Lead Architect

Lead ArchitectNYC Commercial, Mixed-Use Regulatory Compliance Projects

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Architect to direct architectural design, technical production, code and zoning coordination, agency approvals, consultant management, and project delivery across a portfolio of New York City commercial, retail, restaurant, mixed-use, residential, and regulatory compliance projects.

This is a senior leadership role for an architect who can take a project from initial due diligence and feasibility through design, DOB approval, construction administration, inspections, and closeout. The right candidate must be able to lead both the technical work and the people responsible for producing it.

This role is not limited to creating design concepts or reviewing finished drawing sets. The Lead Architect will be expected to identify risks early, establish clear project paths, direct internal production staff, coordinate consultants, manage difficult code and zoning conditions, communicate with clients, and deliver complete, buildable, approvable work.

Key ResponsibilitiesArchitectural Leadership and Project Delivery

• Lead architectural projects from feasibility and schematic design through construction documents, agency approvals, construction administration, and project closeout.
• Establish project scope, technical requirements, drawing standards, consultant needs, deliverables, schedules, and internal responsibilities.
• Direct project teams in producing accurate, coordinated, code-compliant architectural drawing sets.
• Review all major submissions before issuance for technical quality, code compliance, coordination, completeness, and constructability.
• Take ownership of project progress, design decisions, filing readiness, client communication, and resolution of technical issues.
• Manage multiple active projects while maintaining clear priorities, accountability, and documentation.

NYC Code, Zoning and Agency Approvals

• Provide senior-level review and guidance regarding the NYC Building Code, NYC Zoning Resolution, accessibility requirements, egress, occupancy, use, fire and life safety, construction classification, and applicable agency requirements.
• Evaluate properties and proposed work for approval risks, zoning limitations, Certificate of Occupancy issues, existing noncompliant conditions, violations, open applications, and legacy filing conflicts.
• Develop practical approval strategies for complex alterations, legalizations, occupancy changes, commercial interiors, restaurant spaces, retail spaces, mixed-use properties, and closeout matters.
• Coordinate with filing representatives, expediters, special inspectors, engineers, contractors, and agency personnel to advance applications through approval and sign-off.
• Support responses to DOB objections, audits, determinations, reconsiderations, and agency comments.
• Coordinate projects involving DOB, FDNY, LPC, DEP, DOT, HPD, OATH/ECB, and other relevant agencies, where applicable.

Design and Technical Production Oversight

• Lead the development of architectural plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, zoning diagrams, life safety plans, accessibility details, and construction documentation.
• Ensure drawing packages are coordinated with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, energy, civil, lighting, kitchen, and specialty consultant requirements.
• Review existing conditions, surveys, site documentation, historical records, and field observations prior to design development and filing.
• Provide technical direction to junior architects, designers, draftspersons, and consultants.
• Establish and maintain high standards for document quality, drawing accuracy, annotations, code references, details, and submission readiness.
• Reduce avoidable objections, RFIs, field conflicts, change orders, and construction delays through disciplined technical review.

Construction Administration and Field Coordination

• Provide architectural leadership during construction, including responses to RFIs, submittal reviews, design clarifications, field observations, punch lists, and closeout coordination.
• Attend site meetings and identify deviations from approved drawings, coordination conflicts, code issues, quality concerns, and corrective requirements.
• Work closely with construction teams, inspectors, consultants, and ownership to resolve field issues efficiently and document decisions properly.
• Coordinate project completion requirements, inspections, sign-offs, Letters of Completion, Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, Final Certificates of Occupancy, and other closeout items, as applicable.
• Help ensure the completed work is consistent with approved plans, contractual requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

Client, Consultant and Team Management

• Serve as a senior client-facing architect who can explain project risks, approval strategies, design decisions, schedules, required actions, and technical constraints clearly.
• Manage outside consultants, engineers, filing professionals, vendors, and internal staff to ensure timely, coordinated deliverables.
• Prepare and review proposals, scopes of work, project narratives, meeting summaries, status reports, and technical correspondence.
• Mentor junior architectural and production staff while maintaining accountability for deadlines and quality.
• Participate in improving internal project management, documentation, quality control, filing, and compliance workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Active New York State Registered Architect license in good standing.
• Minimum 8–10 years of architectural experience, with substantial experience on New York City projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading architectural projects from initial planning through approvals, construction documentation, construction administration, and closeout.
• Strong working knowledge of the NYC Building Code, NYC Zoning Resolution, accessibility requirements, life safety requirements, and DOB approval procedures.
• Experience preparing and reviewing complete architectural filing and construction document sets.
• Ability to independently analyze zoning, occupancy, egress, use, construction type, fire protection, accessibility, and existing building conditions.
• Proven experience managing clients, internal production staff, engineers, consultants, contractors, and agency-related professionals.
• Strong technical writing, verbal communication, documentation, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, and project/document management systems.
• Ability to work in person from a Midtown Manhattan office and attend NYC project sites and meetings as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with commercial interiors, restaurants, hospitality, retail spaces, mixed-use buildings, multifamily residential properties, and adaptive reuse projects.
• Experience with DOB alteration filings, Alt-CO applications, TCO and Final CO matters, legalization, Place of Assembly, violation correction, and permit closeout.
• Familiarity with DOB NOW, BIS, FDNY, LPC, DEP, DOT, HPD, OATH/ECB, and inter-agency project coordination.
• Experience with regulatory compliance assessments, due diligence reviews, existing condition investigations, and complex building approval strategies.
• Experience directing Revit-based production teams or coordinating BIM workflows.
• Experience in a design-build, owner’s representative, construction administration, or integrated compliance-oriented practice.
• Professional membership or credentials such as AIA, LEED, WELL, Passive House, or other relevant certifications are a plus, but not required.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a licensed architect who combines technical competence, judgment, accountability, and urgency.

This person should be able to:

• Lead complex NYC projects without waiting for every decision to be handed down.
• Recognize approval, code, coordination, and construction risks before they become expensive problems.
• Produce and enforce high-quality drawing and documentation standards.
• Communicate directly and confidently with clients, consultants, contractors, staff, and agency-related professionals.
• Manage several active projects while preserving control of details, schedules, deliverables, and accountability.
• Mentor staff without becoming the person who quietly fixes everyone’s mistakes at midnight.
• Understand that strong architecture in New York City requires design ability, technical discipline, agency knowledge, and actual execution.

Work Schedule and Location

• Full-time position.
• Primary work location: New York, NY 10018.
• This is an in-person role during the initial ramp-up period.
• Availability for client meetings, consultant coordination, agency matters, site visits, construction meetings, and urgent project issues is required.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, portfolio, and a brief cover letter describing your NYC architectural experience, project leadership background, code and zoning expertise, and relevant approval or construction administration experience.

Send applications to talent@azark.com with the subject line:

Lead Architect Position

Application Questions

Please answer the following with your application:

• Are you currently licensed as a Registered Architect in New York State?
• How many years of architectural experience do you have on New York City projects?
• What types of commercial, mixed-use, residential, retail, restaurant, or regulatory compliance projects have you led?
• Describe your experience with NYC DOB filings, zoning analysis, code review, objections, approvals, TCO/Final CO, legalization, or project closeout.
• What software platforms do you use proficiently, including AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe, and project management systems?
• Are you available to work in person in New York, NY 10018 and attend project sites throughout New York City?

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are evaluated based on qualifications, experience, technical ability, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Work Location: In Person

Pay: $91,739.12 - $140,481.52 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $91,739 - $140,482