Department Leader - Restoration Engineering & Architecture

LVI Associates; Illinois; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking an experienced Restoration Architect or Engineer to establish and lead its Building Restoration & Rehabilitation practice in the Midwest. The role offers autonomy to shape strategy, mentor teams, and drive business growth within a respected multidisciplinary firm.

Responsibilities include leading the department, securing clients, guiding investigations, repair design, and construction administration, while collaborating with architects and engineers on complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of restoration consulting, structural engineering, architecture, building envelope consulting, or rehabilitation work.
• Proven leadership of technical teams and project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Restoration Engineering & Architecture Department.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, staffing plans, and business development efforts.
• Provide technical leadership for restoration, rehabilitation, structural assessment, and building envelope consulting projects.
• Oversee investigations, assessments, repair design, and construction administration services.
• Review and approve reports, specifications, drawings, cost estimates, and technical recommendations.
• Serve as Principal-in-Charge or Project Executive on major projects.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineers, architects, and project managers.
• Manage project performance, budgets, schedules, utilization, and profitability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Lead proposal development, interviews, presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Business development

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline

Job description

Our client is a well-established multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a strong presence across the Midwest. With decades of experience delivering engineering, architectural, environmental, and building sciences services, they are recognized for their collaborative culture, technical excellence, and commitment to client service.

The Opportunity

As part of continued growth, they are seeking an experienced Restoration Architect or Engineer to establish, lead, and expand their Building Restoration & Rehabilitation practice. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader to build a department, shape strategy, mentor teams, and drive business growth while being supported by an established organization with a strong reputation in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Restoration Engineering & Architecture Department.
• Drive strategic growth initiatives, staffing plans, and business development efforts.
• Provide technical leadership for restoration, rehabilitation, structural assessment, and building envelope consulting projects.
• Oversee investigations, assessments, repair design, and construction administration services.
• Review and approve reports, specifications, drawings, cost estimates, and technical recommendations.
• Serve as Principal-in-Charge or Project Executive on major projects.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineers, architects, and project managers.
• Manage project performance, budgets, schedules, utilization, and profitability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Lead proposal development, interviews, presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects.

Project Experience

Projects may include:

• Building envelope assessments
• Facade restoration
• Masonry and concrete rehabilitation
• Roofing and waterproofing systems
• Window replacement programs
• Structural deterioration investigations
• Water intrusion assessments
• Existing building rehabilitation and repair

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in restoration consulting, structural engineering, architecture, building envelope consulting, or rehabilitation work.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and managing projects.
• Strong expertise evaluating and restoring existing buildings and structures.
• Experience managing projects from investigation through construction administration.
• Proven client development and business development experience.
• Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PE, SE, or Registered Architect licensure.
• Existing client relationships within the Midwest restoration market.
• Experience growing a restoration, building envelope, or rehabilitation practice.
• Experience with commercial, healthcare, educational, public-sector, and multifamily projects.
• Knowledge of building facade inspection programs and applicable building codes.
• Experience preparing proposals, responding to RFQs/RFPs, and leading client presentations.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Build and lead a growing department with significant autonomy.
• Influence business strategy and long-term growth.
• Access to multidisciplinary resources and technical expertise.
• Strong career progression and leadership visibility.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on an established organization.