Director of Operations - Building Envelope Restoration (Licensed Architect)

Department: Existing Building Lerch Bates is seeking a hands-on, entrepreneurial licensed Architect to lead our building envelope repair and modernization practice. This is a technical leadership role for an experienced professional who enjoys leading teams while remaining actively involved in project execution. As the Director, you will oversee project delivery, team performance, business operations, and strategic growth while continuing to contribute directly to investigations, rehabilitation design, repair strategies, and modernization projects for existing buildings. This role is focused on existing building rehabilitation and restoration, not new construction design. You will serve as both a business leader and technical advisor, guiding project teams, developing client relationships, mentoring staff, and helping drive the continued growth of the practice. About Lerch Bates: Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model. Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment. We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB. What You’ll Do: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make. Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and manage a small technical team, supporting growth in technical expertise, project management, and professional development Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance discussions, and development planning with team members Serve as a technical mentor while remaining actively involved in project execution Participate in company initiatives and foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment Operations & Project Delivery Lead and actively contribute to projects involving existing building investigations, repair strategies, rehabilitation, restoration, and modernization Manage projects ranging from quick-turn assessments to large, highly complex projects Coordinate staffing and resource planning to achieve utilization and revenue goals Review Consultant and Specialist deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, compliance, and adherence to project schedules Support proposal development through technical expertise and staffing recommendations Provide high-touch client engagement on sensitive or high-profile projects Manage invoicing and project-related operational responsibilities Strategy & Business Leadership Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and industry partners Identify opportunities for growth, service expansion, and operational improvements Anticipate market trends, client needs, and industry changes while developing strategies to capitalize on opportunities or mitigate risks Participate in forecasting, revenue planning, resource planning, and departmental performance tracking Support annual business planning, including growth strategies, staffing, training, and revenue targets What You’ll Bring: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline Active Architect license (AIA) required 8+ years of experience in architecture, engineering, construction management, forensics, rehabilitation, or existing building consulting 2+ years of leadership experience with team management, revenue accountability, business development, and operational oversight Strong understanding of building structures, building envelope systems, rehabilitation, restoration, and existing building construction Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing teams Strong financial, project management, and operational planning capabilities Ability to build trusted relationships with clients, project teams, and industry stakeholders Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing deadlines Ability to read and interpret drawings and construction documents Demonstrated commitment to quality, consistency, and attention to detail Why Work with Lerch Bates? Competitive compensation Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually) 9 paid holidays 401(k) with employer match Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) Paid parental leave Professional development and tuition reimbursement Performance-based incentives and bonuses Employee assistance and wellness programs Be more than just an employee… Lerch Bates is 100% employee-owned! Our employee-owners bring a distinct “we own what we do” brand of technical consulting to every project and partnership. When youwork with us, you join a company with an ownership mindset. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. So, what does that mean for you? After a certain service time, you are eligible for stock ownership, which essentially works as an additional wealth accumulation and/or retirement account! Core Values Ownership, Community, Integrity, Respect, Optimism Working Environment: This role involves both physical and mental demands and may be performed in various settings, including offices, construction sites, and confined spaces like elevator pits. Tasks often require frequent movement in multiple directions. Lerch Bates will provide reasonable accommodations upon request through Human Resources. Physical Demands: This role requires regular sitting, talking, and hearing in meetings and by phone. Employees must navigate tight spaces, climb ladders, move around construction sites, take measurements, and travel by car, air, or rail. Duties may involve working at heights and in confined spaces, using hands for tasks like typing and operating elevator components, and applying up to 30 lbs. of force. Close visual attention is also required. Mental Demands: This position requires strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Employees must interpret complex information, apply mathematical and logical reasoning, quickly learn new skills, and manage detailed, multitask workloads under shifting deadlines. Regular interaction with executives, colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders is also expected. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr American Institute of Architecture Students