Position Summary:
As a Design Architect / Project Designer, your responsibilities will be to conceive, implement, and oversee the design of Project(s) through all phases of the architectural process – from conception through building occupancy. A Design Architect / Project Designer will take direction from an Office Director and/or Project Manager, but will be expected to prioritize, coordinate, and execute their work independently. A Design Architect / Project Designer will be expected to effectively direct & manage other JLA Team Members - on a Project basis - with varying experience, knowledge, and skillsets as well as well as external consultants that may be part of the development team. The expected workload would be between 42-45 hours per week. Some travel to & from Milwaukee/Madison may be required. Specific functions & responsibilities of a Design Architect / Project Designer include, but are not limited to, the following:
Project-Related Responsibilities – Schematic Design Phase
During the Schematic Design Phase, your responsibility will be to lead the project design process to produce a sound schematic design that meets project goals – including:
- Lead and/or participate in Client meetings to determine project program & project goals
- Identify design challenges & design opportunities, key/unique issues, and other analysis or considerations that will have an impact on the project design
- Produce & maintain the project program
- Provide input to Office Director and Project Manager as it relates to scope of work, design deliverables, & project schedule
- Perform & document preliminary zoning & building code reviews
- Research design precedents and produce associated documentation and/or analysis as necessary
- Conceive & produce sound conceptual/schematic design options as appropriate for the project program & goals
- Lead and/or perform design work and produce design deliverables per defined project schedules
- Produce project information tables/narratives – including site & building data – for analysis of schematic options
- Independently produce and/or lead the production of presentation materials for internal reviews, Client meetings, and other external meetings and/or submittals
- Collaborate & coordinate with JLA Team Members & external consultants, as necessary, to convey design goals, design concepts, and to ensure production of the necessary design deliverables per the project schedule;
- Work collaboratively to proactively solve design challenges and resolve design issues – refining schematic designs based on feedback from Clients, JLA Team Members, and other outside stakeholders;
- Present conceptual/schematic design options to internal team members, Clients, and external ‘stakeholders’ such as municipal bodies & neighborhood groups;
- Produce documents supporting the governmental entitlement packages.
- Prepare for, attend, and participate in external meetings & presentations after traditional business hours;
Project Related Responsibilities - Design Development Phase:
During the Design Development Phase, your responsibility will be to lead the design process to refine and finalize the project’s design – including:
- Guide & Review complete zoning & building code reviews
- Research materials, products, equipment, and building assemblies
- Present design options to internal team members, Clients, and external ‘stakeholders’ such as municipal bodies & neighborhood groups
- Work collaboratively to refine the project’s design, proactively solve design challenges, and resolve design issues based on feedback from Clients, JLA Team Members, and other outside stakeholders
- Collaborate with, coordinate with, and direct JLA Team Members & external consultants, as necessary, to convey design goals, design concepts, and to ensure production of the necessary design deliverables per the project schedule
- Attend/participate in internal & external project progress meetings and follow-up with necessary action items
- Provide continual proactive communication with JLA Team Members, Clients, Consultants, Contractors, etc.
- Produce project design information – including site & building data
- Contribute and review Design Development Documents & Specifications
- Review and provide input about external consultant documents
- Produce and assemble municipal entitlement packages with senior level guidance and any necessary follow-up
- Prepare for, attend, and participate in external meetings & presentations after traditional business hours
- Perform Design Reviews on project progress documents
Project Related Responsibilities - Construction Document Phase:
- Provide support & design input to the Project Team as Construction Documents are produced or as ‘Value Engineering’ options are analyzed
- Perform Design Reviews on project progress documents
Project Related Responsibilities - Construction Administration Phase:
- Provide support & design input to the Project Team as the Project is constructed or as ‘Value Engineering’ options are analyzed
- Assist with the review of shop drawings & submittals for conformance with design
- Participate in periodic construction site visits to observe construction progress, proactively identify potential design issues, and/or assist with the resolution of design issues that arise
- Perform final walk through to evaluate project for ‘lessons learned’ and identify areas for design improvement
Additional Administration & Operation Responsibilities:
- Assist JLA President and other Business Development Team members with various marketing efforts including:
- Meeting with potential new clients and/or attending networking events
- Preparing and/or assisting with responses to RFP’s (Request for Proposals)
- Mentor less experienced Team Members in the architectural profession
- Perform other project-related and operational-related duties as required and assigned.
- Participate in discussions related to evolution of JLA policies, procedures, & standards to help increase the firm’s efficiency and improve the firm’s design processes;
Qualifications :
The ideal person for this position would have the qualities, skills, and knowledge listed below.
- 7+ years of experience at an architectural firm with at least 5 years of experience designing projects of a size & scope similar to that of JLA Projects (or demonstrated equivalent).
- Demonstrated understanding of working with, or for, private developer clients
- Substantial experience with Sketch-Up software;
- Experience with AutoCAD architectural software;
- Experience with Revit Architecture software;
- Design skill that demonstrates knowledge of building codes and construction practices
- A great attitude, great work ethic, and NO inflated ego.
- Experience with Sketch-Up software
- Experience with AutoCAD architectural software
- Experience with Revit Architecture software
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite Software