Senior Architect, Real Estate

*Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.

*This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.

*Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

Basic Function:

The Senior Architect helps direct the design vision for Empire State Development (ESD) real estate projects. This role ensures that projects incorporate meaningful public benefits and align with New York State’s ambitious housing and climate agendas. The Senior Architect oversees project feasibility, conducts design reviews, manages legacy design modifications and monitors ongoing code compliance. This position requires close collaboration with ESD real estate project managers, technical staff, public agencies, and external consultants.

Work Performed:

• Perform physical site visits and evaluations.
• Conduct architectural and spatial feasibility studies to support preliminary financial analyses, project visioning sessions, and interagency coordination.
• Select and manage external design consultants conducting planning, infrastructure, and decarbonization studies.
• Coordinate with consultants to develop master plans and design guidelines.
• Evaluate the preliminary feasibility of proposed projects by reviewing site plans, incorporating feedback from elected officials and public stakeholders, and providing technical guidance to internal ESD departments.
• Examine physical aspects of existing structures to identify viable reuses, necessary rehabilitation work, and associated architectural costs.
• Assist in drafting and evaluating architectural and design-related sections of Requests for Proposals (RFP’s).
• Assist in reviewing and scoring RFP responses for awarding ESD development.
• Coordinate with external architectural firms on design development and the drafting of Design Guidelines governing land use, bulk, massing, etc.
• Perform reviews to ensure design documents comply with established Design Guidelines before issuing zoning approval letters.
• Coordinate design requirements with environmental compliance measures.
• Review and approve required design changes during construction.
• Review architectural bulletins, proposed design modifications and change orders for ESD funded projects prior to agency approval.
• Manage contracted third-party code compliance inspectors.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive agency compliance files and official records.
• Review post construction for substantial completion and issue substantial completion letters.
• Prepare project schedule status updates, work-in progress reports, and ESD Board materials
• Conduct internal architectural research and studies to support agency initiatives.
• Review development proposals, legal agreements and consultant contracts.
• Review and approve architectural and technical consultant invoices.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level Required: Must be a registered Architect (RA) licensed in the State of New York or a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of New York with relevant architectural design experience.

Relevant Experience required: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in planning, design, and construction of diverse building types (Including residential, commercial, and public assembly venues). Professional experience in master planning of mixed-use developments is preferred. In depth working knowledge of New York State and New York City building codes preferred. Strong familiarity with the New York City Zoning Resolution is highly preferred. Successful completion of the NYS Code Enforcement Official (CEO) training program administered by the New York State Department of State (DOS) Division of Code Enforcement and Administration preferred.

Knowledge Required: Ability to read, review, and comment on architectural design drawings, construction documents and specifications for public infrastructure, capital improvement and building projects. Broad working knowledge of structural design, construction methods/materials, building systems, specifications, and trade contracts. Familiarity with public bidding laws and public agency review processes. Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUP, Adobe Creative Cloud and ArcGIS are preferred.