Project Manager

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401K matching

Paid vacation

Career development reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) seeks an experienced project leader in Chicago to manage architectural projects. Candidates must possess a professional degree in Architecture and substantial project management experience, demonstrating leadership and sustainability knowledge.

This role involves collaborating with clients, managing project profitability, and leading teams towards meeting design and financial objectives. The position offers comprehensive benefits and a salary range of $78,000 to $95,000 based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget, and program.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Architectural Project Team through collaboration to achieve project success.
• Prepares and manages quality agreements with clients.
• Analyzes project reports and proactively manages project profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication

Sustainable Strategies

Technical Knowledge

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

LEED accreditation (preferred)

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Smartsheets

Adobe Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Position Responsibilities

• Leads the Architectural Project Team through close collaboration with SOM Partners project leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success.
• Prepares, with Leadership input, quality agreements with clients including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and professional service agreements.
• Executes additional service agreements and gains authorization by phase.
• Collaborates with Partners and senior team to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans that align project goals with budget, deliverables and schedule.
• Gains agreement from the senior team for labor allocation.
• Chairs weekly team meetings to address variances from the project plan.
• Administers internal control procedures with Project Accountant, including billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, and year‑end activities.
• Analyzes project reports and proactively manages project profitability.
• Participates actively in project design and technical discussions and decision making.
• Communicates through chairing meetings, issuing minutes, accurate record keeping and sharing project information and correspondence.
• Assists in managing the owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM and the team to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.
• Participates in new business and marketing efforts, including responses to marketing requests and maintenance of firm relationships.
• Initiates, monitors and maintains project schedule and work plan, including schedule of meetings and presentations.
• Schedules and leads internal team weekly project meetings, develops the meeting agenda and project status update.
• Maintains project plan and financial performance of the project.
• Initiates and maintains SOM‑Client Services Agreement, SOM Sub‑Consultant Agreements and requests for additional services.
• Monitors scope for contract compliance and potential additional services.
• Engages in project risk management through close collaboration with SOM Partners and legal group.
• Manages time and workload of own work and that of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, guiding and teaching less experienced staff as needed.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, and delegates based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.
• Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development.
• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
• Collaborates with team members to develop a clear, consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Contributes to implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and develops staff knowledge.
• Contributes to development of standards, policies, and procedures.
• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture; professional licensure process close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget, and program.
• Domestic project experience with multiple completed and constructed projects; project manager has carried projects through Design and Construction Delivery process.
• Demonstrated functional expertise in Higher‑Ed/Science, Large Scale Mixed‑Use, Aviation or Sports.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles, including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace.
• Familiarity with Deltek Vision and Salesforce.

Benefits

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance. Savings: 401K matching, pre‑tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs. Work/Life Balance: Hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program. Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees, as well as specialized in‑house career development. Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $78,000 to $95,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SOM is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.