Aviation Lead

SOM•Chicago, IL

8d•$125,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

SOM’s Airport Practice designs and delivers airport terminal buildings and supporting facilities for domestic and international projects, as well as airport-related architecture, interiors, and master planning. The Aviation Lead role requires advanced design and technical expertise, ownership of key portions of aviation projects, and a strong ability to organize and lead teams with limited oversight while mentoring junior staff. The successful candidate will excel in all aspects of airport project delivery, including client engagement, design-team and consultant coordination, and collaboration with project leaders. Candidates may be focused on Project Management, Architecture, or Terminal Planning, but must be strong leaders and collaborators with a demonstrated ability to lead project delivery while actively strengthening client relationships and contributing to the growth of the Aviation Practice.

Requirements

Professional degree in Architecture.
Licensed in state of practice; LEED accreditation preferred.
Minimum 12-15 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities specifically in Aviation sector projects and related business development.
Strong team abilities, and consultant engagement.
General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget and program.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite, Google Workspace, Revit, and Rhino.
Familiarity with Deltek Vision, Salesforce
Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.

Nice To Haves

LEED accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads the Architectural Project Team through close collaboration with SOM Partners and project leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success.
Strong understanding of architectural principles, practices, and design techniques, with a dedicated focus on airport facilities.
Prepares, with Leadership input, quality agreements with clients including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and professional service agreements.
Executes additional service agreements and gains authorization by phase.
Collaborates with Partners and senior team to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans to align project goals including budget, deliverables and schedule.
Gains agreement with the senior team for labor allocation.
Chairs weekly team meetings to address variances from the project plan.
Administers internal control procedures with Project Accountant including billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, and year-end activities.
Analyzes project reports and proactively manages the profitability of a project.
Participates actively in project design and technical discussions and decision making.
Communicates actively through chairing weekly meetings, issuing meeting minutes and accurate project record keeping and sharing project information and correspondence.
Manages owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM and team to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.
Actively leads new business and marketing efforts including responses to marketing requests and maintenance of firm relationships.
Initiates, monitors and maintains project schedule and work plan including schedule of meetings and presentations.
Schedules and leads internal team weekly project meetings; develops the meeting agenda and project status update.
Initiates, monitors and maintains project plan and financial performance of project.
Initiates and maintains SOM-Client Services Agreement, SOM Sub-Consultant Agreements and requests for additional services.
Monitors scope for contract compliance and potential additional services.
Actively engages in project risk management through close collaboration with SOM Partners and legal counsel.
Actively leads multiple projects and teams.
Established as an officewide resource in an area of expertise for market, discipline, or department.
Directly supervises, trains, and mentors team members.
Engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review, interviews, and leveraging personal network.
Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk.