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Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is seeking a Mandarin-speaking project architect to join its team in London.

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.  We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration.  Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM means:

• ideas:  We believe in a meritocracy of ideas.  We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm
• knowledge:  We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning.  We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge
• product:  We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work
• individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work.  Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm
• team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration.  A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential
• firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work

Position responsibilities:

• actively leads entire scope of a project with limited supervision by project leadership. Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem-solving and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a project level
• produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models, and animations
• effectively communicate internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means in both English and Mandarin Chinese
• creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability and integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of a project
• actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas. Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office
• demonstrates an advanced understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques. Is able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases
• manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with limited interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff
• leads and guides the project team in identifying the appropriate follow-up process to address action items during all project phases
• responsible for construction phase (construction administration) services including but not limited to, reviewing shop drawings and sample submittals, coordinating and developing responses to contractor or client questions, inquiries or RFI’s

Leadership responsibilities:

• inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognised abilities and potential
• develops and/or manages, in collaboration with team members, a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule
• actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities
• contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge
• contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures

Minimum qualifications:

• minimum eight years of professional experience
• completion of a professional degree in architecture or a related field
• demonstrates proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software
• LEED accreditation preferred
• ability to read, write and speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and English
• previous experience working for an international firm doing business with companies in the People’s
• Republic of China strongly preferred

To apply

Thank you for your interest in SOM, please click here to apply directly on our career site.

SOM offers opportunities to work on transformational projects, competitive salaries, health insurance, wellness, retirement and financial and other work/life plans.

At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Visit this page to learn more about SOM’s employment policy and how to apply offline

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (architecture, interiors, planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.

www.som.com

• Applications have closed.