Position Summary
The Project Architect/Designer III is responsible for schematic design and design development, coordinating the efforts of other designers on the team to develop the design in conjunction with key presentations and milestones in the project schedule and ensuring design intent is carried through to the built environment through technical leadership, production management, consultant coordination and construction documentation.
The Project Architect/Designer III is able to effectively deliver architectural projects, integrating sustainability and innovative design principles. The position demonstrates strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, ensuring effective meetings, production organization and compelling client presentations. The position requires advanced technical proficiency, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate and solve problems independently and creatively.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Project Delivery
- Collaborates with Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and/or Principal in charge of the project.
- Ensures proactive, effective and efficient communications between all project stakeholders.
- Generates schedule for time anticipated to complete projects tasks.
- Seeks out and uses best available technology and methodologies to keep project work under time and budget.
- Collaborates with the project team from schematic design through construction documentation to ensure the design intent is carried through the delivery of the project.
- Listens to, analyzes, and develops a thorough understanding of client problems in order to develop solutions being mindful of project budget and schedule.
- Works with consultant teams to coordinate drawings and project scope.
- Manages team performance and provides constructive feedback on individual team member performance.
- Works with consultant teams to coordinate drawings and project scope.
- Participates in RFP / Interview process.
Design and Client Service
- Initiates, develops and coordinates design concepts appropriate to the project.
- Ensures a sustainable design vision and goals for the project are established.
- Prepares, reviews and conducts presentations to clients.
- Communicates design narrative and intent in a clear and compelling way; demonstrates the incorporation of client’s requirements and goals within the design solution.
- Independently researches and develops new and unique approaches on design solutions.
- Makes independent decisions on architectural problems and methods from sound knowledge base.
- Engages clients in explorations that respectfully challenge and inspire their understanding of appropriate and sustainable design solutions.
Technical Guidance and Innovation
- Provides technical leadership and assistance to completion of production efforts that meet project design goals; uses Revit or equivalent technology to produce or review design drawings, specifications and construction documents.
- Assembles resource data including existing condition drawings, code analysis, etc.
- Develops the project work for compliance with applicable regulations, drawing from comprehensive knowledge of state and federal codes.
- Determines the constructability of design alternatives and determines those alternatives most appropriate for project constraints.
- Establishes project documentation plan e.g. cartoon set, coordination of office standards, BIM or CAD procedures, etc.
- Manages all digital content e.g. BIM, submittals, diagrams, renderings, etc.
- Ensures the availability of technical assistance in preparation of construction documents.
- Holds responsibility for quality of project work and mitigates risk for the firm.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- Mentors team members and/or serves as an AXP Supervisor
- Pursues continuing education in Architecture
- Pursues training in performance management
- Pursues opportunities to observe and practice client management
- Develops and fosters relationships in broader design community
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provides performance feedback to team members and to their performance managers.
Required Education, Experience and Credentials
- Bachelor of Architecture
- Five (5) + years of experience as a designer/architect in a client services firm
- Professional design portfolio
- Registered Architect
- LEED GA
Preferred Education, Experience and Credentials
- LEED AP w/Specialty certified
- WELL certified
- Sustainable Building Materials certified
Required Skills and Abilities
Leadership, Communication and Emotional Skills
- Ability to demonstrate the firm’s core values: Integrity, Purpose, Collaboration, Empathy, Conscientiousness, Accountability.
- Strong service orientation with the ability to anticipate problems and needs and proactively find solutions.
- Ability to listen to understand and tailor responses appropriately.
- Ability to communicate relevant information clearly and concisely, with the appropriate tone.
- Strong attention to detail, especially in written and visual communications.
- Ability and desire to receive feedback and learn from other’s perspectives.
- Ability to include all, collaborate, and recognize others’ contributions.
- Ability to be flexible and to adapt to changes in priority or direction.
- Ability and desire to self-start, ask questions, learn and grow.
Technical Skills and Applied Knowledge
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations clearly and compellingly.
- Ability to plan, lead and facilitate effective meetings.
- Thorough knowledge of design, trends, construction methodology, materials application and manufacturer-supplier appropriateness.
- Thorough knowledge of sustainability, integrated design, LEED guidelines and material health.
- Ability to integrate sustainability processes into design processes.
- Ability to organize and execute project work effectively, fully and creatively utilizing all available resources.
- Ability to coordinate the production of documents with internal and external parties.
- Ability to act independently and decisively from a sound background in architectural principles.
- Demonstrates flexibility, creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in anticipating and solving architectural issues.
- Fully competent in all conventional aspects of architectural processes.
- Ability to manage digital files in adherence with office standards.
- Advanced Revit skills.
- Proficiency with:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Rhino
- Sketchup
- CAD
- Rendering software, e.g. Enscape
- Bluebeam
- Newforma
- Deltek Vantagepoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to perform work using a Windows operating system.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
- Ability to evaluate and recommend new tools appropriate to the project.
Working Conditions, Physical Activities and Demands
- Office environment, no adverse environmental conditions expected on a usual basis.
- Occasionally visiting construction sites with exposure to outdoor elements, variable temperatures, hazards, and noise.
- Constantly repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Constantly assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- Constantly remaining in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods.
- Constantly communicating with others to exchange information.
Compensation
- Range: $80,000 – $175,000 annually, depending on skills and experience.
About Elkus Manfredi Architects
Elkus Manfredi is a full-service design practice focused on architecture, interior architecture, master planning, urban design, and historic preservation. The firm’s diverse portfolio of work includes the planning and design of environments for working, living, play, learning, and innovation. With a 37-year legacy of design excellence, Elkus Manfredi is recognized for its strategic work in academic, corporate, hospitality, life science, residential, and mixed-use placemaking that fosters inclusive community, connection, and sustainability at every scale.
