Assistant Vice President, Architecture

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Assistant Vice President, Architecture position to join our dynamic group in Baltimore, MD. Be involved in projects with our Mid-Atlantic Transit & Rail Group and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.  

Provides subject matter technical support and leadership for multi-site/phase due diligence, planning, concept development, restoration, alteration, extension, and implementation of creative, functional, and sustainable building designs and/or construction of projects in the public and private sector.  Responsibilities include conceptually visualizing projects, preparing drawings, specifications, budgets, and construction documents, developing and presenting design proposals, and managing client relationships.  Provides situational guidance to PMs and managers that address current and future challenges, and that documentation and recommendations accurately account for and address risk, innovation, and future-ready opportunities.  Provides leadership with ensuring that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, structural integrity, and occupancy.

Your Impact

• Prepare and oversee detailed drawings for more complex and larger-scale projects showing both the external and internal appearance and structure.
• Provide oversight with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface utility information, maps, environmental data, historical use, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.   
• Apply high-level architectural techniques and processes to identify improvements for various construction project phases involving more complex building and infrastructure work including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional architectural work and conduct more complex/comprehensive investigations and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, resources, buildings, facilities, transportation channels, and operations to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Develop building construction plans, specifications, timelines, and cost estimates; updating design plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design, construction, rehabilitation, and remediation of building and infrastructure projects, ensuring durability of materials and structural soundness from loads and pressures caused by environmental or human influence. 
• Oversees the development and implementation of advanced technologies, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of occupants and end-users, implementing future-ready solutions with architectural design standards.
• Lead larger-scale architecture projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
• Review and approve permit applications, design plans and specifications, integrated management plans, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure compliance with applicable state and/or federal regulations and sound architectural practice and standards.
• Meet with various public or private entities or individuals to discuss issues relating to a variety of architectural/construction challenges and programs. 
• Ensure technical reports and presentations explain research, findings, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or construction issues or opportunities. 
• Develop a client base for providing high level architecture services including identifying additional business development opportunities.
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Remain current in latest architecture techniques and practices.
• Proactively initiate collaboration with professionals from a variety of disciplines, subcontractors, and building authorities on Federal, State, regional, local, and privately funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, or closely related discipline.
• 10 years of relevant post education experience in learned discipline. 
• Essential professional licensure/certification.
• Highly proficient with architectural principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to project work-related issues.
• Highly proficient with extensive experience in building planning, drawing standards, design, and program/construction management; including project involvement in a variety of restorative and new design. 
• Strong creative, visualization, and technical drawing skills.
• Proficient with process and concepts for sustainability, green building design, and reducing and eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances/greenhouse gas.
• Strong knowledge of relevant construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Highly proficient with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of architectural principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons and illustrations to the appropriate regulations. 
• Experience with planning and conducting inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of buildings, facilities, or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing intricate ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, REVIT, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite), technology, math principles, graphics, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, feedback, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree is preferred.

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