Design Review Coordinator

KIAWAH ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION•Kiawah Island, SC

13h•$65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Design Review Coordinator provides administrative and architectural review support for the Kiawah Island Community Association’s Design Review functions. The position ensures that applications for improvements, construction, and exterior projects are received, distributed, and reviewed according to Association governing documents and design guidelines, and tracks projects through final inspection. The coordinator supports the Design Review Department’s daily operations and serves as the first point of contact for architects, designers, contractors, and KICA Members. The role works closely with the Director of Design Review, the Design Review Board, and the inspection process.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of administrative, project coordination, permitting, or architectural review experience.
Minimum 2 years of plan review experience, including demonstrated proficiency interpreting architectural plan sets, construction documents, landscape plans, and site layouts; experience in a municipal planning department, architectural firm, or HOA review board context.
Ability to read surveys, site plans, floor plans, elevations, and landscape plans and identify missing submission materials.
Excellent judgment, objectivity, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Proven ability to work in a board and volunteer environment.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and driving record check.
Maintain a valid South Carolina Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or associate degree in architecture, landscape architecture, construction management, planning, historic preservation, or a related field.
Previous experience with permitting software.
Previous experience working with Architectural Review Boards or Planning departments.

Responsibilities

Support design review administration, including application intake, review coordination, approvals, and communications with applicants.
Receive submittals and payments and check submissions against published requirements before sending them for review.
Maintain accurate application-tracking records from intake through final inspection, including current status, conditions, and decisions.
Sort applications into the appropriate category and review track under the Director’s guidance.
Route applications to consulting professionals when engaged by the Director and log their written findings.
Review plans against community design guidelines for aesthetic conformance to Kiawah’s Design Standards.
Learn and carry forward the existing approval workflow while coordinating the transition with current external ARB staff.
Follow and help refine operational procedures for timely, professional handling of applications.
Maintain application, approval, and decision records, and update property records after decisions, revisions, inspections, and close-out.
Prepare disclosures of Association Design Review activities for posting to the Association website and coordinate Design Review website material with the communications department.
Maintain forms, checklists, and web content, and produce monthly volume and turnaround reports.
Track application fees, deposits, permits, and other design review revenue in coordination with Association Financial Controls.
Support the Director in operating the department in accordance with KICA policies and approved budgets.
Coordinate with livability staff regarding architectural-standard violations and close-out inspections.
Track approved plans, approval conditions, and Notices to Proceed through construction and final inspection.
Schedule site visits and inspections and assist with site photographs and field documentation.
Maintain separation between application review records and enforcement records where required by Association policy.
Provide staff support to the Design Review Board and the Association’s design advisory committee.
Coordinate meeting agendas, materials, supporting documentation, notices, and posting deadlines.
Prepare presentations for Design Review Board meetings, including drawings, site photos, and staff notes for each agenda item.
Set up Design Review meeting spaces and operate presentation equipment.
Take meeting minutes and draft decision letters and approval conditions for the Director’s signature.
Serve as the first point of contact for KICA Members and their contracted design professionals and contractors regarding procedures and requirements.
Explain submission requirements, fees, review timelines, and application status to applicants.
Use discretion and tact when handling confidential matters involving staff, property owners, Board members, and committee members.
Communicate professionally with the Director, staff, committee members, Board of Directors, KICA Members, Realtors, architects, contractors, building officials, and others.