Architecture Discipline Lead

AECO; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Architecture Team Lead in Chicago, IL. This hybrid role combines design leadership with project management to deliver high-quality architectural solutions across multiple markets.

You will mentor teams, manage staffing and budgets, and coordinate with clients and stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in architecture, 8+ years of experience, and professional licensure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture and eight+ years of relevant experience.
• Professional licensure required.
• Driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and engineering projects from proposal award through completion.
• Develop and manage project execution plans, schedules, staffing plans, and budgets.
• Ensure contract compliance, scope, and fee structure; monitor performance and risks.
• Oversee quality management and technical excellence; mentor team members.
• Lead client meetings, design reviews, and progress updates; support business development.

Skills

Architecture leadership

Project management

Team mentoring

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture

Professional licensure

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Primary Location: US - Chicago, IL - 130 East Randolph
• Compensation: USD 150,000 - USD 175,000 - yearly

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM's Great Lakes Buildings + Places team is seeking an experienced and visionaryArchitecture Team Lead to oversee and guide the Great Lakes architectural team in delivering innovative, high-quality, client-focused design solutions. This role requires a dynamic leader who combines design excellence, technical expertise, and strong project management skills to ensure the successful execution of architectural projects across a variety of market sectors. The Architecture Team Lead will play a critical role in managing multidisciplinary projects, providing technical leadership, mentoring team members, and fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to achieve project excellence. This role is a hybrid position located inChicago, IL.

AECOM is a globally recognized architecture and engineering design firm whose diverse, creative teams deliver positive impact to millions of people worldwide. We operate collaboratively across business lines and regions, trusted to deliver some of the most complex projects on the planet. Our Client Promise - excellence, innovation, measurable value - reflects our dedication to understanding needs, exceeding expectations, and achieving shared goals, grounded in integrity, collaboration and innovation.

About the Great Lakes Buildings + Places Team

With offices in Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Minneapolis, the Great Lakes practice is one of the fastest growing and highest-performing B+P practices inAECOM's West Region. We offer a full suite of services: architecture, interiors, building systems and structural engineering, urbanism and planning (including landscape), workplace transformation, advisory services, technology solutions, and digital delivery - and serve as a Center of Excellence for many of these disciplines.

We work in a collaborative model across the West Region with other B+P practices, as well as with AECOM's Transportation, Water, Environment and Advisory business lines to support vertical infrastructure and comprehensive solutions. Our practice supports a diverse portfolio of local, national, and global clients across the private, public, and federal sectors, delivering impactful projects in the Public (Non-Federal), Cultural and Civic, Commercial, Healthcare, Science and Technology, Transit, Aviation, and Federal markets. Most clients are repeat partners, recognizing our service model and outcomes as excellent. Recognized by over 45 design awards in the past five years, we aim to be the design firm of choice for clients and the employer of choice for diverse, best-in-class talent - doing the work that matters.

Recent/ongoing projects include: Corporate Headquarters Interior Fit-Out, Milwaukee County Courthouse; Interior Fit-Outs for National Financial Client; City of Chicago Joint Police and Training Center Emergency Medical Services Addition; Lake County Convention Center.

What You’ll Do

The Architecture Team Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for delivering design excellence, driving project performance, and developing high-performing teams. This role balances hands-on design leadership with people management, client engagement, and business outcomes - supporting practice growth, profitability, and long-term client relationships in alignment with regional and national objectives.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of architects, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and professional growth.
• Manage staffing, workloads, and resource allocation to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching and feedback, and support career development.
• Contribute to practice growth through team development, client engagement, and market presence.

Client & Business Engagement

• Serve as the primary client contact and trusted advisor.
• Facilitate effective communication with owners, consultants, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Lead client meetings, design reviews, and progress updates.
• Participate in business development, proposal preparation, and client engagement activities to support practice growth.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships that drive repeat work and referrals.
• Strengthen AECOM’s presence in the design community through relationships with clients, consultants, and industry partners.

Project Delivery

• Lead architecture and engineering projects from proposal award through completion
• Develop and manage project execution plans, schedules, staffing plans, and budgets
• Ensure adherence to contract requirements, scope, and fee structure
• Monitor project performance, proactively addressing risks and challenges to maintain efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Oversee quality management processes and ensure technical excellence
• Budget tracking and forecasting
• Change management and amendments
• Monthly invoicing and revenue recognition
• Review and negotiate contracts, scopes of services, and project deliverables
• Ensure compliance with company financial and risk management policies

Industry Engagement

• Represent AECOM at industry events, conferences, and exhibitions.
• Stay current on design trends, innovations, and best practices, sharing insights with teams and clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or related field + 8 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of education/experience.
• Professional licensure in field of study.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience at a large architectural firm, including 5+ years in project management and leadership.
• Master’s degree in Architecture or Business.
• Core & Shell Project management experience.
• Experience in one or more specialized markets (workplace, justice, federal, transit, aviation, healthcare).
• Experience with multiple delivery methods: CM/GC, DB, DBROM, PPP, EPC/EPCM
• Familiarity with risk management, contract negotiations, and dispute resolution.
• Detail-oriented, thorough, well-organized; excellent time management.
• Experience supporting proposals, pursuits, and client interviews
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong client management skills with a demonstrated ability to grow existing and new client relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience contributing to thought leadership through panels, presentations, or publications.

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.