Business Operations Manager, Architecture & Interior Design

Ware Malcomb; Vaughan; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm is seeking a Business Operations Manager to partner with office leaders in team management and operational strategy. This role involves overseeing staffing, project delivery, and financial management while fostering a positive office environment. Candidates should have extensive experience in operations and project management, along with a relevant degree.

Benefits

Wellness-focused culture

Competitive salary and benefits

Supportive environment fostering professional growth

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of practice experience and 2 years leading successful project management teams.
• Relevant degree preferred, with strong operational experience.

Responsibilities

• Partners with leaders to assess operations, reviews proposals, and ensures competitive project fees.
• Manages staffing plans and conducts interviews for recruitment.
• Builds relationships to ensure high client service levels and effective QA/QC processes.

Skills

Team Management

Project Management

Financial Acumen

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior design, civil engineering, or related field

Job description

The Business Operations Manager is the business partner to the office leader in all matters that affect leadership, team management, staffing, project delivery, growth, and other decisions impacting current and future business practices of the office or studio. The Business Operations Manager partners with the office & studio leader(s) in the successful management of staff and practice of the office by exhibiting consistent expertise in three main areas of business management outlined below.

Responsibilities :

• Partners with the office and studio leader(s) to assess business operations based on a sound understanding of financials, project portfolio, and practice fundamentals.
• Collaborates with leadership to develop organizational charts, discuss future staffing needs, hiring, and staffing plans based on financials and project types.
• Participates in vetting candidates, interviewing, and hiring processes.
• Works with regional leaders to create weekly forecast updates and action plans for business management.
• Reviews proposals and pursuits, maintains opportunity forecasts, and ensures project fees are competitive and scope is achievable within work plans.
• Assists in staff reassignments and staffing adjustments across offices to maintain balanced forecasts.
• Reviews and signs construction documents as required.
• Reviews billing drafts against forecasts before submission to accounting.
• Ensures work plans are developed and monitored to maintain a minimum profit margin of 15%.
• Conducts weekly meetings with project managers to review project status, forecasts, QA/QC, invoices, and resource allocation.
• Develops and monitors strategic business plans.
• Builds strong relationships with corporate and enterprise team leaders to discuss project performance and service delivery.
• Ensures high client service levels to promote repeat business through effective QA/QC processes.
• Serves as a technical resource for staff.
• Monitors HR issues in collaboration with leadership.
• Fosters a positive team atmosphere and good morale.
• Oversees all training programs across the office, including technical, process, software, financial, and project management training.
• Attends the annual Business Management Summit and shares insights with staff.
• Discusses liability concerns on projects with leadership.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior design, civil engineering, or related field preferred.
• At least 8 years of practice experience and 2 years of project management leading successful teams, or equivalent business operations experience.

Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a full-service design firm providing architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding, and measurement services to clients worldwide. With offices across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the firm specializes in commercial, corporate, industrial, healthcare, retail, auto, and public facilities projects. Ware Malcomb offers a supportive environment with large company resources, fostering professional growth. Recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company and a top firm to work for, it promotes a wellness-focused culture, competitive salary, and benefits.