Civic Principal

Civic Principal

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves:
What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe architecture is more than designing buildings, it's about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities.

As part of our Architecture practice at HDR, you'll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks and infrastructure, your work will directly influence how individuals experience the world around them. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration.

From championing design excellence with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability to pioneering innovative building technologies, your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the built environment. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.

This is a unique opportunity to join the HDR Architecture practice in the Omaha Metro region as our Civic Principal. HDR has a broad definition of Civic Architecture that includes project types ranging from infrastructure in collaboration with our engineering teams, to public sector civic projects including courthouses, justice facilities, parks and recreation, public safety, development agencies, and public housing, among others.

The focus will emphasize communities throughout the Omaha Metro region, Nebraska, and the broader Midwest for state and local government projects. While HDR's Omaha presence is deeply rooted across multiple market sectors, the local practice has laid the groundwork for building a strong civic team with impactful, community-focused work and trusted client relationships—building on the incredible legacy of projects such as the Holland Performing Arts Center, Kiewit Luminarium, KANEKO, Douglas County Justice Center, RADIUS, Siena Francis House, Food Bank for the Heartland, Charles Schwab Field, Baxter Arena, Downtown Branch Library and Omaha Central Library.

We are now seeking the right individual to help expand and elevate the Civic Practice in the region. The range of public typologies could be broad and dynamic, including but not limited to administrative and service buildings in collaboration with workplace experts, urban design and planning initiatives with Calthorpe/HDR, and community-centered architecture such as libraries, sports and recreation facilities, arts and culture venues—building on HDR's experience across offices nationwide and globally.

Depending on the connections that the selected candidate brings, we are also interested in expanding into select private-sector opportunities, including social and market-rate housing, transit-oriented development, retail, and mixed-use environments. The Civic practice will collaborate closely with HDR's Justice practice, serving overlapping public clients, and with the Health practice to advance service-enriched housing solutions for vulnerable populations.

The primary responsibility of the Civic Principal is to grow and develop the Civic architecture practice in the Omaha Metro region and beyond. The successful candidate will bring established relationships with relevant clients and the enthusiasm to build new ones, along with a strong track record of leading the design and delivery of successful projects as either Project Principal or Senior Project Manager.

A commitment to the AIA's Framework for Design Excellence, engagement with professional and/or community organizations, and an entrepreneurial spirit are essential. The Civic Principal will also embrace and promote HDR's culture of inclusion and diversity and help identify and mentor future leaders within the Civic program.

Practice Leadership Responsibilities:

• Lead the local Civic practice. Grow a well-balanced, multi-disciplinary team in HDR's Omaha Metro office; assess staffing capabilities; recruit, develop, and sustain expertise; and foster a design-driven, top-tier practice. Work closely with the Managing Principal, Project Managers, Design Principals, and Civic Sector leadership to achieve practice and office goals.
• Collaborate with firmwide Civic leadership. Partner with national Civic leaders on key initiatives, investments, and strategies to drive growth, win work, and strengthen…