This role can be located in our St. Louis or Chicago offices

NewGround

NewGround is the industry leader in designing, building, and strategizing for financial institution and retail spaces. From banks and credit unions to major retailers, we set the standard for next generation workplace and retail solutions, and we have for over 100 years. Our wide-spread team includes architects, engineers, interior designers, strategy experts, and more, all with a creative and passionate mindset. NewGround approaches every client and project with the same core values: Service, Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration, Communication. We ingrain these core values into every aspect of our organization, at all levels. We have a wide-spread regional presence throughout the U.S. and Canada, with a headquarters located in St. Louis and additional locations in Chicago, Honolulu, and Waterloo, Ontario. Our diverse team of creative professionals always strive to set a new industry standard, and help our clients master their spaces and facilities.

The Role:

The Design Architect, or Senior Design Architect / Senior Architectural Designer dependent upon level of experience as outlined later, serves as the leader of the project team and is responsible for all front-end design administration as well as representing the company to the client. The position requires a strong background in generating and translating concepts into final solutions, in directing a project design team, and in materials and methods of construction.

Skills:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
• Proficient in current version of AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Working knowledge of Revit and 3D Modeling software preferred
• Substantial experience in project management including delivering and clearly communicating conceptual design solutions to the production team for preparation of construction documents
• Sufficient knowledge of engineering disciplines to evaluate consultant work
• Knowledge of building materials, specification, and construction techniques
• Excellent visual and oral presentation skills
• Experience with the development of project cost estimates and general knowledge of value engineering techniques
• Ability to organize and prioritize personal workload and make necessary adjustments in meeting strict deadlines

Responsibilities:

• Work independently and provide guidance and supervision of team members
• Strong communication skills to work with clients, field personnel and internal departments in achieving deadlines and quality work
• Maintain continual client contact thru the Design Development phase and support Project Architect as needed from Construction Documents through construction to ensure expected deliverables are met
• Maintain quality control as related to design
• Carry out the overall architectural design of the project, utilizing the assigned project design team
• Support all disciplines as needed during construction of the project
• Meet the design schedule and design construction budget
• Attend all design meetings
• Perform all other related work, as assigned or as apparent

Schematic Design and Design Development Phase:

• Participate in ideation sessions, in the development or design brief
• Prepare a written program with client in collaboration with the client management team and the NewGround strategy team
• Develop total architectural solution (budget, deliverables, and schedule)
• Develop conceptual site plan through consultation with civil engineers
• Assist in coordination of due diligence services
• Develop submittal packages for local planning commission approvals
• Research and select basic materials, and develop basic exterior wall sections and critical details
• Consult with engineers in selection of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems
• Research and interpret applicable codes and regulations
• Prepare Outline Specification
• Supervise preparation of all necessary materials and exhibits for design presentations

Construction Documents Phase:

• Provide comprehensive Design Development Package to the Director of Production and present the project to the production team at the Construction Document kick-off meeting, initiating the beginning of the Construction Document Phase
• Provide design input and support production department as needed during development of working drawings
• Ensure that office architectural design policies, procedures, and standards are followed
• Regularly review status of working drawings to be sure design intent and client expectations have been met
• Attend all meetings as necessary
• Perform final design intent review of all working drawings

Bidding Phase:

• Be available for questions
• Assist in advising on architectural portions of ASI's, as needed to accomplish design intent, with production team

Construction Phase:

• Address design intent questions from the production team, related to shop drawings
• Make periodic site visits to observe the progress and character of the project
• Address design intent questions from the production team as needed for development of ASI's and RFI's
• Coordinate and respond to RFI's

Expectations:

• Travel can be extensive at times
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects
• Self-starter, team player/coach
• Maintain strong relationship with client throughout the duration of the project
• Mentor junior staff

Prerequisites:

• Architectural License required for Senior Design Architect and Design Architect
• NCARB certification preferred for Senior Design Architect and Design Architect
• Multiple State Architectural Licenses preferred for Senior Design Architect and Design Architect
• 10 years of professional experience in commercial architecture required for Senior Design Architect and Senior Architectural Designer
• 3 - 10 years of professional experience in commercial architecture required for Design Architect
• Experience in design of corporate headquarters / office buildings preferred
• Experience in retail design preferred
• Revit experience is preferred
• LEED AP credential preferred
• WELL AP credential preferred

Why Our People Love Working at NewGround:

• NewGround values our employees, and we want everyone to have fun doing what they love. We take great pride in knowing that nearly a third of our employees have been with NewGround for more than 10 years, some as long as 30 years.
• We understand the importance of an employee's first day, first week, first month, and first year. We've created multiple learning programs for a specialized new-hire experience aimed at helping employees feel informed and equipped to succeed. We implement virtual and in-person trainings so new members can hear directly from experienced team members what it's like to work for NewGround.
• We take great pride in our employees and celebrate them every chance we get. We celebrate annual anniversaries for when employees started at NewGround and our annual service awards to highlight exceptional staff and learn about our fellow team members together.
• We recognize how important career development is, and we offer several opportunities for growth and advancement. We work with our employees to know what their goals are and how they can achieve them while at NewGround.
• Having a balance between your work life and your home life is important. We support our employees' balanced lifestyles which includes a hybrid work environment for our office teams.
• We pride ourselves on our commitment to our community. NewGround's offices continuously find new ways to get involved and volunteer, whether it be through hosting blood drives, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, friendly fundraising competitions, or through our annual United Way campaign.

NewGround is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No phone calls please. We do not utilize staffing services.