Associate Studio Lead - PLA

Title: Associate Studio Lead

Division: Planning and Landscape Architecture

LJA recognizes that our success depends on the quality of the people we hire. We are currently seeking highly talented individuals that take pride in their work, function exceptionally well in team environments, and contribute to the overall success of the company. As a 100% employee-owned company, we promote an entrepreneurial spirit that helps drive the bottom line and the long-term professional and financial success of our employees. With more than 70 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future.

Summary: The Architecture Team at LJA is growing rapidly and is looking for team members prepared for the challenge of implementing big ideas. From leveraging internal departments like civil engineering and land planning to working with various specialists to implement new technologies and software the Architecture team is building the foundations for a future that integrates data, research, and the latest innovations through a multi-disciplinary studio team and our internal design process.

Project Responsibilities:

• Manage small-medium projects while meeting the needs of the Studio Lead as a team member on larger projects at all phases.
• Maintain project design styles, aesthetics, and quality to ensure high-quality required for clients’ needs in decision-making and marketing. Work with the Studio Lead and Project Principals to ensure the projects deliver upon client needs, budgets, and capacities.
• Understand workloads needed to meet projects timelines and work with Senior Leadership on scheduling
• Lead and assist project Designers and staff to develop working drawings, plans, and documents for construction, finishing, and interior design for projects based on project needs and requirements.
• Prepare sketches, models, renderings and other graphic tools for communication to clients.
• Responsible for keeping project information well-coordinated between project team members
• Promptly and regularly communicate with clients, other consultants, and team members to both successfully deliver high-quality, built projects and to develop long-term relationships
• Continue development of skills in graphic communication, efficiency, and knowledge in areas of design including, but not limited to, site design, building design, and constructability.

General Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Actively work with senior staff to implement new and improve existing techniques, tools, and processes in both the delivery and administration of projects.
• Work with Studio Lead to develop and maintain libraries of specific styles of graphics to expand capacity for additional team members to assist in graphic creation.
• Mentor junior staff on design processes and professional development.
• Actively work towards a positive environment and motivate team members to improve.
• Participate in relevant professional and community organizations to grow professional network & skills and to increase exposure to the team
• Continue to develop strong communication skills: verbal, written, & graphic
• Attendance of relevant regional/state conferences/workshops to keep up on current trends & techniques and to increase professional network and BD exposure
• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant and appropriate regulations at local, regional, and federal levels
• Assist in the creation of materials in response to RFQ’s and RFP’s as part of team project pursuits
• Begin to pursue relevant credentials including, but not limited to, AIA, NCARB, LEED, etc.

Team Leadership Expectations:

• Actively work with senior staff to implement new and improve existing techniques, tools, and processes in both delivery and administration of projects.
• Assist on scheduling and workloads to maintain balanced calendars for Junior Staff
• Develop an understanding of the billing process and support PMs and Principals in keeping projects within budget
• Participate in meetings, conversations, and initiatives with Senior Staff as need/assigned
• Begin to participate in the development of proposals and SOQs and work with more senior staff to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the process of bringing new projects to the firm.

Required Education/Licenses:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture (or related fields)
• NCARB licensure a plus but not required.
• LJA will provide mentorship and experience as required for AXP for those working toward licensure.

Required Experience:

• 5 years of professional experience
• Capable of independent work and managing small to medium projects
• Ability to consistently perform in a fast-paced environment
• Strong Site and Design Skills
• Strong foundation in Graphic Communication
• Strong presentation skills
• Proficient in/familiar with commonly used software such as: AutoCAD, Sketch-up, Photoshop, InDesign, Enscape, Revit, Microsoft Office