Are you an experienced architect or urban designer with leadership qualities and an entrepreneurial spirit? We are looking for someone who can help build a strong team in New York to represent MVRDV in North America and Canada. In close collaboration with MVRDV in Rotterdam, the New York office will support and develop American projects.

As the Director of MVRDV New York, you are responsible for the North American portfolio and will collaborate on a day-to-day basis with the Director Strategy and Business Development, the Partner in charge of the American projects, the Managing Director and the Finance Director.

This is us

MVRDV is a globally leading architecture and urbanism practice based in Rotterdam with offices in Shanghai, Paris, Berlin and New York. Founded by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, and Nathalie de Vries in 1993, we create social, innovative, realistic, green, and remarkable architecture for a changing world. We believe that our work makes the world a better place by realizing dreams that actively contribute to global urgencies. We are a dynamic, ambitious, and growing organization with more than 300 people.

Job description

As Director of MVRDV New York, you will have a crucial responsibility for propelling MVRDV’s North American presence towards success. Your key metrics will include:

Business Development

• Identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities, gaining a competitive edge.
• Create the business plan for New York office and revising it annually, including targets and strategy;
• Sales strategy: Building on the organization’s long-term strategy and in collaboration with MVRDV’s office in Rotterdam, you will develop and implement effective sales strategies based on market research and competitor analysis. Therefore, you should have experience in sales and a clear vision of setting up marketing, business development in a new market or region.
• Contracts: As a licensed architect, you will support in the negotiation process for contracts and fees.
• Relationship building: You will maintain and expand strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. You will attend presentations and workshops with clients;
• Representation of MVRDV in the US and Canada. You will represent MVRDV and ensure visibility and a strong local presence. You will be responsible for setting up and maintaining a strong network with local partners and stakeholders, clients, co-architects, engineers, advisors and municipalities.

Project Management

For our projects in North America, you will;

• Organize the projects in North America with a local viewpoint;
• Act as a stakeholder in existing projects, making sure that there is local presence, managing contact with clients;
• Responsible for the coordination between the Rotterdam teams and the local stakeholders/advisors;
• As a licensed architect, you check the compliance of our designs with local regulation, completeness and presentation quality;
• Organize and perform building site supervision.

Operations

• You will build, expand and manage the New York team of design- and support staff including but not limited to Finance, Human Resources and Administration;
• You are responsible for the finances of the New York office in close collaboration with a local accountant and the Rotterdam based Finance Department;
• You are responsible for recruitment and human resource management in close collaboration with the Rotterdam office.

• Your profile

The right candidate for the position meets the following requirements:

• Eligibility to work in the United States;
• Licensed architect in the US and/or Canada;
• Master's degree in architecture / urbanism;
• Entrepreneurial spirit: supported by the MVRDV office in Rotterdam you organize the local business and office, you need to have a self-starter personality, having the ability to identify and capitalize on business opportunities by combining commercial awareness with a strategic mindset;
• A proven minimum 10-year track record in Business Development, architectural design, project organization and project management skills;
• Ability to develop and execute business strategies in line with the business strategy and goals, in collaboration with the MVRDV office in Rotterdam;
• You have a clear vision on setting / scaling up and leading a branch office and collaborating in an international environment;
• Fluency in English; both written and oral;
• You have knowledge and understanding of the MVRDV body of work, philosophy and approach to Architecture and Urbanism;
• Ability to travel frequently (International).

What we offer

Beyond the opportunity to work within a global and award-winning company, here are a few benefits that we offer:

• An exciting, inspiring and international working environment.
• Competitive salary, considering your skills and personal value for the organization, via our externalized payroll specialist.
• Possibilities for personal development.
• 20 paid holiday days based on full-time employment of 40 working hours per week.
• You'll have unlimited access to Open Up – an online mental well-being platform.
• A great office location in Brooklyn.

We’d love for you to join us!

Studies show that women and members of underrepresented communities apply for jobs only if they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you recognize yourself in this statement? MVRDV encourages you to reconsider and apply. You do not need to tick all the boxes to join our team. We care more about your motivation and potential! We look forward to your application.