Department Manager - Senior Architect

C&S Companies

$90K — $120K *
Real Estate & Construction
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) from an accredited institution
  • Licensed Architect in good standing; multi-state licensure preferred
  • Minimum 12 years of progressive architectural experience, including 3 years in a leadership role
  • Experience with building codes, zoning regulations, and site analysis across various project types
  • Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, and project management tools
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of architects and designers
  • Oversee departmental workload and resource planning to meet project schedules
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
  • Collaborate on strategic initiatives with other department managers
  • Serve as Principal-in-Charge or Project Manager on select projects
  • Review and approve key project deliverables to ensure compliance
  • Coordinate effectively with engineering disciplines and contractors

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Support for obtaining sustainability credentials
  • Engagement with a diverse range of project types
  • Collaborative company culture
  • Flexible work arrangements available
Full Job Description
Position Overview

C&S Companies is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Architect to serve as Department Manager within our Architecture and Interior Design practice. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department, guiding project teams through all phases of design and delivery, and serving as a trusted resource for clients and staff alike. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to delivering high-quality design solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of architects, designers, and support staff
  • Oversee department workload, staffing assignments, and resource planning to meet project schedules and budgets
  • Foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
  • Collaborate with other department managers and firm leadership on strategic initiatives and business development

Project Management and Delivery
  • Serve as Principal-in-Charge or Project Manager on select commissions, providing technical oversight from programming through construction administration
  • Review and approve project deliverables at key milestones to confirm compliance with scope, schedule, and budget
  • Coordinate with engineering disciplines, subconsultants, and contractors to maintain project momentum and resolve technical issues

Technical Practice
  • Research and evaluate client requirements, building codes, zoning regulations, and site data to inform design decisions and project feasibility
  • Apply knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal codes to all project types within the department's portfolio
  • Lead design reviews and quality control processes to confirm documents are complete, coordinated, and constructible
  • Stay current with evolving codes, materials, technologies, and industry best practices

Client and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a primary point of contact for key accounts
  • Lead client meetings, presentations, and project kick-off sessions
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities in coordination with the firm's marketing and business development teams

Qualifications

Required
  • Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) from an accredited institution
  • Licensed Architect in good standing; licensure in multiple states a plus
  • Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in architectural practice, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role
  • Demonstrated experience researching and applying building codes, zoning regulations, and site analysis to a broad range of project types
  • Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and project management tools
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred
  • LEED accreditation or other sustainability credentials
  • Prior project experience in healthcare, higher education, government, aviation, and/or industrial sectors preferred
  • Experience managing term contracts or on-call agreements with public clients
  • Familiarity with state agency submission processes (e.g., SED, DOH, OGS)

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