Senior Manager - Design + Development, Capital Projects

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for assembling and driving execution of the capital budget, together with Asset Management and Property Management. Pull together the capital plans from both functions, help prioritize and finalize the budget for Executive review, and then drive the execution of that budget/plan over the course of the year through collaboration with all stakeholders. Manager and support design services for the following company investments and work focus segments:

1. Capital Expenditure Investments
2. New Development Assets
3. Redevelopment/Repositioned Assets
4. Support for Tenant Improvement & Prospecting

A successful candidate will create and inspire the design direction while providing management of various internal and external resources to achieve defined goals. Leverages previous work experience as a functioning architect to effectively communicate, guide and synergize COPT’s ownership needs and manage numerous stakeholders across multiple projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Design Services Management – Feasibility, Due Diligence, Master Planning, Space Planning, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and Construction Administration.

   • Responsible for delivering all projects on schedule, within budget and ensuring high standards are upheld while creating value for COPT’s assets and the Company.
   • Manage the budgeting, design, and feasibility of the Capital Expenditure annual pipeline and 10-year plan as assigned.
   • Align the needs of both Asset and Property Management clients in executing design and management of Capital Expenditure projects.
   • Contribute to the development and redevelopment projects focusing on building efficiency, fenestration/façade style and materials, design concept, and public area design.
   • Champion for all design issues concerning a Project during the design process and construction, taking responsibility for continually reinforcing those goals with the Project Team while being respectful to the Project budget and schedule.
   • Establish the scope of service and appropriate budgets for services by Project Architect, Project Designer and other design professionals.
   • Review the design concepts and drawings for a Project and provide feedback, design suggestions and alternatives to assist in meeting COPT goals for the Project.
   • Provide design guidance for the procurement and installation of all furnishings, fixtures, amenities, signage and graphics.
   • Provide Project design guidance and comments in team meetings and formulates solutions to allow the owner/tenant’s needs to be satisfied within the building constraints.
   • Lead the continual Value Engineering sessions to assure the overall design goals are met.
   • Review schematic, design development, and construction documentation drawings and provide commentary and guidance relating to constructability, protecting COPT’s fiduciary interests, programming, and aesthetic execution of both internal and external building elements.
2. Capital Plan Development and Execution - 
   • Work in collaboration with Asset Management and Property Management, develop a process for creating and updating 5-year capital plans for each asset in the portfolio. Plans should take into consideration leasing and property operational needs, and align timing of projects to maximize benefits to the company.
   • Work with leadership of Asset Management and Property Operations, prioritize capital projects for each year to meet company budget requirements.
   • Drive execution of plan in a given budget year, coordinating with Asset Managers and Property teams to ensure projects are completed on time and budget.
   • Report progress to senior leadership on regular basis, including variances on timing and budget.
   • Work with Financial Planning and Accounting, advise Asset Management and Property Management on the availability of funds during a year to accomplish unforeseen projects.
3. Communication and Reporting - 
   • Communicate to internal and external stakeholders’ project-related issues and resolutions.
   • Communicate to the Project Design Consultant Team overall goals for a Project including the program, aesthetics, budget and schedule.
   • Present Project designs to Senior Management and multiple stakeholders (individually or in groups) to inform and secure the necessary approvals.
   • Develop relationships with and provide constant and consistent communications to corporate departments, regional teams and properties.

4. Consultant/Vendor/Contractor Management -

   • Contribute to the development of qualified bidders list of General Contractors in support of the project team.
   • Review payment requisitions, change order requests etc. in support of the project team.
   • Perform visits for Project meetings to review progress of construction and mock-ups and participate in resolving design related challenges.
   • Provide information to consultants regarding COPT design programming requirements, including criteria based on operating properties needs and COPT Design Guidelines.
   • Develop, execute and manage design related contracts in accordance with divisional contracting policies and corporate guidelines.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote the development of both internal and external resources to meet the changing project requirements of the department.
• Market and actively support the products and services provided by Design, Construction and Development.
• Share best practices and lessons learned to promote continuous product and process improvement.
• Liaison with internal and external procurement to assure the accuracy of Bill of Materials and expeditious ordering and delivery of furniture, fixtures and equipment.
• Assist regional COPT offices as needed.
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education - 

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Interior Architecture, or Equivalent.
• Dual degree in Architecture and Real Estate Development, a plus.

Further Training - 

• History of continuing education and professional organization involvement in field.
• Architectural license, a plus.

Professional Experience - 

• 5-8+ years experience in architectural/interiors field.
• Progressive increases in responsibility, i.e.: draftsperson, project designer, job captain or lead designer.
• Documented work under a registered architect, IDP or other.
• Portfolio of work examples reflective of large “Class A”, contemporary, dynamic projects.
• Demonstrated work examples of design communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to execute complete set of architectural documentation.
• Ability to work across department lines servicing a variety of stakeholder needs, personalities and goals.
• Preferred concentrations in commercial office, hospitality, mixed use design, retail real estate and master-planning (mid and high-rise design).
• Ability to understand and leverage commercial leasing, project and development economics, critically analyze the relationships of these metrics and how they affect the design of our assets.

Computer Skills - 

• PC proficiency to include, but not limited to, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Revit, AutoCAD, Sketch-Up, PhotoShop and other design related technologies.
• Ability to adapt to new or changing software programs.

Mobility - Occasional travel may be required.

Other Requirements - 

• Knowledge of workplace and building design trends.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills for communicating across all levels of an organization.
• Strong organization and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated history of successful design presentations to key stakeholders, broad audiences, and the public.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to prioritize, frame problems and pose solutions quickly and concisely.
• Ability to accomplish objectives through influence and persuasion.
• Excellent customer service capability with both internal and external customers.
• Experience working in a public company a plus.