Career Center

VIP Architectural Associates is looking for creative, collaborative principal architect with strong leadership skills and technical expertise, to join our Syracuse, NY based firm. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to manage project teams, land new work and foster client relationships, manage project budgets, as well as develop and implement project workplans. Expertise to represent lead technical viewpoint on projects. The exceptional candidate will have a solid understanding of principles and practices of management, business finance, business development, project management, and organizational effectiveness.

Principal Architect

Reports to the CEO of VIP Companies. Has overall responsibility for supporting, growing, coaching, and nurturing team in their professional development. Has responsibility to establish and maintain excellent client relationships. Sets the tone and direction for the entire department and continuously communicates and conducts business that supports the overall enterprise vision and goals for the future.

**Location: Syracuse, NY

**Competitive Compensation

**Signing Bonus

**Relocation Assistance

Essential Functions:

• Oversees Architectural team to ensure projects are meeting expectations. Resolves any issues that may need Principal attention.
• Oversees the negotiation of fees and payment schedules. Reviews and signs professional service contracts.
• Meets regularly with Architectural team to discuss specific deliverables, provide professional guidance, and maintain familiarity with projects.
• Works with people operations to create career development plans for team.
• Studies current and future market, business, and industry trends and leads the development and implementation of a plan to ensure the company is successful now and well into the future. Adjusts plan, as necessary.
• Continuously attends conferences/seminars and shares information gathered with staff as a growth and development tool.
• Continuously analyzes current organizational structure and the flow of work. Makes strategic changes to maximize productivity, enhance quality and design, offer staff greater growth opportunities, and participate in community events.
• Participates in “Go / No Go” decisions and assists in securing projects as facilitated by the CMBDO, including proposals, client presentations, and other tasks. Maintains contact with the client following completion of the project, for future work opportunities and referrals.
• Maintains and supports ongoing client relationships from project inception to completion. Attends important client meetings and presentations.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of office standards and procedures. Suggest changes or additions to the standards and/or procedures with the goal of continuous improvement in the quality of integrated processes and deliverables.
• Oversee maintenance of Libraries and Master Spec software and binders. Notify staff of information relating to changes to code, products, and/or Master Spec updates.
• Oversee staffing estimates, corresponding cost estimates, fees, and design schedules.
• Monitor projects and take note of ongoing unresolved items. Encourage timely resolution of such items, and provide assistance as needed.
• Monitor design schedule to ensure that key milestones in document development are met with respect to design phase signoffs by the Owner, planned issue of bid packages, and timely submittals
• Ensure that quality and constructability reviews of documents occur, as necessary, early in Design Development.
• Ensure that in-house design reviews occur in a timely manner prior to any document issue event (i.e., signoffs, bid packages, and final construction documents).
• Ensure that project budget is reviewed monthly and kept up to date. Review projections, compile results, and identify means to correct cost/time over-runs.
• Consistently reinforce the concept of client satisfaction through superior service.

• Licensed Architect with 15+ years’ experience including 5 years of professional level experience performing engineering or architectural project management and staff supervision.
• Highly organized, with an eye for detail, strong technical skills, and problem solving
• Experience and ability to lead internal project workflow, planning, and budgeting
• Experience with client interface, networking and relationship building
• Fluency with REVIT, AUTOCAD and 3-D modeling programs and Adobe Creative Suite
• Authorization to work in the United States
• LEED accreditation, preferred

VIP Architectural Associates (VIPAA) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce. VIPAA upholds equality in every aspect of hiring and employment, affording consideration to employees and candidates without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or any protected class or characteristic established under applicable federal, state, or local statute or ordinance.