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Home , Building design, Interior design, Project manager

DEFINITIONS OF POSITIONS

MANAGEMENT

CEO/PRESIDENT MANAGING PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Licensed who manages and directs organization toward its objectives, Licensed architect or other licensed preferred but not required; establishes direction and long-range plans, professional with direct oversight for a develops and monitors quality and plans/directs mergers and acquisitions, market sector, discipline, department or production standards of . Directs and serves as face of organization. , who establishes and implements and monitors team members and goals and objectives, develops and ensures high productivity. May be Has primary responsibility for the firm’s promotes the firm’s values and long-range responsible for some of the tasks of the profitability and growth by managing and plans, positions the firm for growth and Director of Human Resources (see directing the organization toward its ensures profitability. description below) at small to midsize primary objectives. Establishes the firm’s firms. direction, long-range plans, strategy, and Responsible for establishing overall goals policy. Dispenses advice, guidance, and objectives and coordinating Responsible for developing uniformly high direction, and authorization to carry out implementation plans. In conjunction with production standards and monitoring major plans, standards, and procedures. other senior leaders, is responsible for projects to ensure the quality and Oversees the adequacy and soundness of realization of profits compatible with production standards are met for all the organization’s financial structure. interests of clients and the firm. Develops design and contract documents. Must be Reviews the organization’s operating and promotes the firm’s vision, mission, thoroughly familiar with entire results, compares these to established core values, and long-range plans. architectural process and should possess objectives, and takes steps to ensure that Oversees and controls operations and managerial capability to lead and direct appropriate measures are taken to correct activities to promote achievement of the activities of all project-team personnel unsatisfactory results. Plans and directs all firm’s objectives. Implements policies while monitoring technical production on investigations and negotiations pertaining established by the board. Participates in all projects to insure adherence to quality to mergers, joint ventures, acquisition of creating and positioning the firm to take standards at high productivity. businesses, or sale of major assets. advantage of opportunities for growth Establishes and maintains an effective and marketplace expansion. Ensures DIRECTOR OF DESIGN system of communications throughout profitability, quality enhancement, and the organization. Represents the professional development. May be Licensed architect with a thorough organization with major customers, responsible for some of the tasks of the knowledge of practice who shareholders, the financial community, Director of Human Resources at small to develops design standards and may and the public. mid-size firms. supervise design department. Oversees design presentations and monitors project CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER design development.

Responsible for the company’s day-to-day Responsible for developing firm-wide operating activities, including revenue and design standards; may also administer and sales growth; expense, cost and margin supervise the design department. control; and monthly, quarterly, and Oversees design presentations, monitors annual financial goal management. project design development, and provides Generally an MBA or licensed professional design direction and support to ensure with significant experience in operations. consistent and high-quality design firm- wide. Must possess a thorough knowledge of architecture practice with emphasis on design, materials, methods, integration of disciplines, and building costs/codes. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (CFO) DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND/OR Oversees and coordinates all firm-wide DIRECTOR OF HUMAN financial operations, ensures financial RESOURCES Licensure preferred but not required; operations functions efficiently, and manages/directs planning and/or urban provides direction to managers Stimulates the firm’s success through the design group, reviews operating responsible for financial activities. hiring of proper balance of employees, procedures, maintains communication promotes firm’s objectives, and throughout organization. Responsible for overseeing and establishes human resources support. coordinating the full firm-wide range of Has primary responsibility for the planning financial operations by ensuring that they Responsible for stimulating the firm’s and/or urban design group’s profitability function effectively and efficiently and current and future success by ensuring and growth by managing and directing the according to policies established by the that a proper balance of employees is organization toward its primary board and under the direction of the CEO. hired, developed, and motivated to objectives. Dispenses advice, guidance, Directs the firm’s treasury, budgeting, achieve staffing goals. Promotes the firm’s direction and authorization to carry out audit, tax, accounting, purchasing, real vision, mission, and core values. major plans, standards, and procedures. estate, benefit programs and Establishes a human resources support Reviews the planning and/or urban design activities. Supports the CEO and the firm’s service that provides information, tools, group’s operating results and takes steps continued success by ensuring that all and training to , business leaders, to ensure that appropriate measures are financial operations function effectively and supervisors. taken to correct unsatisfactory results. and efficiently. Provides financial Establishes and maintains an effective leadership, vision, and direction to DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION system of communications throughout managers responsible for financial (CIO) the organization. activities within the firm.

Directs, manages, and coordinates the DIRECTOR OF STRUCTURAL CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES firm’s information systems, determines ENGINEERING OFFICER (CHRO) system capacity/equipment needs, manages acquisition/upgrades of Registered who manages Provides executive strategic hardware, software and other necessary activities, develops oversight for human resources policies tools. project solutions and requirements, and and practices within a multi-office, supervises other structural design Directs the firm’s overall information international practice. This includes the personnel. overall direction of recruitment, systems function, including systems and organizational development, affirmative programming procedures and computer An engineer with professional registration action, employee relations, succession equipment operations. Coordinates the responsible for managing the firm’s planning, leadership development, integration of office operations and structural engineering activities. performance management, benefits and information systems, and evaluates the Responsible for developing the firm’s acquisition and installation of new compensation. May have oversight for structural requirements and solutions for learning and development. Reports equipment. Develops and executes projects and maintaining all aspects of directly to the CEO. tactical plans for information systems that structural engineering activities. support the firm’s strategic objectives. Supervises structural-design personnel to Consults with management to determine ensure development of high-quality information requirements and priorities of drawings and calculations. Requires new project, and to discuss system professional registration. capacity and equipment needs. Provides recommendations and manages the CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER acquisition and upgrade of all hardware, software, and service purchases and/or Responsible for business development leases to keep the organization’s strategy, marketing, branding, information accessible in a timely, communications and public relations efficient, and secure manner. Develops infrastructure, positioning the firm for disaster recovery plans to ensure growth and profitability. continued business operations.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Leads strategy, branding, and content, associated with communications material for internal, client-related, and publications and is responsible for public relations.

ARCHITECT/

SENIOR PROJECT DESIGNER PROJECT DESIGNER SENIOR

Ten or more years of experience, licensure Five to 10 years of experience, licensure Ten or more years of experience, licensure preferred but not required, bachelor’s preferred but not required, bachelor’s preferred but not required, bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited degree in architecture from an accredited degree in architecture from an accredited program; creates project and program; coordinates project design, program; coordinates all project efforts in plans for all phases of projects and develops creative-design concepts for order to ensure effective execution, coordinates consultants projects, and prepares presentation and prepares strategic plans, and serves as while monitoring drawings. design drawings. primary client liaison. Estimates scope of work and oversees less experienced Develops solutions and creates project Works independently on architectural project managers. designs and plans to client. Initiates and design projects and often coordinates creates project design and plans of all project design efforts. Develops planning Handles the most complex projects of the phases of one or more projects and has and creative-design concepts for projects. largest magnitude. Responsible for the responsibility for preparing presentation Prepares presentation and design coordination of all project efforts, and design drawings. Coordinates all drawings and details. Requires substantial administrative and technical, to assure the trades and agencies related to building experience, 5-10 years in developing most efficient and cost-effective design while monitoring drawings. details and providing planning and design execution of assigned projects. Prepares Typically has 10 or more years of support in the preparation of design strategic plans for project success. Serves experience in all phases of architecture development. as primary liaison contact with clients to and engineering, including substantial and bring projects to completion on schedule, varied experience in . within budget and with maximum client satisfaction. Actively manages client budgets, schedules, and programs; budget and schedule; project communications and documentation; office administrative tasks; and project team assignments. Estimates fees, determines scope of work, and prepares proposals and contracts on the most complex projects. Provides oversight and monitoring of work of less experienced project managers. May act in a team leader capacity in the absence of the manager. Bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited program plus 10-12 years experience. Registered architect preferred. PROJECT MANAGER Licensed architect with major project architectural methods and complexities. responsibility. Plans and develops projects Requires use of advanced techniques and of medium to large scope and works modification/extension of theories, Eight or more years of experience, under minimal supervision. May oversee a precepts, and practices of individual’s licensure preferred but not required, large staff of and technicians. field. Supervision and guidance mainly bachelor’s degree in architecture from an Responsible for interpreting, organizing, concern overall objectives, critical issues, accredited program; manages multiple executing, and coordinating assignments. new concepts, and policy matters. small/medium projects, coordinates all Plans and develops architectural projects aspects of assigned projects, and concerning unique and/or controversial estimates scope of work. UNLICENSED ARCHITECTURE/ complexities that significantly impact DESIGN STAFF 2 Has full responsibility for managing all major company programs. Involves exploration of subject area, definition of aspects of multiple small to mid-sized Same definition as Architect 2 except scope, selection of items for investigation, projects. Prepares strategic plans for unlicensed. project success. Responsible for the and development of novel concepts and methods. coordination of all project efforts, ARCHITECT 1 administrative and technical, to assure the most efficient and cost-effective UNLICENSED ARCHITECUTRE/ Five or more years of experience, licensed execution of assigned projects. Serves as DESIGN STAFF 3 architect who exercise independent the primary client liaison to bring the judgment in evaluation, selection, and use schedule, budgets, and scope of work to Same definition as Architect 3 except of standard techniques, solves problems completion and to the client’s satisfaction. unlicensed. when encountered, and receives guidance Actively manages client budgets, on complex projects. schedules, and programs; 2 communications and documentation; Licensed architect who is competent in all office administrative tasks; and project Eight or more years of experience, licensed conventional aspects of architecture. team assignments. Estimates fees, architect with diverse knowledge of Performs work requiring independent determines scope of works, and prepares architecture principles and practices, uses judgment in evaluation, selection, and proposals and contracts. Bachelor’s advanced techniques, and has adaptation/modification of standard degree in architecture from an accredited responsibility for finished plans, techniques, procedures, and criteria. programs plus eight years of experience. specifications, and material approval. May Independently solves problems Registered architect required. supervise a small staff of architects and encountered. Receives technical guidance technicians. on unusual or complex issues and ARCHITECT 3 supervisory approval on proposed project Licensed architect responsible for finished plans. Ten or more years of experience, licensed plans, specifications, or approval of architect who plans and develops materials and construction. May supervise UNLICENSED ARCHITECTURE/ medium=to large-scope projects with a small staff of architects and technicians. DESIGN STAFF 1 many complexities, executes and Applies sound and diverse knowledge of coordinates projects, and may oversee a architecture principles and practices in a Same definition as Architect 1 except large staff of architects and technicians. broad array of assignments and related unlicensed. fields. Acts independently regarding

INTERNS

INTERN 3 INTERN 2 INTERN 1 Full-time intern on the path to licensure with three to six years of experience, Full-time intern on the path to licensure Full-time entry-level intern on the path to works under direction of others, with two to three years of experience, licensure with fewer than two years of responsible for projects’ technical design; works from the designs of others under experience; develops design or technical provides planning/design/coordination supervision, and performs routine and solutions under the supervision of an consultation on large projects; limited architectural assignments. Limited architect. reviews/approves conceptual designs. judgment is required on work details. Assignments may include higher-level Responsible for specific technical design work for training/development purposes. aspects of an assigned project including investigation, evaluation, and Performs specific/limited portions of recommendation of design solutions. assignments using prescribed methods. Performs assignments under direction Under general supervision, works from with limited responsibility for design. the design of others and performs routine Provides professional architectural architectural assignments. Limited consultation in the planning, design, and judgment is required on work details. coordination of large, complex projects. Assignments may include higher-level Independently makes decisions on work for training/development purposes. significant architectural design problems and methods. Reviews and approves conceptual designs. Carries out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.

OTHER DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

INTERMEDIATE INTERIOR purposes, such as raising productivity, SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER selling merchandise, or improving DESIGNER lifestyle. May specialize in a particular Eight or more years of experience, field, style, or phase of . bachelor’s degree in interior design Five or more years of experience, bachelor’s degree in interior design recommended; manages projects and ENTRY-LEVEL INTEIOR recommended; performs design and leads team, performs schematic design DESIGNER work, participates in design control of presentation drafting, projects, and is responsible for project plans/designs/furnishes interiors of Assists senior with budget management. various building types, and must specialize in a particular field/style/phase of interior development of design solutions, Manages projects of all sizes and levels of design. researches and selects complexity and provides project team colors/finishes/materials, performs Responsible for design and presentation leadership. Responsible for schematic site surveys, maintains resources drafting on interior design projects, design work. Participates in the design materials. control of projects in the design including schematic design tasks and design development. Plans, designs, and development, construction document, Works under the direction of mid- to furnishes interiors of residential, and supervision phases. Provides direction senior-level interior designers. to lower-level interior designers. commercial, or industrial . Researches interior products. Applies Responsible for project budget and Formulates designs that are practical, established interior design standards. management and cost control. aesthetic, and conducive to intended Assists senior-level designers in the Responsible for the concerns, and other matters that development of design solutions for of one or more projects. Provides the relate to overall planning. Attends review. Performs routine checking design and delivery on a variety of planning commission meetings. and/or verification tasks. Researches projects. Establishes general Regularly meets with various and selects colors/finishes/materials. landscape requirements. Conducts government publications. Supports business development preliminary site studies. Assesses activities through assistance with aids sites’ potential to meet client GRAPHIC DESIGNER such as finish boards or PowerPoint specifications. Carries out presentations. Performs site survey environmental impact studies. Performs print/multimedia/Web and documentation. Maintains design, creates design and layout far resource materials. Is learning PLANNER various materials, creates project computer-aided drawing, chars/graphs, and provides cost presentation tools, and basic offices Five or more years of experience; estimates for all printed graphics. software. Has exposure to interior performs urban design and site design specifications, calculations, planning, provides technical Responsible for print, multimedia, and industry standards. assistance on topics related to Web and/or environmental graphic planning//. Creates the design, layout and LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT concerns, attends planning coordination production of various commission meetings, and meets with materials. Creates detailed project Five or more years of experience, government publications. charts and graphs for clients. Provides licensed landscape architect who detailed cost estimates for all printed performs landscape design on Responsible for urban design, site graphics. projects, establishes general planning, and other planning studies requirements, assesses site potential, and programs. Provides technical and performs environmental impact assistance in areas regarding studies. planning, zoning, environmental