Senior Project Architect

Job Description

Job Description

ROLE: Senior Project Architect 

The tasks and responsibilities outlined here represent a framework and minimum expectation for the position. While performing the duties of this position, you may be asked to undertake additional tasks or responsibilities. Such requests may be in response to a singular need, a limit of available resources, an opportunity to assess your skill, talent or capacity, or other managerial considerations. 

POSITION SUMMARY 
The Senior Project Architect (SPA) is a licensed architect with a minimum of 10-12 years of experience as a Project Architect, competent in all conventional aspects of architectural practice with an emphasis on the technical implementation of the project design and coaching of junior staff. The SPA is responsible for the overall quality of the design and deliverables produced by their studio. The SPA performs work requiring independent judgment and critical thinking, adapts firm and practice standards to project requirements and possesses a diverse working knowledge of related disciplines. The SPA is responsible for leading the development of contract documents for the studio’s projects, and as such provides supervision and guidance for the project team. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 
Leadership, Management and Accountability (LMA) 
• Maintain accurate and current time sheets and submit them weekly. 
• Attend and participate in weekly Staff Meetings, Daily Huddles, and PM/APM Meetings. 
• Ensure timely completion and processing of project paperwork (printing, copying, mailings, filing, electronic submissions). 
• Demonstrate strong time management and organizational skills. 
• Coordinate and provide feedback to Studio Lead and Senior Leadership. 
• Coordinate and provide feedback to others who report to you, including Job Captains and Assistant Project Managers.

• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of coordination processes between PSA, clients, governmental agencies, and consultants. 
• Adhere to agreed upon deadlines and time allocations. 
• Comply with company policies outlined in the Employee Manual. 
• Adapt and pivot responsibilities as project needs change. 
• Communicate effectively with team members, supervisors, and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. 
• Assist the Studio Lead in project production schedules, workload planning and staff assignments. 
• Assist in monitoring performance of technical staff and provide assessments to the Studio Lead and PM. 
• Assist staff in the development of industry knowledge and architectural skills. Engage in learning about relevant new codes, technologies, and materials. 
• Ensuring compliance with PSA standards including the use of checklists by team and proactively support the ongoing refinement of those standards to maintain a culture of excellence. 
• Oversee studio work product and meet regularly to ensure adherence to PSA’s document standards and quality assurance procedures. Provide active feedback to Studio Lead, firm leadership and peers if new or updated standards are needed. 
• Meet regularly with Studio Lead, Project Managers, Peer SPAs to promote high quality and limit rework. 
• Sign and seal all documents prepared under the SPA’s supervision. 

Existing Conditions Phase 
• Attend kick-off meetings. Establish/confirm project goals with Studio Lead and Team, including budget, schedule, resources and project’s guiding principles. 
• Assist with Existing Conditions surveys, provide guidance to junior staff and confirm accuracy of same. 
• Verify site-specific requirements and understand project criteria, design intent, scope of work and client expectations. 
• Coordinate with Studio Lead with regards to Project Vision and Design. 

Design / Design Development Phase 
• Oversee and provide guidance on all phases of design including programming, schematic design, design, design development and construction documents. Provide active feedback to Studio Lead, Firm Leadership and peers if new or updated processes are needed. 
• Provide direction for the building’s function, form, appearance, materials. This should be the responsibility of the SPA in coordination with Studio Lead. 
• Set clear goals and motivation for the project design team, ensuring the work is aligned with desired outcomes. This should be the responsibility of the SPA in coordination with Studio Lead. 
• Coordinate with the Project Manager or Assistant Project Manager on Drawing set planning, Code compliance and research, Product research, and specification writing. 
• Lead the research efforts for each project, establishing which requirements and codes must be met to comply with authorities having jurisdiction for each project. 
• Lead the development of a “cartoon set” of drawings in advance of preparation of Contract Documents. 
• Produce design solutions which adhere to established budgets. 
• Monitor the design contributions of all members of the team and contribute to the development and improvement of design output of all team members. 
• Review the work product of all contributing consultants to confirm scope compliance and effective coordination between all disciplines.
• Provide guidance for final product selection and specification with APM/PM. This is an ongoing responsibility throughout the life of the project and should be held by the APM/PM in consultation with the SPA. 
• Provide peer reviews for other studios. 

Construction Document Phase  
• Lead the development of project detailing required to convey design intent. 
• Oversee the progress of the Work Product to ensure profitable production of all deliverables. 
• Monitor the progress, coordination, and quality of all documents including consultant’s work. Review changes and corrections with team members. 
• Oversee the preparation and submission of documents for agency review. Review and coordinate agency comments, direct corrections and resubmission for permit issuance Coordinate with Studio Lead regarding construction codes. 
• Review the work product of all contributing consultants to confirm scope compliance and effective coordination between all disciplines.
• Oversee the preparation and issuance of bid documents. Oversee responses to contractor questions during the bid process. Direct the revision of construction documents and issuance of addenda if required. Provide active feedback to Studio Lead, firm leadership and peers if new or updated processes are needed. 
• Provide peer reviews for other studios. 

Contract Administration Phase 
• Provide technical guidance to the team in response to RFIs, submittal reviews and document revision as required by the construction administration terms of the project contract. 
• Attend construction meetings (as needed), site visits, and inspections to monitor progress and resolve technical issues. 

Professional Development and Growth  
• Actively seek opportunities to expand technical knowledge. 
• Participate in Continuing Education events and programs. 
• Participate in Soundboard Training Program 
• Support junior team members to foster growth and collaboration within the team. 
• Coach PM(s) and PA(s) on team and help develop APM(s). Mentor PA(s). 
• Continuing education to maintain licensure. 

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS 
• Architectural licensure in the state where the office is located is required. 
• 10 years of experience as a Project Architect is preferred. 
• Advanced knowledge of architectural detailing, current construction standards, and associated building trade collaboration process (design-build, design-assist, etc.). 
• Advanced experience in translating architectural concept design into contract documents, including specification writing and coordination. 
• Advanced knowledge of agency review process and ability to successfully complete the entitlement and permitting process. 
• Advanced knowledge of construction contract administration processes. 
• Able to lead communication efforts with clients and team members. 
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD/REVIT and other business software and their application to contract documents. 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES/BEYOND ARCHITECTURE  
• Actively participate in the Architects’ Council 
• Coordinate and collaborate with Studio Leads and SPAs across the firm. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
• Location: Hybrid (Office/Remote), Site
• Schedule: Full time
• Travel to sites required 
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Performance of the duties will occasionally require physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This role involves frequent hand use to grasp, manipulate, or feel objects, tools, or controls, along with the ability to sit, speak, hear signals such as bells or whistles, stand, climb, maintain balance, and perform movements like stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Employees may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. 

BENEFITS

• Health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) 
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance 
  
• Paid time off (including vacation, holidays, PTO, NJ sick leave)
  
• Retirement benefits