Chief Architect - City of Birmingham

Target close date: 09/04/2026

About the Role

The City of Birmingham is seeking an experienced Chief Architect to perform advanced professional and administrative architectural work within the Architecture Division of the Planning, Engineering and Permitting Department. The Chief Architect is responsible for overseeing the design, construction, and remodeling of various City building projects, many of which are designed by consulting architects. This position resolves complex professional and technical issues and provides oversight of construction and construction administration contracts. The Chief Architect also supervises Architects, Senior Plans Examiners, Plans Examiners, and other staff responsible for the review and processing of architectural plans and related project activities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates advanced/complex projects by planning, designing and scheduling activities within the Architecture Division using the principles, practices and regulations of architecture to ensure compliance with stated goals and objectives of the City’s departments.
• Oversees and manages the contract administration function of the Architecture Division to include administering the public bidding process, reviewing work products submitted by consultants, and analyzing project documentation to ensure compliance with laws, codes, regulations and contract agreements.
• Performs administrative duties including writing various reports, maintaining records, and responding to concerns from the public, local government and any City department.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.
• Conducts periodic field reviews and site inspections to verify performance of project managers.
• Analyzes legal property documentation such as surveying, utilities and topography for use in site development.
• Makes presentations to the Mayor, elected officials, agencies and the general public for Public Works projects.

Requirements

• Driver’s license.
• Licensed as an Architect in the state of Alabama OR Certified through the National Council for Architecture Registration Boards (i.e., NCARB) that would lead to licensure in Alabama within six weeks.
• Experience managing a multiple project portfolio through all phases of project administration, ranging in scope from renovation to new construction.
• Experience in procurement of design and construction services including the bid and award process.
• Experience in compliance with federal, state, and local statutory requirements for construction (e.g., ADA, EPA, IBC).
• Experience in developing contract documents (e.g., owner-architect, owner-contractor agreements, owner-special service).
• Experience coordinating activities and managing schedules of clients (e.g., end users, consultants) and professional staff and/or administrative staff (e.g., architects, project managers) throughout the entire course of construction projects.
• Experience utilizing drawing software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).

Benefits

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension)
• Generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave

Pay

$85,092 - $132,017

Physical Demands

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time. At times, job may require light to moderate physical exertion, including climbing, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or twisting.

Work Environment

Work is conducted mostly indoors in an office setting, with periodic field visits to outdoor worksites. Incumbents may be required to enter properties, construction sites, residences, and buildings under various stages of construction and repair.