Lead Specifications Writer - Architectural Expertise Preferred

Join Cuningham and elevate your career as a Lead Specifications Writer, utilizing your architectural expertise to drive design excellence. In this pivotal role, you will transform design intent into precise, coordinated, and buildable documentation for complex, high-profile projects. Your architectural background, with a license preferred, will empower you to lead the development of CSI MasterFormat specifications that seamlessly integrate with our drawings, while prioritizing quality, performance, and sustainability. As a trusted technical leader, you will collaborate across disciplines and with external consultants, guiding teams, mentoring emerging professionals, and influencing project delivery from concept through construction. While candidates located near our offices are preferred, we welcome remote work arrangements for the right candidate. Key Responsibilities: Manage and prepare project specifications in SpecLink Cloud for various project types including multifamily housing, hospitality, education, and commercial/institutional projects. Edit Divisions 00 & 01 to meet diverse owner requirements and delivery methods. Collaborate with internal teams and external consultants through meetings and design reviews to ensure alignment in specification efforts. Act as a technical resource for products, materials, building systems, and performance standards, integrating these aspects into architectural and interior specifications. Review drawings at every phase to ensure consistency between documents and specifications; prepare addenda, evaluate substitutions, and oversee outsourced specification quality. Support quality management processes to validate compliance with relevant codes, regulations, and firm standards. Stay updated on client, project, and regional requirements; engage product representatives to refine and share material selections firm-wide. Mentor and train staff in specification writing, best practices, and related software to foster a culture of technical excellence and regenerative design. Desired Qualifications: Professional degree in Architecture or Interior Design; architectural license preferred. At least 10 years of architectural experience with a minimum of 7 years focused on specification writing, clearly demonstrated on your resume. CSI CCS certification preferred. Proficiency in CSI MasterFormat and specification software, preferably SpecLink Cloud. Strong understanding of building materials, systems, codes, and industry standards. Experience with Divisions 00 & 01 across multiple project delivery methods. Ability to effectively coordinate across disciplines and collaborate with consultants to produce fully integrated construction documents. Familiarity with sustainable design frameworks such as LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, and their application in specifications. Ability to review drawings for alignment with specifications and uphold quality standards. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly conveying technical requirements. Proficiency in MS Office and Bluebeam; familiarity with Revit/BIM 360. Proven capability to mentor and train junior staff in specification writing and best practices. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously. Compensation is based on a national range, which varies by work location and may also depend on qualifications, experience, and responsibilities. Our talent management team can provide more specific salary information during the hiring process. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, employee wellness programs, life and disability insurance, a 401k retirement plan, paid holidays, and paid time off. At Cuningham, we create enduring experiences for a healthy world. We celebrate curiosity, design the future, restore the earth, take care of each other, and have fun. We're excited to see what we can create together! Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the diversity in the workplace combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status.