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 at Sevan Multi-Site Solutions Inc. plays a pivotal role within the design studio, collaborating with a dedicated team to deliver architectural services. This position requires a licensed architect with substantial experience in managing architectural practices. The Senior Design Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the department, ensuring that the design team functions effectively and efficiently. This includes developing internal processes and protocols, assisting leadership with business management, and setting strategic goals for the department. The role also involves managing client programs, coordinating with department managers and staff, and developing design standards that align with the company's objectives. In addition to operational responsibilities, the Senior Design Manager is tasked with supporting business growth and market expansion. This includes identifying new business opportunities, preparing project proposals, and maintaining relationships with clients, subcontractors, and vendors. The position requires a strong understanding of architectural knowledge, building codes, zoning ordinances, and ADA compliance, which the Senior Design Manager will provide to the design staff. The role also includes supervising and mentoring team members, onboarding new staff, and ensuring that quality and production standards are met across all projects. Architectural responsibilities further extend to assisting leadership with RFPs and proposals, conducting project due diligence, and acting as a liaison with code officials and outside consultants. The Senior Design Manager must adhere to CAD standards and ensure that all drafting protocols are followed. Continuous professional development is also a key aspect of this role, as the Senior Design Manager is expected to complete required continuing education to maintain their professional license and supervise licensure candidates in the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP).

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the department's daily operations and performance.
• 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 by identifying 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.
• Acts as 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.