Project Manager

KZF Design; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent design firm in Ohio is seeking an experienced Project Manager for their Civic & Public Safety Group. This role involves managing project teams, client relationships, and overseeing the development of project budgets and schedules. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of project management experience and a degree in Architecture or Engineering. Join a collaborative team committed to high-quality designs and successful project delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the building design industry.
• Professional registration as an Architect or Engineer is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage internal and external project teams.
• Develop budgets, proposals, schedules, project plans and staffing plans.
• Provide leadership in defining the project scope, schedule, and goals.

Skills

Project management

Strong communication

Negotiation

Technical writing

Client management

Education

Accredited degree in Architecture or Engineering

Tools

MS Office suite

Revit

Job description

Founded in 1956, KZF Design is a multidisciplinary firm that specializes in thoughtful and award‑winning designs. Our team includes architects, engineers, interior designers, and urban planners proficient in both public and private sectors. We have specific expertise in commercial, workplace, education, health and wellness, industrial, government, and justice projects. Based in downtown Cincinnati, KZF Design has a staff of over 75 professionals.

We’ve built our reputation on thoughtful, award‑winning designs and unparalleled technical proficiency in both the public and private sectors. Our expertise spans commercial, workplace, education, community infrastructure, healthcare, industrial, government, and public safety projects.

As one of the Midwest’s premier design firms, we foster a culture of continuous improvement and reinvention. This translates to our clients through strong relationships, creativity, and independent thinking – values that have made us a leader in value‑based design for 65 years. For more information, visit www.kzf.com.

A Project Manager for KZF’s Civic & Public Safety Group is an experienced, creative, confident leader who is able to inspire and coordinate a team of professionals, their work and project deadlines. He or she must be a skilled listener and communicator both internally as well as externally. Ideally a life‑long learner, this person can also act as an inspiring mentor to those in their charge.

We are looking for an ambitious person who is a strong negotiator, financially literate, and professionally seasoned, as well as approachable. The Project Manager is organized, efficient, and focused on executing their day‑to‑day responsibilities, and is accountable for their performance as well as that of their team. It is important they can evaluate and prioritize tasks of greatest importance – at times in a non‑linear fashion – using sound, decisive judgement while balancing the measured risks on each project.

The responsibilities of the Civic & Public Safety Group Project Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Manage internal and external project teams
2. Manage clients through all phases of a relationship
3. Responsibly make and keep promises to our clients
4. Develop budgets, proposals, schedules, project plans and staffing plans
5. Review project design, documentation, cost estimates and other materials to ensure compliance with the project scope
6. Manage and coordinate consultants providing services for assigned projects
7. Provide leadership in clearly defining the project scope, schedule and goals for all assigned staff
8. Be familiar with and contribute technically to the core project types in the group in support of work prepared by the respective disciplines
9. Coordinate and facilitate quality control/coordination reviews for all assigned projects
10. Provide proactive leadership in identifying and solving project and client issues
11. Identify, qualify and pursue potential clients and project opportunities
12. Increase sales, market share, network and client base

SPECIFICATIONS

Required

• Professionally accredited degree in Architecture or Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5‑years demonstrated project management experience
• Minimum 10‑years of experience in the building design industry
• Professional registration as an Architect or Engineer
• Demonstrated management of direct reports and internal/external consultants
• Demonstrated ability to monitor key metrics, milestones and proactively make adjustments as necessary
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and prepare project proposals including defining scope, budget and schedule with a strong technical writing background
• Support of client and networking efforts through out of office/afterhours event attendance, leading to demonstrated new client acquisition / project opportunities
• Evidence of career progression and professional growth
• Proficient with MS Office suite

Preferred

• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation by Project Management Institute, or willingness for PMP track acceptable
• Demonstrated experience successfully executing business development strategies and securing new clients/projects
• Experience working on and managing State and Local Government projects
• Experience editing and negotiating standard A/E contracts
• Comfortable leveraging technology in all aspects of business

Desired

• Demonstrated leadership in professional and/or civic organizations
• NCARB / NCEES
• Experience utilizing client relationship management (CRM) software
• Experience with Revit software suite