Design & General Manager

About Us

Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) is an international architecture and design studio headquartered in Turin, Italy, with an office in New York. Founded by MIT professor Carlo Ratti, CRA sits at the intersection of design, technology, and urban innovation, developing projects that range from buildings and public spaces to large-scale urban strategies. Our work is driven by a belief that design can be a tool for understanding and shaping the future of cities.

At CRA, architecture meets data, research meets construction, and curiosity is our most essential tool.

The Role

CRA is seeking a Design & General Manager to lead its New York office. This is a senior role that combines design leadership with the overall management of the office, for a professional with a solid background in architecture, a strong sense of ownership, and the entrepreneurial attitude needed to run a studio with a high degree of autonomy.

The selected candidate will be responsible for the design output, operations, and growth of the New York office. Acting as CRA's local reference point for clients, partners, and the team, they will steer projects from concept to delivery, manage people, budget, and resources, and support business development in the US/Americas market together with CRA's central Business Development team.

The role is fully backed by CRA's HQ in Turin, Italy, including design, technical, administrative, and business development support, so that New York can operate independently day to day while remaining an integrated part of the studio, with shared standards, processes, and creative vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the New York office with a high degree of autonomy, overseeing day-to-day operations, planning, and organization.
• Act as Design Manager for the office's projects, ensuring design quality and consistency with CRA's vision, while meeting budget and schedule from concept to construction.
• Manage the local team with the support of the HQ team in Turin: recruitment, resource allocation, workload planning, performance, and professional growth.
• Work closely with the partners and the HQ in Turin, Italy, making the most of the central structure and organizing shared work across teams and time zones.
• Oversee the office's financial performance together with the HQ in Turin: budgets, project profitability, fee tracking, invoicing, and reporting.
• Support the central Business Development team in identifying and pursuing new opportunities in the US/Americas market, nurturing relationships with existing and prospective clients, partners, and institutions.
• Support the central Business Development team and the partners in preparing proposals, fee negotiations, contracts, and client presentations.
• Coordinate local consultants, architects of record, and contractors, ensuring US projects are delivered in line with local codes and practice.
• Represent CRA in New York with clients, public bodies, and the wider design community, strengthening the studio's presence and visibility in the US/Americas market.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Design.
• At least 10 years of experience in international architecture or design offices, with significant time in senior or leadership roles.
• Proven track record in leading design teams and managing complex projects
• across all phases.
• Experience in running an office, studio, or business unit, including people, operations, and financial management.
• Experience in business development, including client relationships, proposals, and securing new commissions, is a plus.

Skills

• Strong conceptual, graphic, and technical skills, with a sharp eye for design quality.
• High autonomy and decision-making ability, combined with a collaborative attitude toward a distributed, international team.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Solid business sense: budgeting, fee management, and project profitability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational abilities.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; Italian or other languages are a plus.

Software

• Proficient in: AutoCAD, Rhino, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office.
• Desirable: Revit, Grasshopper, V-Ray, or coding skills.

Nice to Have

• An established network of clients and industry contacts in the New York/US/Americas market.
• Professional license (e.g., NCARB / registered architect in the US) or familiarity with US codes and project delivery.
• Previous experience in offices working between Europe and the US, or familiarity with the Italian design culture.

Why Work With Us

Joining CRA means becoming part of a studio that operates at the frontier of architecture and emerging technologies, where no two projects are alike and intellectual curiosity is as valued as technical precision.

• Impact at scale: Work on projects that shape cities, public spaces, and the future of the built environment across multiple continents.
• A culture of innovation: CRA's practice is rooted in research and experimentation. You'll be encouraged to think beyond conventional boundaries
• Autonomy with a strong backbone: Run the New York office with real independence, supported by the expertise and resources of an established international studio.
• Growth opportunities: This position offers the chance to lead CRA's presence in the US/Americas market and shape the growth of the New York office during an exciting phase of the studio's evolution.

How to Apply

Interested? Submit your CV and portfolio. We look forward to hearing from you.