Cool young designers. Unauthentic Leadership.
Pros
The designers at OPN are some of the best. Most of the staff is younger, personable, involved in the community, and have a passion for creating meaningful spaces and creating trusting relationships with the client. The historic preservation department led by Scott Allen is some of the best in the Midwest. The different types of work is very diverse- from schools to music venues, to courthouses and wellness centers - there are opportunities to work on a multitude of project types. The benefits are in fact, very good. The 401K match is especially unparalleled in Des Moines. 100% health insurance is provided by employer.
Cons
A lot of the leadership is male, pale, and stale with an innate ability to mansplain, manipulate, and gaslight staff. Work/life balanced is preached but not actually respected. Unfortunately, the new President is as unauthentic as they come. He is calculated and condescending, especially to female staff. He is not the kind of leader that I looked up to nor would ever turn to for professional advice, unless I was in the mood to be belittled or pretend laugh at his awkward jokes. There has been a high level of amazing staff turnover because of this man’s fragile male ego.