Design Principal

Description

Position: Design Principal 

Reports To: Managing Principal

Classification: Exempt 

Summary

Design Principal - Supports the building of infrastructure for design culture at NAC. Responsible to provide leadership and guidance in the advancement of NAC's distinctive design quality and excellence across the entire firm. Responsibility to set the highest design aspirations for all projects. Provide stewardship of design and inspire, influence, and bring consensus among project teams clients and associated partners. Helps to establish the formation of design leadership in each office towards design management, implementation, and accountability. Regularly engages in activities that differentiate and promote our brand locally, regionally, and nationally. Participates in developing new business opportunities and long-term client relationships.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

• Ensures the project team is understands client goals and objectives and provides design guidance to advance design aspirations for projects
• Provide review, critique, and advice regarding established conceptual framework
• Provides oversight, guidance, and edits regarding implementation of design concepts on projects
• Provides oversight, and guidance to implementation of performance-based strategies
• Oversees that all disciplines are making effective design contributions that align with the overall project goals and objectives
• Provides oversight and guidance to ensure effective performance and a thriving design culture for project teams
• Identifies potential benchmark projects and promotes appropriate resources for success
• Ensures implementation of design process and effective communication and project coordination
• Fosters an environment that exemplifies collaboration, experimentation, innovation, creativity, design excellence and mutual respect
• Promotes NAC’s vision, Just Cause, core values, and the firm’s short term/long term strategic goals
• Participates in the development of design content for proposals and represents NAC in project interviews
• Coordinates design content for publishing in market -specific media outlets, as well as other potential publications such as articles on research and innovation
• Coordinates design content for design submission of NAC’s projects for design awards
• Responsible for training, development and mentoring emerging professionals toward future creative leadership
• Responsible to collaborate with Project Manager in the evaluation and assignment of design staff to ensure high-performance teams and design structure implementation
• Presents at relevant A/E/C conferences

Competencies:

• Advanced comprehensive design skills required
• Bold, innovative thinker with strong analytical approach with excellent problem-solving skills
• Familiar with BIM and 3-D modeling software and other creative resources
• Overall knowledge of zoning and building codes, specifications, building /engineering systems and agency requirements (NPFA, ADAAG, FGI, OBC, IBC, etc)
• Possesses knowledge and understanding of design constructability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for client presentations, speaking engagements, and industry articles  
• Models a professional work ethic and nurtures a design culture of mutual respect, passion, and commitment to design excellence
• Familiarity with cost estimating processes and proven ability to deliver client objectives within project budget

Certification Requirements

• Architecture License required. LEED AP Certification preferred.

Supervisory Requirements

• Provides oversight to senior design staff on all project teams 

Work Environment

• This position operates in a professional open office environment with low to moderate noise levels including collaborative work areas for team meetings. Each office provides collaborative work areas and shared resources such as video conferencing, printing/scanning, and a café for dining. Building construction sites may include varying temperatures, wind, dust, and noise levels and may include hazardous and dirty conditions.

Physical Demands

• Hand/Wrist/Finger dexterity for 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week
• Ability to lift a set of construction documents
• Ability to sit for long periods of time

Position Type/Hours expected to work

• This is a full-time position with a minimum expectation of 40 hours per week 

Travel

• Occasional travel depending on project assignments

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Architecture or Bachelor of Architecture required (accredited university preferred)
• Master of Architecture preferred
• A minimum of fifteen years’ design experience in architectural design related practice or equivalent

Work Authorization

• Sponsorship may be considered

AAP/EEO Statement

NAC, Inc is committed to the principle of equal opportunity employment. As a result, all qualified employees and prospective employees will be recruited, selected, and trained without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally- protected status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, experiences, growth potential and previous work record. This same non- discriminatory consideration will be used in all other aspects of the employment relationship.

NAC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability to the extent that doing so does not create an undue hardship on NAC. NAC encourages employees and applicants to communicate any special needs by engaging in an interactive process with Trinity to formulate reasonable accommodations.