Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Architect

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking an experienced Architect responsible for leading design development, producing construction documents, coordinating with consultants and contractors, and ensuring successful execution of building projects from concept through construction administration. The ideal candidate combines strong design sensibility with technical proficiency in BIM/Revit, deep knowledge of building codes and construction methods, and proven client-facing and project-management capabilities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Architectural Designer
Junior Architect / Intern Architect
BIM Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Project Architect
Design Director / Studio Lead
Principal / Partner

Lateral Moves:

Technical Director (Building Systems / Facades)
Construction Project Manager
Sustainability/LEED Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead conceptual and schematic design efforts for medium-to-large scale projects, translating client goals into clear design narratives, site strategies, massing studies, and program adjacencies while maintaining aesthetic, functional, and budgetary objectives.
Prepare and manage comprehensive design development and construction document packages including architectural drawings, specifications, schedules, details, and material selections to ensure coordinated and buildable deliverables.
Develop and manage Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows using Revit (or equivalent), establish model standards, create federated models, and coordinate multi-disciplinary BIM coordination sessions to resolve clashes and align scopes.
Coordinate and review engineering and consultant deliverables (structural, MEP, civil, landscape, acoustics, life safety) to ensure full integration with architectural intent and to mitigate constructability risks during design and pre-construction phases.
Produce accurate code analyses, zoning reviews, life-safety strategies, and permit application packages; interact with local authorities having jurisdiction to obtain approvals, variances, and permits.
Prepare and control project budgets, perform design-phase cost estimating and value engineering exercises, propose alternatives to meet client budget targets and lifecycle cost expectations.
Serve as the primary client-facing representative, leading presentations, design workshops, stakeholder meetings, and regular status updates to maintain alignment and manage client expectations through the project lifecycle.
Oversee and mentor project teams including junior architects, designers, and consultants; delegate tasks, review work for quality and consistency, and provide technical and design direction to raise team performance.
Implement and enforce office CAD/BIM standards, template libraries, detail libraries, and best practices to ensure consistency, quality control, and efficient production across projects.
Conduct constructability reviews, pre-construction coordination with contractors, and advise on sequencing, logistics, phasing, and temporary works to reduce risk and schedule impacts during field execution.
Lead bid and tender processes, prepare addenda, respond to RFIs, evaluate contractor proposals, and assist clients with contractor selection and contract negotiation.
Perform on-site construction administration including regular site visits, observation reports, submittal and shop drawing review, RFI responses, and coordination of corrective actions to ensure conformance with contract documents.
Manage project schedules and milestones, facilitate design reviews, resolve technical issues promptly, and proactively update project risk registers to keep projects on time and on budget.
Create high-quality visualizations, presentation boards, renderings, and physical or digital models to communicate design intent clearly to clients, stakeholders, and planning authorities.
Integrate sustainable design strategies and performance targets (energy modeling, daylighting, passive design, material selection) and pursue LEED, WELL, Passive House, or other certification objectives as required by the client or project.
Develop detailed facade and envelope design, coordinate thermal and moisture control strategies, and work with specialty consultants and suppliers to define mock-ups, testing, and performance criteria.
Prepare and manage specifications and technical writing for scopes of work, materials, finishes, and performance requirements that support procurement and construction quality assurance.
Lead post-occupancy evaluations and commissioning coordination to capture lessons learned, verify performance criteria, and ensure client satisfaction with operational outcomes.
Establish cross-discipline communication protocols, host coordination workshops, and implement clash resolution strategies to limit change orders and minimize on-site rework.
Promote and maintain compliance with accessibility standards (ADA or equivalent), local codes, fire and life safety regulations, and sustainability regulations throughout project delivery.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives for office workflows, digital tool adoption, knowledge-sharing, and training programs to upskill teams in the latest design and delivery methodologies.
Negotiate and administer professional service agreements, scopes of work, and amendments with subconsultants, ensuring alignment with project budgets and deliverables.

Secondary Functions

Support business development efforts by preparing statements of qualifications, project resumes, and design concepts for proposals and interviews.
Contribute to marketing and thought leadership initiatives, including writing case studies, thought pieces, and participating in conferences or client seminars.
Assist in firm-level strategic planning, resource forecasting, and mentorship programs to build bench strength and a resilient project pipeline.
Maintain and update office libraries for standard details, specification templates, and vendor contacts to improve efficiency of future projects.
Support ad-hoc client requests, feasibility studies, and site analysis tasks including zoning interpretation, site-specific constraints, and opportunity assessments.
Participate in internal design reviews and QA/QC checks to ensure compliance with office standards and regulatory requirements.
Facilitate coordination of procurement and lead selection of long-lead items, critical equipment, and specialty materials requiring early procurement decisions.
Engage with community stakeholders, planning boards, and design review committees to secure approvals and manage public-facing design communications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in Revit for BIM modeling, documentation, and collaboration; proven experience in federated modeling and clash detection workflows.
Extensive experience with AutoCAD for 2D documentation, detailing, and archival drawing sets.
Competency in modeling and visualization tools such as Rhino, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Enscape, V-Ray, Lumion, or Blender for concept and presentation renderings.
Strong working knowledge of building codes, zoning regulations, life-safety requirements, and permit processes relevant to the project jurisdiction.
Experience producing construction documents (CDs), specifications (MasterSpec or similar), schedules, and detailed construction details.
Familiarity with structural and MEP coordination, including reading engineering drawings and integrating consultant input into architectural design.
Experience with cost estimating, value engineering, and budgeting tools to align design outcomes with client financial constraints.
Understanding of sustainable design strategies, energy modeling (e.g., IES, Sefaira), and certifications such as LEED, WELL, or Passive House.
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for project reporting, scheduling, and client deliverables.
Knowledge of construction administration processes: RFIs, submittal review, shop drawing coordination, punch lists, and site observation documentation.
Experience with specification writing and procurement documentation to support contractor bidding and construction quality control.
Competence in client presentation skills, producing persuasive pitch materials, and leading stakeholder workshops.
Familiarity with contract types, AIA contract documents, and basic legal/contractual administration in design and construction contexts.
Ability to use project management and collaboration platforms such as Procore, Newforma, Asana, or BIM 360.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills for client-facing presentations, negotiation, and cross-discipline coordination.
Leadership and mentorship ability to lead project teams, manage workloads, and develop junior staff professionally.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to anticipate constructability issues and propose pragmatic design solutions.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines in parallel.
High attention to detail combined with a practical, buildable approach to design and documentation.
Adaptability and resilience in dynamic project environments and the ability to remain calm under schedule or budget pressures.
Collaborative mindset and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams.
Creative design thinking balanced with technical rigor and an evidence-based approach to decision-making.
Ethical judgement and professional responsibility with a focus on safety, compliance, and client advocacy.
Facilitation skills to run effective design charrettes, stakeholder workshops, and coordination meetings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from an accredited institution or equivalent professional degree.

Preferred Education:

M.Arch or specialized postgraduate degree in sustainable design, urban design, or facade engineering.
Additional certifications such as NCARB registration, Licensed Architect (state registration), LEED AP, WELL AP, or similar.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Architecture
Architectural Technology / Building Science
Sustainable Design / Environmental Design
Urban Design / Landscape Architecture (for site-integrated projects)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–12+ years of professional architecture experience, with a mix of design development, technical documentation, and construction administration.

Preferred:

8+ years serving as Project Architect or Lead Designer on multiple built projects, including experience with institutional, commercial, multifamily residential, or mixed-use developments.
Demonstrated portfolio of completed projects, evidence of successful permit approvals, and experience working with contractors on active building sites.
Licensed Architect (or ability to become licensed) and experience leading Revit/BIM implementation or standards in a professional practice.

If you are an ambitious Architect who thrives on shaping high-quality built environments, excels at construction documentation and BIM coordination, and enjoys leading teams and clients through the full project lifecycle, we encourage you to apply.