Director, Architecture & Engineering

NYCSCA•New York, NY

1d•$131,026 - $223,098

About The Position

The Director, Architecture and Engineering, DCMS-Capacity, reports to the DCMS-Capacity Studio Lead and provides senior design and management leadership for Capacity projects, stand-alone buildings for CIP projects, path-of-travel CIP projects, and Playground and Athletic Field projects within an assigned borough. The Director supports the Studio Lead in delivering these project types while ensuring alignment with Authority standards, Department of Education requirements, regulatory requirements, project schedules, and quality expectations. The role requires strong architectural judgment and a sophisticated understanding of high-quality design. The Director oversees work by highly regarded architectural practices, engaging design teams credibly and assessing design quality and technical rigor while ensuring projects meet practical public-school delivery requirements, including constructability, durability, maintainability, schedule, budget, and regulatory compliance. The Director establishes priorities for the assigned unit, ensures staff effectively manage consultants under contract to the Authority, and holds internal staff and external consultants accountable for the quality, completeness, coordination, and timely delivery of their work. The position also provides pre-design, design, and construction-phase support; contributes to Department strategies and standards; and mentors staff. Field visits are required. The position has a salary range of $131,026–$223,098.

Requirements

Eleven years of full-time architectural and/or engineering experience on major building projects, including all design phases of construction and renovation of school facilities.
Five years of experience in an administrative or management capacity in an architectural, architectural/engineering, or engineering/architectural design organization, or a satisfactory combination of education and experience, subject to stated qualifications.
Bachelor of Architecture (professional five-year degree) or Master of Architecture from an accredited program; the posting also lists a baccalaureate in architecture, engineering, or a related field.
Architectural licensure required; the certifications section lists NYS Professional Engineer or NYS Registered Architect through the New York State Department of Education.
Demonstrated design acumen and ability to recognize, evaluate, and advocate for high-quality architecture and design excellence.
Significant professional experience in architectural design, preferably involving complex institutional, civic, educational, or other public-facing projects.
Ability to lead design dialogue with nationally and internationally recognized architectural practices and provide credible, constructive direction to senior design professionals.
Strong knowledge of architectural design processes, design rigor, multidisciplinary coordination, quality assurance/quality control, constructability, and design documentation.
Strong understanding of project management, including scope, schedule, budget, risk, consultant performance, and issue escalation.
Demonstrated experience managing teams of 10 or more staff and leading through professional accountability, coaching, and clear performance expectations.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with executive leadership, internal stakeholders, consultants, and other project participants.
Ability to balance design quality with public-school capital delivery requirements, including regulatory compliance, durability, maintainability, cost, and schedule.
Working knowledge of Bluebeam Revu and strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools.
Eligible to work in the United States; the SCA cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Significant architectural design experience with complex institutional, civic, educational, or other public-facing projects is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage staff within the designated architectural and engineering unit of DCMS-Capacity and support the Studio Lead in setting priorities, workload, and project delivery expectations.
Direct the unit’s pre-design, design, and construction-phase support services for Authority projects.
Provide senior design leadership and review consultant work for design quality, technical rigor, functionality, constructability, durability, maintainability, and multidisciplinary coordination.
Manage sophisticated architectural and engineering consultants and engage senior design principals while balancing design excellence with Authority standards, public-sector requirements, schedule, budget, and operational needs.
Ensure consultant submissions are complete, coordinated, code-compliant, responsive to project requirements, and suitable for review and implementation at each design and construction phase.
Ensure scope development and design services are timely, cost-effective, and consistent with Authority quality standards.
Ensure projects meet Department of Education requirements and capital plan timeframes.
Report unit activities to the DCMS-Capacity Studio Lead, including project status, staff utilization, design-standard implementation, quality control, consultant performance, and material risks requiring escalation.
Serve on the Department’s Operations Committee and contribute to strategies, policies, procedures, design standards, and priorities for the Department of Architecture and Engineering.
Assist in developing and improving technical and design standards and specifications, including evaluating new systems and materials.
Ensure pre-design programming and scope-development activities align with Department of Education priorities, Authority policies, and Operations Committee standards.
Plan, direct, monitor, review, and evaluate unit staff work and establish clear expectations for project management and design oversight.
Ensure consultants meet contractual requirements and deliver high-quality, complete, coordinated, timely work.
Hold internal staff and external consultants accountable for work products and ensure design, coordination, and delivery issues are addressed promptly.
Make recommendations regarding recruitment, hiring, promotion, reassignment, and discipline in accordance with Authority policies and procedures.
Mentor staff, support professional development, and strengthen design, technical, consultant-management, and project-management capabilities.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical coverage, with basic coverage available at 100% employer-paid.
Prescription drug options.
Dental and vision coverage.
NYC Qualified Pension Plan (QPP).
Optional retirement savings plans, including 401(k), 457, and IRA options.
Transit Check Program.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
Competitive paid time off (PTO) benefits.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education directly related to the employee’s current role.
Access to individual and organizational training opportunities, including leadership development, technical skill-building, compliance, and personal and professional growth.