Our client has earned a national reputation for award-winning excellence in real estate development, acquiring and developing holdings with a value in excess of $2.5 billion in 10 states. The firm focuses on the acquisition and repositioning of existing multifamily properties, the adaptive reuse of historic structures and developing new, complexly structured mixed-income housing communities.  As long-term owners, the group is devoted to the communities it serves. The company builds high-quality housing and lasting developments that provide all residents improved access to economic opportunity. 

The company is looking to streamline the preconstruction phase of its residential developments, from project inception through completion of construction documents, to avoid costly change orders and schedule delays. To this end the team is seeking a Director of Design & Preconstruction who is a critical thinker and can manage the external design team and work with internal stake holders. The Director will play a key role in reorganizing the preconstruction process by working with the development, construction and property management/operations staff to create effective standards and guidelines for project execution. The Director will also play a pivotal role in coordinating all the design work by bringing together architects, engineers, consultants, and internal stakeholders to create coordinated designs that can be relied on by the development team during the build process and by the asset management team during ownership of the asset.  Over time it’s expected that this Director will play a lead role in evaluating and re-shaping the firm’s internal construction management function. 

This is a key leadership role in the organization, working directly with executive leadership across all functions and regions where the firm is actively developing: New England, NY/NJ and the mid Atlantic. 

Job Responsibilities

Preconstruction Tasks:

• Present design concepts and prototypes to stakeholders and management teams and gain project scope and design approval in preconstruction phase.
• Coordinate/Advise on due diligence for new projects with development team. Includes working with civil engineer and geotechnical engineer as well as internal staff.
• Identify potential risks and challenges throughout the project lifecycle, develop mitigation strategies and back up plans to minimize disruptions and cost over runs.
• Support and advise internal construction team on the procurement process, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and vendor management.
• Understand/Tracks hard cost budgets during design phase and work with development team to stay on budget via project oversight, design input, and value engineering.
• Be proactive with front end focus to avoid change orders due to poor design documents or due diligence.
• Tour prospective properties/sites, if necessary, to advise development team of building condition and assess risks (Go/No-go).
• Evaluate/Review project drawings/documents for completeness and alignment with program goals and objectives. Drive design team to get well coordinated drawings and stay on schedule for funding applications, closings, etc.
• Attend OAC meetings and coordination meetings as required.
• Clearly communicate with internal team via graphic presentations and meetings during the design process.
• Work in unison with internal and external stake holders, includes VP of Development, VP of Energy and Sustainability, and Construction Managers internally and the design team externally.
• Attend local review board and department head meetings required for zoning or permitting as needed.
• Support project RFPs at the conceptual phase, advising on site planning and massing. 

Additional Tasks:

• Provide design input to development team for the “Development Checklist.” A tool to be used by the development team that tracks tasks, deadlines and key milestones and manages internal and external stakeholder communication and deliverables from project inception through conversion and asset management. 
• Create the “Design Standards,” that will provide a systematic and consistent approach to programmatic design details, promoting efficiency, quality and a unified development approach across all project types.
• Collaborate with operations team to create standards for optimal equipment and maintenance standards for projects.
• Gather information from internal stakeholders to create a preferred vendors list.
• Work with the development team to educate them how the architectural design process works so they understand when issues arise.
• Create pre-qualification documents and RFPs (as needed) for CMs and architects. Collaborate with internal development and construction managers. Review RFPs and provide council to development team for final team selection.
• Promote project goals to external team members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and innovation.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and regulatory changes related to mixed-income housing development, incorporating lessons learned into project planning and execution. 

The Director will work in parallel with the SVP of Construction and will report to the EVP of Development. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture, Building Science, MEP Engineering, or related field.
• At least 10-12 years’ experience in architecture or architectural design management (Multi-family Residential preferred).
• Professional related licenses and/or certificates.
• Demonstrated ability to project manage and work effectively with different constituents in the development environment.
• Proficient understanding of design, construction, planning and operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external team members.
  Excellent computer proficiency including Bluebeam and MS Suite.
• Experience with AutoCad and Revit and Adobe Applications.