OVERVIEW:
Our client is a top Global Architecture Firm, creating built environments that have inspired and transformed communities for more than 45 years. Their award-winning portfolio spans complementary market sectors including Civic & Cultural, Education, Headquarters & Office, Healthcare & Research, Hotel & Residential, and Mixed Use. The firm is seeking a talented Director of Operations to join a highly collaborative and dynamic leadership team. The ideal individual is a licensed architect with 10+ years of combined experience in project management and/or practice management, and studio and practice operations or an individual with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration with 10+ years in a similar role.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
In collaboration with Company and Project Leadership, the Director of Operations will have a significant role in managing and leading the business side of the company. Working closely with the Partners and senior level administrators, the individual will manage aspects of the day-to-day operations of this 120+ person firm, including implementation of the company strategic plan, ensuring effective administration and management of business operations, maintaining appropriate levels of staff and allocation, establishing and monitoring firmwide procedures and strategic initiatives, while working closely with Project Managers and design teams. 
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Strategic, Financial & Operational 

• Lead the firm in creating and implementing a five-year strategic plan for future leadership, growth and profitability.
• Support and collaborate with the Partners in providing leadership in meeting financial goals and project performance. 
• Responsibility for creatively and effectively aligning the operational and organizational structure to support the objectives of the Partners.
• In collaboration with the  Controller and Company Leadership, develop an annual financial plan, monitoring and assuring compliance throughout the fiscal year. 
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Company Leadership with regard to recruitment and the proper staffing of projects. 
• Work with Controller to ensure compliance with best practices in financial performance and planning for all projects in the studio. 

Project Intake

• Collaborate with Company Leadership to develop criteria and a process for assessing business opportunities.
• Work with the Business Development Manager on the preparation of proposals, presentations and submissions related to new projects and business opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Business Development Manager to assign new projects and business opportunities to Project Leaders.
• Develop criteria to measure project success. 
• Work with the Project Leaders to:
  • Establish a fee/budget for projects/opportunities
  • Establish a project schedule and determine staffing needs
  • Assign staff to projects and designate a Project Manager
  • Create, monitor and update staffing projections and income projections for projects

   Project Delivery 

• Review, monitor, and approve project work plans including milestones, workflow, staffing, and project budgets. 
• Review, monitor and forecast staffing to assure adequacy, proper balance and compliance with individual work plans. 
• Assure adherence to budgets, monitoring all project earnings, collections, and expenditures. 
• Conduct project management review meetings to assure projects meet schedule, scope, budget, and collection targets. 
• Guide project managers and team members toward continually improving project delivery, quality, and profitability. 

   Design 

• Support and collaborate with the Partners and the Project Leadership to facilitate a culture of sustainable design, design excellence, and integration in project delivery.  

   Risk Management 

• Review and approve fee proposals and contracts with respect to scope, fee, and schedule.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years combined design practice, project management, and/or practice management experience including at least 5 years of direct experience focused on practice/office operations management. 
• Professional Degree in Architecture or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration.
• Architecture Licensure and LEED AP preferred.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, experience managing & directing project teams. 
• Exceptional collaboration and people skills with the ability to help others understand financial parameters and business practices.
• Worked extensively on multiple large-scale projects, including management of fee, time and staffing. 
• Experience preparing proposals.  
• MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) experience required.
• Experience with UNANET ERP a plus.