligned with firmwide objectives. 

• Lead client engagement, business development, and strategic pursuits, including capture planning, teaming strategies, and execution. 

• Make informed go/no‑go decisions and shape long‑term account strategies to grow a sustainable regional practice. 

Project & Client Leadership 

• Provide senior leadership and accountability on select Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment projects from concept through construction and, where applicable, operations. 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, bringing sound business judgment and strategic oversight to complex projects. 

• Ensure excellence in design quality, client experience, financial performance, and risk management. 

• Work closely with Design Principals, Project Managers, and technical leaders to translate practice vision into successful project outcomes. 

Talent Development & Succession 

• Partner with studio and regional leadership on strategic hiring, succession planning, and leadership development. 

• Leverage regional talent effectively across pursuits and project delivery. 

• Mentor emerging leaders and strengthen the regional leadership bench, building a diverse and sustainable talent pipeline. 

Thought Leadership & Market Presence 

• Advance Perkins&Will’s leadership in Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture through insights on industry trends, innovation, sustainability, and equity. 

• Collaborate with Marketing and Practice Leaders to elevate thought leadership, exemplar work, and individual expertise through external communications and media. 

Community Building & Design Excellence 

• Foster collaboration, shared learning, and alignment across studios and with other Regional Practice Leaders. 

• Champion a culture of Living Design excellence and innovation, ensuring the firm’s values are embedded across pursuits, projects, and public engagement. 

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture 

• Active architectural licensure

• Proven record of growing and leading a high‑impact Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment architecture practice, including winning work and shaping markets 

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion 

• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long‑term vision and near‑term execution 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills  

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples. Include your resume and a compact, representative sample of your work (no larger than 4MB).

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

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