Architect, Senior Design Manager

Sevan Multi-Site Solutions - Downers Grove, IL

Full-time - Senior

Downers Grove, IL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Architect, Senior Design Manager is a key member of the design studio at Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, responsible for providing architectural services within a dedicated design team. This role requires a licensed architect with practical knowledge in managing an architectural practice. The Senior Design Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the team, ensuring that all activities align with the company's goals and standards. This position involves significant interaction with clients, subcontractors, and vendors, as well as internal team members, to foster collaboration and ensure project success. In this role, the Senior Design Manager will be accountable for developing and maintaining department design standards, managing client programs, and supervising department managers and staff. The responsibilities include developing internal processes and protocols to enhance the effectiveness of the design team, assisting leadership with business management, and supporting business growth and market expansion. The Senior Design Manager will also be involved in identifying new business opportunities, preparing project proposals, and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Architectural responsibilities include assisting leadership with RFPs and proposals, reviewing consulting engineers' proposals for conformity to project requirements, and conducting due diligence with municipalities regarding local zoning and building code requirements. The Senior Design Manager will also supervise and mentor licensure candidates, ensuring adherence to CAD standards and maintaining professional development through continuing education requirements. This position is crucial for fostering a culture of integrity, respect, teamwork, and excellence within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the team’s day-to-day operating activities.
• Provides business input related to the architecture and engineering professions.
• Responsible for managing client programs, department managers, and staff.
• Accountable for developing department design standards.
• Develops internal processes and protocol to ensure the design team runs effectively.
• Assists Leadership with department’s business management.
• Helps in setting goals, strategy, staffing, scheduling, identification of risks, project tracking, invoicing and accruals, and allocation of available resources.
• Supports business growth and market expansion.
• Identifies new business opportunities for new and existing clients.
• Prepares project proposals and change orders requests and submits to client for approval.
• Develops and maintains relationships with clients, potential clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Meets with Design Project Managers and reports workload, project status, and staffing needs.
• Provides architectural knowledge and technical expertise.
• Provides building code and zoning ordinance expertise to design staff.
• Provides ADA expertise to the design staff.
• Assists in interviewing and hiring new team staff.
• Supervises other Design team members.
• Develops and monitors quality and production standards for projects.
• Fosters the personal and professional development of the staff.
• Responsible for the onboarding and training of new staff.
• Eligible for Designer of Record signing and sealing responsibilities, based on business need.
• Assists Leadership with RFPs and proposals to determine goals, time frame, budget limitations.
• Reviews proposals from consulting engineers for conformity to project requirements and determines acceptable fees for work.
• Conducts project due diligence with municipalities to determine local zoning and building code requirements.
• Accountable for resolving plan review comments from code officials.
• Project liaison to code officials, outside consultants, suppliers, and contractors regarding questions to the construction documents.
• Adheres to CAD standards and follows assigned drafting protocol across all projects.
• Completes the required continuing education requirements per their jurisdiction to maintain their professional license.
• Supervises and mentors licensure candidates in the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP) Program.

Requirements

• A Licensed Architect with a 4-year degree in Architecture, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Masters Degree, preferred.
• 12+ years related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated mastery of supervising an architectural practice with comprehensive knowledge of architectural principles, practices, and advanced techniques.
• Expertise in drawings, specifications, and building materials.
• Ability to execute and coordinate multiple projects at a time.
• Experience in multi-site projects preferred.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD (required), Revit (required), Illustrator, Photoshop, SketchUp, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet. 3ds Max is a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in multi-site projects preferred.
• Masters Degree, preferred.