Design Associate - Portfolio Manager

About the position

A successful candidate in this role is a flexible self-starter, a creative space planner who can balance speed to market with inventive design solutions that meet program and budget requirements and exceed customer expectations. Responsible for the provision and support of design services in the following work focus areas: tenant leasing and prospecting support, design strategies that provide value, record drawing management and enhancement, and design support for other types of projects as needed inclusive of but not limited to: capital improvement, corporate, development, re-development, etc. The Design Associate supports all phases of design ensuring high standards are upheld including service delivery and design integrity while creating value for our assets and company. Responsible for participating in the execution of strategies which support leasing activities and their related tenant space improvements; executing design projects in a broad range of use types for commercial office spaces, collaboratively through design maintaining the quality of our real estate assets and applying standards appropriate to each portfolio and market, successfully partnering with corporate and external resources to execute the work, incorporating sustainability strategies into each project and continually striving to improve the overall quality of the customer's experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide management as well as self-performance of design services supporting position focus area(s)
• Ensure conceptualization, documentation, and execution of design for innovative, sustainable commercial office spaces that meet or exceed project objectives and customer needs while adhering to prescribed schedule, budget and high-quality parameters
• Collaborate with co-workers as well as industry experts to continually determine best practices for functional and impactful workplace environments as well as lasting office industry trends
• Ensure integrity of space, suite, floor, building, and overall portfolio level square footage through application of BOMA standards
• Provide portfolio and task level design and project management utilizing departmental and consulting design resources to successfully execute projects
• Resolve workflow, resource, design, and other technical issues between all parties
• Actively incorporate innovative design solutions, creative charetting, research and technical development into workflow
• Ensure that project status and performance data are accurately and effectively communicated, captured, and reported to stakeholders
• Ensure methodology and documentation utilized for communications and reporting are performed in alignment with COPT values, branding, Delegation of Authority (DOA) and document retention guidelines
• Effectively report this information up and across the organization as well as to project stakeholders, customers, and consultants outside of the organization
• Work with the design team as well as industry experts to document, manage and maintain accurate as-built information providing integrity of and access to the building and component level information necessary to effectively execute design and property operations related services
• Maintenance of accurate as-existing building plans
• Actively support and ensure compliance with Kahua, BIM, and CAD project standards and procedures
• Adhere to as well as participate in the development and maintenance of data and file management standards and guidelines related to design services
• Participate in the development and maintenance of process improvement
• Provide assistance to other departments with special projects as required
• Represent company culture and promote the company to potential tenants at meetings and industry events
• Participates in and supports design related professional organizations and community outreach events
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor/Master's Degree in Interior Design or Architecture from a CIDA or NAAB accredited program
• 3-5 years post-graduate professional design related experience within the commercial office industry
• Knowledge and or experience with Building Owners Management Association (BOMA) square foot standard application a plus
• PC proficiency to include, but not limited to, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and web-enabled applications
• Proficient working knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD required
• Experience with Kahua is a plus
• Preferred ability to work with additional design/graphic programs in support of design inclusive but not limited to, Sketch-Up, Adobe Creative Suite, PDF editor, etc.
• Ability to easily adapt to new and changing technology platforms
• Excellent customer service capability with both internal and external customers as well as various levels of professionals
• Ability to work independently, in a team environment and interact across an organization
• Skilled in the visual and verbal communication of design
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (i.e. adapting to communication styles of others and clearly communicating goals and objectives)
• Demonstrates a high degree of organization, planning, creativity, judgment & time management
• Willingness and ability to travel to support assigned portfolio.

Benefits

• Market-leading health benefits including medical, dental, vision and prescription for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week.