Senior Architect - Design Lead

A Senior Architect - Design Lead will be responsible for performing, directing, and leading all aspects of architectural design services on multi-discipline building design projects of moderate to large scope for commercial and government facilities.

By virtue of the knowledge and experience gained during their years of practice a Senior Architect will be capable of bringing their design talents and organizational skills to bear on their assigned projects. They shall serve as a role model and mentor to the architectural support staff and also participate in corporate activities to improve the design quality of our projects and the processes and procedures used during the design, documentation, and construction administration activities of a project. They shall also be actively involved in the marketing and business development activities of the company and develop strong professional and personal relationships with our clients, contractors, and consultants to foster repeat business.

General responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Performing all aspects of architectural design as a Senior Architect, including conceptual studies, programming, schematic documents, design development documents, and construction documents
• Concurrently leading several projects of moderate complexity and scope when required by schedule and/or resource constraints
• Meeting with clients to prepare and/or validate proposed scope of services
• Assist in presenting projects to clients, contractors, project team members, AHJ's, and members of the public through all stages of the project
• Managing the architectural portion of multi-discipline projects and working with assigned Project Managers to meet project budget, schedule, goals, and objectives
• Coordinating, supervising, and communicating all aspects of the architectural design within multi-discipline teams to ensure that architectural design details integrate properly with all other disciplines
• Communication with the Contractor on Design-Build projects to verify suitability of systems selected
• Directing and supervising the work of Architects, Interns, and Designers assigned to the project,
• Managing and supervising architectural support services associated with the bidding process, including preparing addenda and amendments and opening and tabulating bids
• Managing and supervising architectural support services associated with the construction phase, including field visits, answering RFIs, reviewing shop drawings, and preparing record drawings
• Ensuring staff compliance with quality control policies and procedures
• Working with, responding to, and taking direction from Managing Principals, Project Managers, Design Managers, and senior management
• Actively support Company marketing and business development activities
• Establish and maintain positive client relationships
• Provide technical guidance to architectural staff
• Mentoring and monitoring the professional development of architectural staff
• Assisting Department Director and Department Head in developing new and/or revised processes and procedures
• Representing the Managing Principal, Project Manager, or Department Head when they are unavailable
• Leading staff training sessions
• Providing input to Department Head on staff annual performance reviews

Project responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Performing Project Manager duties as assigned
• Serve in the role of Design Manager on projects as assigned
• Responsible for discipline design and documentation
• Responsible for discipline coordination of plans and specifications
• Develop discipline design approach and methodology
• Develop discipline project plan and production methodology
• Responsible for establishing discipline sustainable design approach
• Create and maintain project architectural design notebook
• Confirm project planning & program requirements
• Develop building systems analysis & selection
• Establish building envelope design components
• Establish building & site control dimensions
• Prepare scope and fee proposals for project architectural services
• Assist MP and PM in development of project proposals, budgets & schedules
• Review and approve discipline code analysis prepared by design team
• Review and approve discipline specifications prepared by the design team
• Respond to RFI's, Dr Check comments, etc.
• Lead discipline bidding and construction administration activities
• Perform discipline QA/QC reviews on assigned projects
• Back-check discipline QC team comments
• Monitor and adhere to project budget & schedule
• May require domestic and foreign travel

Education, Technology and Experience

• Bachelor of Architecture from an NAAB-accredited program -or-
• Masters of Architecture (MA must be from an NAAB-accredited program)
• Must be a fully licensed Architect in at least one US state, preferably in the local jurisdiction
• NCARB certified to facilitate licensure through reciprocity is preferred
• Understanding of sustainable design principles and design practices with LEED AP accreditation preferred
• Additional certifications such as CDT, CCS, or CCCA are encouraged to reflect personal growth in the profession and an ever-increasing knowledge base to enhance the design and documentation process
• A Senior Architect - Design Lead should be able to effectively utilize current company software programs for word processing, e-mail, accounting, and information management.
• Working familiarity with design and production software to a point of being able to understand the capabilities and limitations of the programs and interact with the support staff in their use of the software is highly desirable.
• A Senior Architect - Design Lead should have 10 years or more of significant design and practice experience in a leadership role with an architectural firm or a multi-discipline Architectural & Engineering firm.
• Experience as a lead designer or Architect in federal, state, municipal, healthcare, commercial, higher education or similar projects plus experience in Design/Build and CM at Risk project delivery methods is desirable.

Architects assigned to focus on our Science and Technology work may be given additional consideration for expertise and relevant leadership experience in academic research facility design, biotechnology research & development facility design, agricultural biotechnology facility design, pharmaceutical facility design as well as other building typologies involving the Life Sciences. Successful candidates will also have a strong history of leading the overall design development for these facility types and have a history of building and maintaining successful client relationships.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Provide design leadership and innovation, inspiring and guiding projects to successful outcomes
• Initiate aesthetically pleasing designs, translating ideas into visual representations using sketches, drawings, and modeling
• Collaborate with the design team to maximize project design efficiency and quality, avoiding false starts or rework
• Mentor junior designers and architects to foster a collaborative, innovative work environment
• Efficiently produce design ideas and solutions, serving as a firm resource across multiple projects and initiatives
• Independently lead and execute projects of the highest complexity
• Support firmwide design culture through activities like design pinups, initiatives, pursuits, and awards programs
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with team members and clients
• Proficient in software tools including Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, and others
• Collaborate with project management to develop and manage design budgets and schedules, ensuring alignment with project goals
• Possess a proficient understanding of architectural construction, contract documents, basic codes, and sustainability requirements
• Recognized as an architectural leader or subject matter expert within the firm and/or by clients
• Actively participate in professional and/or community organizations.

Physical Requirements

Work is sedentary and often performed in an office setting. The work area is lighted, heated, and ventilated. This position may require extended periods of standing, sitting, as well as some repetitive movements, bending and lifting of minimal weight. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Workplace Flexibility

We have selected two common days in the office to nurture collaboration and innovation and to support learning and growth through engagement with colleagues. We are asking everyone to be present on Mondays and Thursdays, with a required third day that will provide additional flexibility and be set between you and your supervisor (with consideration given to your project team members and clients). Our hope is that this schedule will offer the work-life balance that is desired by all, while providing consistent opportunities for face-to-face collaboration and mentorship.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Together we discover, inspire, and shape ideas that transform our world. We design for a greater purpose. Our culture results from a collective effort to innovate and inspire, to support and challenge to impact and transform. Great ideas are the result of collaboration between individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and passions. Our process advances communities through discovery and design. We believe ideas have the power to change the world.