August 14, 2002

Design Detailings: Top A/E posts still hard to fill

There may be a recession on, but hiring good people in top jobs in design firms is still difficult.

"Three years ago, firms were hiring just about anybody who was warm and breathing to keep up with demand," said John Kreiss, principal and manager of the Executive Search Group, part of Massachusetts-based ZweigWhite, a construction industry management consulting firm.

"Today, companies are much more selective with their hiring," he said. "While entry-level positions may seem easier to fill, firms are still having trouble filling their top-level positions with the right people. Senior level people who specialize in a particular market niche or market sector -- the leaders in those areas -- are still very difficult to find," Kreiss says.

He added that specialty areas where there's a dearth of qualified candidates include laboratory/life sciences, health care, education, and residential design and construction services.

UW to train firm leaders

The University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning will offer a certificate program in design firm leadership and management, as part of fall term. Topics covered in the course include: practice management, leadership, financial management, technology management, business strategy and risk management.

The program consists of three courses. The first, "Design Firm Management," focuses on balancing three critical aspects of firm management: planning, managing and producing. It runs Sept. 30 through Dec. 9. In the second, "Leadership," participants will explore the concept of leadership through extensive discussion and analysis of case studies with active practitioners. It runs Jan. 6 through March 17. The third, "Strategy and Marketing," will involve directing the vision of an organization, developing a strategy for the future and skills for aligning the strategy with the marketplace. It runs March 31 to June 9. All sessions meet 6 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Instructors for the course include Hugh Hochberg, a partner with the Coxe Group, Richard Hobbs, president of Strategy Design; and Ann Hearle, principal of DesignMatters. In addition to consulting in management and marketing, Hochberg has lectured at Harvard and the universities of Pennsylvania, Cal Poly/Pomona; Wisconsin, Kansas and Rensselaer. Hobbs, an advisor to the professional design community, has served for 10 years as vice president for professional practice with the American Institute of Architects. He is marketplace research advisor for the AIA and an advisor for the Tom Peters Co.: Research on Innovation in the Professional Service Firm. Hearle is the former director of new business development for Girvin Strategic Branding and Design, now principal of DesignMatters, a strategic consulting firm that advises creative groups on business issues.

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 9 and afterward on a space-available basis. Each term is $1,500. For more information, call (206) 543-2320.

Pacific Land becomes PacLand

Pacific Land Design has changed its name to PacLand. PacLand does land design and provides comprehensive development services which include planning, land-use approval processing, design and project management. PacLand is at 9709 Third Ave. N.E., Suite 203, Seattle 98115. The phone is (206) 522-9510.

Rice Fergus wins two contracts

Rice Fergus Miller has recently signed two contracts to provide architectural services. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, in Tacoma, has hired Rice Fergus to design and construct two new fire stations; and Rice Fergus has teamed with lead firm MacLeod Reckord to provide architectural services for the Kitsap County Special Events Center at the Fairgrounds. Rice Fergus Miller Architecture & Planning is located in downtown Bremerton.