Portfolio Director - Architect

Position Description
The Architect Portfolio Director leads the architecture design team in developing design solutions and assumes responsibility for design concepts. This role involves preparing project documentation for tenders and construction, planning workflows for the team and individual designers, and assisting with resource allocation for architecture projects. The Director clarifies project scope, prepares schedules for review, manages cost control for both turnkey and consulting architecture projects, and holds overall responsibility for the architecture team's profit and loss. 

Key responsibilities also include mentoring, training, supervising, and managing architects to achieve high-quality design and detailing, ensuring adherence to company policies, supporting marketing and business development efforts, and liaising with the Managing Director on team management and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Architecture
• Minimum 10 years experience in architectural design

Responsibilities

1. Project Startup and Planning
   • Finalize the client brief for approval and sign off.
   • Review and summarize all statutory requirements for local authority submissions.
   • Prepare a list of documents to form the design documentation and working drawings package.
   • Assist in preparing the client service or turnkey contract in coordination with the Project Director.
   • Collect briefing requirements and details of the project brief from the client.
2. Design and Documentation
   • Prepare sketch designs including perspectives, material selections etc.
   • Revise the design based on client input.
   • Prepare drawing documentation after signing final design development by client.
   • Present the design concept to the client with the Project Director.
   • Visit the site to take site measurements, digital photographs and investigate the area.
   • Coordinate with the M&E consultant or other project consultants.
   • Coordinate with the BIM team to prepare construction documentation for both architectural, interior and M&E work including details and specification.
   • Forward sketch designs, details and materials of interior design and furniture for input by the BIM team and 3D (if necessary).
   • Balance AI-generated design options with human judgment and creative direction
   • Actively integrate sustainable design principles and practices into all project designs, considering material selection, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental impact in alignment with relevant international standards and DWP's sustainability goals.
3. Project Management
   • Assist the Designer to develop details and cross check with other relevant documents such as M/E.
   • Ensure compliance with the design specifications.
   • Prepare a plan, including resources, to produce a proposal.
   • Maintain a register of all contractor communications.
   • Coordinate with the client's cost consultant/QS to develop and finalize budget details.
   • Prepare final as-built drawing documentation to submit to the client.
   • Issue information to the contractors in regards to RFI, change orders, additional details, site instructions and variations.
   • Attend site meetings as necessary.
4. IT
   • Coordinate with the IT team to update the dwp design database which includes 3D presentation images, BIM Library, photographs, products and projects.
5. Marketing and Business Development
   • Add and update information in Google Gmail and CRM  including dwp contacts categories.
   • Prepare appropriate proposals.
6. Administration
   • Coordinate the junior BIM and architects, train and supervise BIM staff in dwp BIM layering object naming and BIM drawing guidelines.
7. Quality
   • Ensure that the Quality Management system is implemented and maintained and evaluate where continual improvement can be made.
8. Corporate Management
   • Responsibilities include recruiting, developing and managing the work performance and behavior of employees in the Architecture studio.
9. Technology & AI Integration
   • Implement the use of approved AI tools, including LLMs and Generative AI in projects.
   • Oversee the use of AI tools by the design team to enhance communication, data management, research and information retrieval, and process automation.
   • Provide training to the design team to implement the use of AI tools.