Values the Sustainability of the Built Environment yet Struggling with Management and Leadership - Anonymous employee SERA Architects Employee Review

3.0
27 Mar 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

SERA's best strength is a culture that values the sustainability of the built environment, the Portland locale, and bicycling to work. Many of the people were great to interact with. Individual empowerment to effect change was idealized.

Cons

Management is not skilled at leadership and nor are they pulling together to achieve a common vision. The subdivision of the company into studios led to rivalries, cliques, and boundaries between groups. IT was unnecessarily complex and difficult to navigate. Currently the company is going through an identity crisis: high design or analytical architecture.

Explore other reviews about SERA Architects

5.0
31 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There have been a lot of positive changes over the last few years, resulting in quicker decision-making and a new, refreshing perspective. The transition to female-led leadership has brought a modern energy to the company, opening up a variety of new project opportunities and clear potential for professional growth.

Cons

Change takes time. While the leadership is moving fast, the overall organizational shift can feel a little slow for those of us eager to see the "new" version of the company fully realized.

5.0
12 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Lots of positive momentum over the past year. The new female-led leadership team has brought clarity, decisiveness, and great new energy. Still offers strong benefits, medical, dental, PTO, etc. And we’re a dog-friendly office now, which has honestly been the best.

Cons

The firm is redefining itself, and that can take time.

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