Senior Architectural Project Manager

Position Summary:

As a Senior Project Manager, your responsibilities will be to oversee all aspects of your Project(s) through all phases of the architectural process – from building design through building occupancy. A Senior Project Manager will take direction from an Office Director but will be expected to prioritize, coordinate, and execute their work independently. A Senior Project Manager will be expected to effectively direct & manage other JLA Team Members with varying experience, knowledge, and skillsets as well as well as external consultants that may be part of the development team. The expected workload would be between 40-45 hours per week. Some infrequent travel to Milwaukee/Madison may be required. Specific functions & responsibilities of a Senior Project Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:

Project-Related Responsibilities – All Project Phases:

• Provide continual proactive communication with Clients, Consultants, Contractors, etc.;
• Work collaboratively to proactively solve design challenges and resolve design issues;
• Identify key/ unique issues, considerations, and/or deficiencies to address as the project progresses;
• Produce & maintain the project program and project schedule;
• Participating in internal & external meetings to help determine project program & schedule;
• Initiate/lead internal & external project progress meetings and follow-up with necessary documentation & action items;
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in external meetings after traditional business hours;
• Review & coordinate external consultant documents;
• Perform Quality Control Reviews on project progress documents utilizing standard JLA methods & checklists;

Project-Related Responsibilities - Schematic Design Phase:

• Oversee the Schematic Design process in terms of identifying, coordinating, & directing the necessary JLA Team Members & external consultants to ensure production of the necessary design deliverables per the project schedule;
• Perform or oversee preliminary zoning & building code reviews as necessary;
• Coordinate & submit preliminary municipal entitlement plan review packages and any necessary follow-up;

Project Related Responsibilities - Design Development Phase:

• Oversee the Design Development process in terms of identifying, coordinating, & directing the necessary JLA Team Members & external consultants to ensure production of the necessary design deliverables per the project schedule;
• Oversee and assist in the production of Design Development Documents & Specifications;
• Perform or oversee zoning & building code reviews and document as necessary;
• Research equipment, products, materials, and building assemblies;
• Oversee in the initial modeling of projects in Revit Software and the production of Design Development Documents;
• Coordinate & submit municipal entitlement plan review packages and any necessary follow-up;

Project Related Responsibilities - Construction Document Phase:

• Oversee the Construction Document process in terms of identifying, coordinating, & directing the necessary JLA Team Members & external consultants to ensure production of the necessary design deliverables per the project schedule;
• Oversee & assist with the production of Construction Documents & Specifications;
• Finalize & document the zoning and building code reviews;
• Research equipment, products, materials, and building assemblies;
• Coordinate & submit Building Plan Review packages and any necessary follow-up;

Project Related Responsibilities - Construction Administration Phase:

• Oversee the Construction Administration process in terms of identifying, coordinating, and directing the necessary JLA Team Members & external consultants to ensure the appropriate observation, Contractor assistance, & documentation during the construction of the project;
• Initiate, lead, and/or participate in Construction meetings and follow-up with necessary documentation & action items;
• Provide phone & e-mail support during construction to resolve questions, conflicts or unforeseen situations;
• Review & document shop drawings for conformance with design;
• Respond to, and document, Requests for Information (RFI’s) from the General Contractor;
• Prepare Construction Bulletins or update the Construction Documents as required;
• Review & evaluate Change Order Requests for change or substitutions;
• Perform periodic site observations & prepare associated field reports;
• Review Draw Requests as necessary;
• Produce “punch lists” for Contractor/Owner review;
• Perform final walk through, and evaluate project for substantial completion;

Additional Administration & Operation Responsibilities:

• Produce project ‘Work Plans’ to determine project schedules and anticipated staffing needs;
• Work with the Office Director and other Project Managers to strategize about, prioritize, and determine project schedules and project staffing levels;
• Mentor less experienced Team Members in the architectural profession;
• Evaluate JLA policies, procedures, & standards and suggest ideas & initiatives to help increase the firm’s efficiency;
• Support non-project Business Development and Marketing efforts.
• Perform other project-related and operational-related duties as required and assigned.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

• Be responsible, respectful, & professional. Perform with a high level of integrity;
• Critically think about everything that is done – as to why is it done and how it is best done;
• Learn from others in the office and from every task that is performed;
• Share your knowledge with others in the office – everyone has something to share;
• Take pride in every task that is done – to do it efficiently, completely, accurately, and professionally.

Qualifications :

The ideal person for this position would have the qualities, skills, and knowledge listed below.

• Typically, 10+ years of experience as a Project Manager at an architectural firm including managing projects of a size and scope similar to that of JLA projects. (or demonstrated equivalent)
• Experience with private developer clients, various project delivery methods, and diverse architectural markets;
• Demonstrated pro-active and effective leadership both internally and externally as measured by peer and client feedback;
• Willingness to practice and promote continued education of self and teammates.
• Demonstrate exemplary technical knowledge, soft skills, and emotional intelligence to effectively direct and mentor less experienced/skilled team members.
• Demonstrate exemplary technical knowledge, soft skills, and emotional intelligence to effectively manage clients in terms of their expectations, project schedules, scope of work, and their overall confidence in JLA.
• Can produce complex project workplans, project schedules, and project scope & fee agreements with very little input/overview from the Director of Architectural Operations and/or Office Director.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and/or large project teams with multiple internal and external team members.
• The understanding that our clients are our lifeblood, and that client satisfaction is our greatest priority.
• The ability & desire to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment - while maintaining a keen attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritize & execute a variety of tasks within a single project and across multiple projects.
• A great attitude, great work ethic, emotional maturity, and NO inflated ego.
• The ability to work effectively with a variety of people with different backgrounds, skillsets, and personalities;
• Familiarity with the following design and production software: SketchUp, Revit, and AutoCAD Architectural Software.
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite Software;
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite Software;
• Please note - Registration/Licensure is NOT required.