Founded in 1936, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is one of the world’s leading architecture, urban design, engineering, and interior architecture firms. Work ranges from the architectural design and engineering of individual buildings to the master planning and design of entire communities. The firm has conceived, designed, and built projects that include corporate offices; banking and financial institutions; government buildings; public and private institutions; health care facilities; religious buildings; airports; recreational and sports facilities; university buildings; and residential developments.
SOM Shanghai was established as a WOFE (wholly owned foreign enterprise) in 2003 and serves as the liaison office facilitating project activities between China and the principal design offices in the United States. In 2004, this presence strengthened significantly with the opening of a SOM studio in Shanghai which handles smaller scale planning and conceptual design assignments.
SOM Shanghai is currently expanding and seeks applicants that can demonstrate creative thinking, problem solving, and team-working skills. SOM’s unique working environment seeks mature-minded applicants who are responsible, accountable, self-motivated and can work hard under pressure. English communication skills are essential. Most importantly, we seek individuals who have a passion for design.
Interested candidates are advised to email their application with salary expectation / resume / sample of works to
somshanghai@som.com
.

Mandarin Speaking Project Manger
We are currently seeking a Mandarin speaking Project Manager to join our Shanghai office. The ideal candidate will have a strong architectural background and will have proven success managing all facets of a project. Fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and English is required.

Position Summary:
• Reconciles the goals and priorities of SOM with those of our clients while fostering opportunities for design and technical excellence.
• Manages projects towards expanded long-term profitability, monitors and documents project process while protecting SOM from financial and legal risk.
• Contributes to SOM’s leadership by enabling clear communications among team leaders, consultants and clients while promoting professional relationships internally and externally.
• Promotes Project Management as a discipline within and outside of SOM.
• Develops and maintains a Project Plan for each project.
• Conduct important client communications and videoconferencing occasionally after hours to coincide with regular business hours in the US.
• Convey valuable design information from the client to the design team.
• Prepares services agreement in conjunction with Project Partner.
• Serves as primary contact with client, external consultants and vendors.
• Receives and distributes project communication regarding delivery of services to all team leaders.
• Documents all phases of service.
• Chairs weekly project coordination meetings on all active projects.
• Schedules and chairs all client meetings. Records the minutes of these meetings and documents action items.
• Monitors services vis-à-vis the contract requirements and identifies changes in project scope, schedule or service that result in supplemental or additional services and bring such changes to the immediate attention of the client and Project Partner.
• Prepares, in conjunction with Project Accountant, appropriate billings and pursues payment compliant with services agreement.
• Maintains and updates project data in a timely fashion to insure accurate reporting of earnings and accurate billings.
• Reviews timecards on a weekly basis to insure consistency with Project Plan.
Supervises one or more employees.
• Participates in marketing and business development.
• Actively pursues opportunities for professional development.

Background and Skill set:
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Ability to read, write and speak fluent Mandarin Chinese and English
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible project experience.
• Licensed Architect or Engineer or equivalent of experience in a related profession.
• Previous experience working for an American firm doing business with companies in the People's Republic of China strongly preferred
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of architectural design, drafting, detailing, building materials, building codes, construction techniques and costs.
• Proven knowledge of general architecture practice including programming, site planning, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering.
• Strong analytical, oral and written communication skills with the ability to build quick rapport with all levels of employees, clients, consultants and vendors.
• Proven ability in problem identification, problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis.
• Strong multi-tasking skills.


Senior Urban Planner
Looking for a Senior Urban Planner to lead the Urban Planning group of the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) office in Shanghai, China. The office is currently staffed with 15 technical professionals, 5 of whom are full time planners. The intent is to grow the UD/UP group commensurate with increasing future work load. With a combined shanghai office staff of approx 35 , the Senior Planner will work with the Urban Planning departments of SOM’s San Francisco, Chicago and New York offices in addition to independent SOM Shanghai office commissions.

Position Summary:
• Work within the SOM corporate/business structure and culture as a member of a project team with minimal supervision:
a. Actively work with office and project leaders on project related issues such as manpower, work load, schedule and client requests.
b. Follow direction from SOM Partnership on project status chargeability/profitability.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and multiple clients. Coordinate with consultants and city agencies.
• Ability to supervise, teach, train and mentor junior staff in a helpful positive manner.
• Contribute to the development/improvement of efficient working strategies for projects and the office.
• Ability to produce drawings, images and presentations in a professional manner suitable for publication
• Willingness to work overtime as requested or required.
• Ability to implement and foster SOM office standards, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing education.
• Stay abreast of contemporary urban design principals, concepts and theory.

Background and Skill set:
• Undergrad degree in city planning, architecture, landscape architecture or urban design. Masters or professional degree in urban planning & design.
• Licensed Architect or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or equivalent professional accreditation from home country.
• At least 7 years experience in city planning, environmental planning, urban design, urban land use, or an equivalent combination.
• Professional experience in land use planning, planning related topics and issues including environmental analysis/review, redevelopment, mixed use and public contact/public relations.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and provide solutions for urban problems and issues, and sensibility toward sustainability, open space typologies & morphologies.
• Demonstrated ability to research and write reports and recommendations in a, concise, thorough and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups using good organizational skills, tact, diplomacy and flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to understand project plans and balance manpower issues.
• Preferred computer skills:
a. Word processing, spreadsheets, database,
b. GIS, Photoshop, Google Earth
c. AutoCAD 2008, Sketchup, InDesign.