List of Responsibilities
The Associate forms part of the engineering team within the global structure of the company and assumes general responsibilities that pro-actively contribute to the growth of Façade engineering and deisgn capabilities across the globe.
This includes responsibility for all design, engineering, documentation, administration and compliance with project constraints undertaken for Façade and all other disciplines. You may lead, develop, and manage a team of up to 5 direct reports. You may also need to fulfil any legal responsibilities commensurate with your position.
The following is an overview of responsibilities and performance standards required of the Façade Designer:
- Strategic Management
- Financial Management
- Marketing and Business Development
- Staff Management, Mentoring and Training
- Client Management
- Project Management
- Consultancy Function
- Technical Excellence
- Personal Growth
Strategic Management
The Associate will contribute to short and long-term regional planning and assist in driving forward the strategy that embodies Inhabit’s values, vision, mission and objectives to successfully grow the business including:
- Assist in developing the regional business plan aligned to Inhabit strategic plan to be approved by the Regional Director. Assist in setting regional objectives and in preparing and implementing strategies to achieve the business plan. Ensure staff are well informed and up to date on developments that affect them
- Assist in undertaking regional future workforce planning and projects with an emphasis on growth and innovation.
Financial Management
The Associate shall assist in the proper financial management including:
- Assist in the development and implementation of annual budgets and ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place
- Monitor financial aspects of projects including monthly invoicing to ensure the accuracy and debtor collection
- Follow up with clients on overdue fees for debtors greater than 90 days
- Assist in reviewing and monitoring monthly financial reports
- Assisting in managing business risks by following appropriate risk appraisal procedures prior to signing (and following award of) any consulting commission
Marketing and Business Development
The Associate shall actively participate in the marketing of the practice as a multi-disciplined engineering company and shall achieve agreed targets in all aspects of practice development, including:
- Maximise cross-selling opportunities for Inhabit and prepare project proposals to support profit targets including, where necessary, co-ordination of inputs from other disciplines
- Conduct presentations of proposals for prospective clients and/or projects
- Raise any challenges in competitive pricing across the region with the Regional Manager and propose solutions
- Build and expand the client base of Inhabit based on both established, prospective and new client relationships that you secure in the region
- Network within the Industry to develop industry intelligence, define and implement strategies to meet any challenges
- Ensure active participation in a broad range of client-focused functions, networking events, conferences, seminars, committees etc. to enhance the professional image of both the Associate and Inhabit
Staff Management, Mentoring and Training
The Associate is responsible for ensuring staff are managed and supported effectively including:
- Encourage and role model respectful, supportive and positive engagement and interactions across disciplines/support functions and all other Inhabit offices to support positive culture and drive engagement
- Identify the deliverables, tasks and activities required for workload throughout all phases of the project to ensure adequate staff resourcing and tools are available to meet project deliverables and expectations
- Provide technical leadership, guidance, mentoring and support and build and oversee staff technical development to maintain standards and to operate efficiently
- Ensure staff are following Inhabit’s quality management system
- Hold regular meetings with the Technical Team to discuss scheduling of work in a planned manner including distribution of workload, resources etc. to meet deliverables
- Assist in setting objectives and standards for the expected performance of staff and encourage regular feedback discussions on project successes and challenges to capture lessons learned
- Assist in conducting regular and effective Performance Reviews in accordance within Inhabits’ review system for your direct reports and provide ongoing/regular feedback to foster work performance improvements and promote professional growth of staff
- Identify training needs of the team to increase their skill level, development and growth
- Identify training opportunities, both internally and externally including seminars, events, conferences, talks, university lectures, factory visits, construction phase training etc., to assist with the development of the team and to address any knowledge and skill gaps. Support staff writing technical notes from these training opportunities and/or project experiences
- Encourage and promote Inhabit online materials, technical notes, technical library
- Communicate regularly and proactively with Senior Management as required to assist the process of managing your work/lifestyle balance and of your team
- Ensure staff adhere to and are familiar with all Health and Safety requirements and safe work practices
Client Management
The Associate shall continually strengthen client loyalty and gain repeat business by ensuring high-quality service and creative (‘Leading Edge’) solutions to clients by way of:
- Communicate with clients to establish their needs and maintain a dialogue throughout the project
- Monitor feedback from clients and develop and implement action plans for continuous improvement
- Identify and implement ways to enhance current service offerings, systems and processes from a client and business perspective to maximise Inhabit’s competitive advantage
- Identify and implement ways to enhance internal systems, processes and procedures to improve client satisfaction
- Be a role model for exceptional favourable record in client response to timeliness, quality of work and high technical standing on projects and manage in conjunction with Project Director/Leader any client complaints
- Continually aim for repeat and new business from all clients in contact with Inhabit
Project Management
The Associate will provide leadership to ensure the efficient and profitable completion of all tasks and projects under their control whilst ensuring the allocation of adequate resources, excellent technical standards and client satisfaction including:
- Provide overall strategy and technical solutions as required for project challenges
- Undertake or assist the project leaders with negotiation of fees and contracts where appropriate to ensure financial targets are achieved
- Manage business risks by following appropriate risk appraisal procedures prior to the signing contracts
- Allocate and manage project personnel to suit programs and project budgets
- Project lead internally with respective team colleagues to allow deliverables to be issued to client
- Coordinate and work with the design team to deliver project deliverables
- Help solve client/project team’s problems by lateral thinking and creating innovative solutions
- Ensure quality outputs and agreed cost/scheduled delivery time frames are met
- Manage projects, site meetings, design workshops and site inspection as required and/or as project planning stipulates
- As Project Leader, monitor and report on team performance against agreed timelines, and fees/budgets
- Oversee the work of Sub Consultants/Contractors and review outputs produced by them
- Ensure project sheets for each project are undertaken for compliance with project and office QA procedures
Consultancy Function
The Associate shall assist in the consultancy functions including:
- Preparation and coordination of expressions of interest, tender submissions and similar consulting proposals
- Maintain a hands-on approach to the provision of design and engineering, and assist in the co-ordination of other disciplines.
- Contribute and monitor the design and engineering of curtain wall and cladding systems, as well as specialty systems (i.e., structural glass, cables, ETFE etc.)
- Oversee engineering computations and structural façade analysis, advice and reporting
- Meet with architects to develop façade design concepts, detailing, specifications, and engineering feasibility and coordinate with other project consultants such as Builders, Contractors and Sub Contractors to determine best practice façade design outcomes
- Write and review specifications and schedules to inform and respond to site and construction related queries
- Review and comment on sub-contractor’s shop drawings & calculations, BD submission drawings, fabrication drawings & material submission
- Follow the general drawing protocols and cad file system set by Inhabit
- Provide assistance during construction of façade systems including attendance mock-up testing, shop drawing reviews and c