Senior Design Leader

Hargrove and Associates•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Generally responsible for supervision and technical direction over a team of architects and designers including total delivery of the architectural deliverables and services on time, within performance budget and meeting quality expectations. Duties may include performing advanced work serving as a technical specialist for complex assignments. Work at this level requires extensive progressive experience in architecture and involves utilization of project controls for cost control, scheduling, and quality of projects. This work will be performed under minimal supervision. Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: Leading a team of architects and designers to ensure quality and accuracy of deliverables as well as managing individual and team performance. Review and approval of all architectural deliverables. Validation of professional services and preliminary estimate of construction costs at the onset of projects and tracking changes as the project progresses. Producing professional service estimates in accordance with the department standards for project deliverables, project studies and estimates, change notices and for the development of new work through proposal efforts. Developing conceptual layouts and cost studies as necessary to determine the simplest, most efficient approach to solving tasks at hand. Establishing the design criteria, incorporating client requirements, estimate and/or scope basis and design basis meeting applicable state, local and federal standards and codes. Working knowledge of scope and deliverables. Initiating timely change notices when deviation is made from your scope, affecting schedule, deliverables or cost of the work. Planning and organizing the work of your team. Communicating the plan to your team, the project leadership team and the client. Maintaining control of the project by tracking and maintaining discipline performance budget progress, schedule commitments, and quality standards. Understanding and utilizing project tools which are in place for project control. Delegating work to architects and designers in proportion to their technical skills and experience, then following up for support to ensure efficient progress and quality. Present project design to Leaders for review and makes recommendations to meet their needs. Performs or participates in final inspection of improvement projects and makes recommendation regarding acceptance of construction work Reviews building plans and site designs for aesthetics, environmental acceptability, compliance with codes and standards and accessibility requirements. Prepares reports and correspondence. Researches, plans, designs and supervises construction of building projects for clients, according to their needs and financial resources, applying knowledge of design, construction procedures, zoning and building codes, and building materials. Consults with client to determine functional and spatial requirements of new structure or renovation, and prepares information regarding design, specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, and construction time. Participating in the planning of training programs, continuous education opportunities and professional development of staff.

Requirements

Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Architecture from an NAAB-accredited university is required.
Registration as an Architect with the NCARB required.
Applicable jurisdictional license(s) may be required.
10 or more years of Architectural experience.
Knowledge of architectural standards, best practices, and building codes.
Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all architectural deliverables.
Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.
Able to develop preliminary construction cost estimates.
Develop design criteria and scope of work.
Ability to create accurate blueprints and schematics.
Experienced in estimating and scheduling professional service hours and assessing the progress and quality of architectural work.
Knowledge and application of company architectural design and CAD drafting standards.
Ability to lead project teams to deliver on commitments.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Excellent presentation skills.
Excellent virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships.
Acknowledged leadership in and proponent of interoffice execution.
Leadership in the Community of Practice.
Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

Responsibilities

Leading a team of architects and designers to ensure quality and accuracy of deliverables as well as managing individual and team performance.
Review and approval of all architectural deliverables.
Validation of professional services and preliminary estimate of construction costs at the onset of projects and tracking changes as the project progresses.
Producing professional service estimates in accordance with the department standards for project deliverables, project studies and estimates, change notices and for the development of new work through proposal efforts.
Developing conceptual layouts and cost studies as necessary to determine the simplest, most efficient approach to solving tasks at hand.
Establishing the design criteria, incorporating client requirements, estimate and/or scope basis and design basis meeting applicable state, local and federal standards and codes.
Working knowledge of scope and deliverables.
Initiating timely change notices when deviation is made from your scope, affecting schedule, deliverables or cost of the work.
Planning and organizing the work of your team.
Communicating the plan to your team, the project leadership team and the client.
Maintaining control of the project by tracking and maintaining discipline performance budget progress, schedule commitments, and quality standards.
Understanding and utilizing project tools which are in place for project control.
Delegating work to architects and designers in proportion to their technical skills and experience, then following up for support to ensure efficient progress and quality.
Present project design to Leaders for review and makes recommendations to meet their needs.
Performs or participates in final inspection of improvement projects and makes recommendation regarding acceptance of construction work.
Reviews building plans and site designs for aesthetics, environmental acceptability, compliance with codes and standards and accessibility requirements.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
Researches, plans, designs and supervises construction of building projects for clients, according to their needs and financial resources, applying knowledge of design, construction procedures, zoning and building codes, and building materials.
Consults with client to determine functional and spatial requirements of new structure or renovation, and prepares information regarding design, specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, and construction time.
Participating in the planning of training programs, continuous education opportunities and professional development of staff.