Regional Architect Associate
Regional Architect Associate – Construction: Uniondale, NY
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Regional Architect Associate acts as the point person for the company in the critical period prior to lease signing and then remains engaged as the projects architect throughout the construction process. The Regional Architect must ascertain, negotiate and define a prospective tenant’s space requirements, provide a budget for the work and insure that Recksons established work letter standards are applied consistently throughout the portfolio.
As the front line for RXRs dealings with current and prospective tenants, the Regional Architect must be professional, ethical, diligent and above all entrepreneurial during all phases of the job. The essence of this position is the execution of Company strategies to provide consistent tenant improvement projects with high quality design solutions that amply address function.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Process Sales Requests from Leasing Department as assigned by the VP.
• Processing Sales requests can involve simply providing an as-built plan or a schedule for work. More frequently, Sales Requests will involve meeting with prospective and current tenants to evaluate and layout their space requirements. These requirements include the following:
A. Identification of real spaces needs (possibly inspect Tenants current office site).
B. Determine occupancy and equipment requirements.
C. Identify future needs.
D. Resolve design issues.
E. Coordinating with Tenants vendors for furniture and Telephone/data accommodations.
• Creating cost estimates based on the work letter, identifying building standard items as well as tenant requested additional work. Present completed budgets to the leasing team for review and use in their transactions.
• Create and finalize the layout plan with the prospective tenant, including compliance with the design intent and with the negotiated work allotment (often times the Regional Architect will visit a space in our portfolio in conjunction with preparing the exhibit plans and budgets) .
• Provide the final layout, known as the “lease exhibit” to be attached to the lease at the end of the lease negotiation.
• Review lease drafts and final issuance of lease for compliance with the exhibit plans and work letter budget created for the project.
• Consolidate the design/budget package via a comprehensive form to be submitted to Central Architecture. This form will provide Central Architecture with a cohesive understanding of the requirements for the development of the construction documents.
• Ensure the construction documents and revisions are delivered within the established target dates to insure the prompt and effective completion of the project.
• Review the completed construction documents from Central Architecture to insure compliance with governmental building codes, design intent and other provisions as defined in the lease.
• Transmit completed construction documents to the tenant for final approval, indicated by returning a full set of plans with each sheet signed and dated as approved, or approved as noted.
• Review the approved construction documents with the project manager prior to and during the bid phase. Provide the PM with an overview of the project requirements and provide them with the appropriate tenant contacts.
• As the Architect, provide support to project managers including selection of finishes, negotiation of extra work orders with Tenants, coordinating plan revisions based on field conditions-tenant requests for additional work and issuing “Tenant Delay” notices for design related delays.
• Undertake the traditional role of the Architect in assisting with the filing and expediting of permits and certificates of occupancy with the various municipalities in which we work. Make a concerted and coordinated effort with the VP to develop relationships with the various building department personnel, especially plans examiners and commissioners.
• Provide regular and consistent feedback to the Construction Administrative Assistant regarding the status of Sales Requests, tenant correspondence and approvals so that the Admin may update the Reckson Construction and Development database.
• Maintain appropriate marketing data for properties relative to plans, square footage, and building specifications.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ATRIBUTES
• Minimum 3-5 years experience providing commercial interior space planning and budgeting services with an established architectural firm or real estate company.
• Professional registration as an Architect in NYS preferred but not required if experience is sufficient.
• Minimum, 4-year B.S. in Architecture/Architectural Technology for a Registered Professional candidate, 5-year professional degree in architecture preferred and required for non-registered candidates. 4 yr degree in Interior design with relevant experience also appropriate.
• Must be creative and should have the esthetic capability to visualize space and develop concepts for marketing and presentation.
• Must have a good overview of the technical aspects of construction to work within the framework of design conceptualization.
• Must be an expert user of the latest versions Autocad and Architectural Desktop. Candidate may be asked to complete a small exercise in Autocad to demonstrate proficiency.
• Must be a ‘people person’, communicative, an outstanding listener that pays particular attention to details and should be savvy in picking up nuances to successfully tailor programs within a space.
• Must possess sound judgment and an entrepreneurial spirit to effectively negotiate the sale of a product (i.e., space) on behalf of the company.
• Project the highest level of professional appearance and conduct.
• Must be intelligent, highly organized, motivated, self-starter.
• A hard worker, one who must be diligent and focused, and who enjoys hard work and its rewards.
• Effectively work under pressure and can prioritize work to ensure it is completed under intense deadlines.
• Computer conversant and proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook.
• Strong analytical skills. Must be able to read a lease document and insure the lease conforms to the established work letter, and vice versa.
• Personable, able to deal within the framework of a large organization and work with others as a team player.