Project Manager

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K matching

Hybrid/flexible schedule

Paid vacation

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is seeking a seasoned Architecture Project Leader in Los Angeles to guide teams through design, technical execution and financial performance. You will collaborate with partners, prepare client agreements, manage schedules, budgets, and risk, while advancing sustainable design goals across complex projects.

You will lead design discussions, mentor staff, and engage in business development activities including marketing responses.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture required.
• LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent, with project leadership experience.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication skills (verbal & written).
• Knowledge of urban planning, sustainable design, and green-building principles.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino and rendering tools.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite and Google Workspace.
• Experience with Deltek Vision and Salesforce.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Architectural Project Team through collaboration with Partners to achieve design, technical and financial success.
• Prepares quality agreements with clients including letters of intent and professional service agreements.
• Manages project budgeting, schedule, and labor allocation; tracks percent complete and billings.
• Chairs weekly team meetings; communicates project updates and documents.
• Oversees risk management and contract compliance with internal legal and client teams.
• Maintains internal control procedures with the Project Accountant (billing, collections, expenses).
• Participates in design discussions and decision making across disciplines.
• Partners with owner/client to manage expectations and relationships.
• Supports business development and marketing efforts, including responses to requests for proposals.
• develops and monitors project work plans and schedules.

Skills

Project leadership

Budget & scheduling

Client management

Verbal & written communication

Sustainable design principles

Urban planning knowledge

BIM software proficiency

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Deltek Vision / Salesforce

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Parametric/Rendering software

Microsoft Office

Smartsheets

Adobe Creative Suite

Google Workspace

Deltek Vision

Salesforce

Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things. Success at SOM Means Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge. Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work. Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm. Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential. Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

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 to align project goals including budget, deliverables and schedule.
• Gains agreement with 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 the profitability of a project.
• Participates actively in project design and technical discussions and decision making.
• Communicates actively through chairing weekly meetings, issuing meeting minutes, accurate project record keeping and sharing project information and correspondence.
• Assists in Managing the owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM and team to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.
• Participated 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.
• Initiates, monitors and maintains project plan and financial performance of 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.
• Actively engages in project risk management through close collaboration with SOM Partners and legal group.
• Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate 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.
• In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture.
• Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Spanish is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget and program.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• General understanding of both urban planning / design and sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Understands and is conversant 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, Salesforce.

Our 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 $90,000 to $120,000.

Our Culture

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world. We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, engineers, and planners renowned for designing buildings, interiors, and public spaces that push the boundaries of technical and environmental innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams collaborate across an international network of studios to deliver projects of lasting impact. Through our built work, research, and advocacy, we are advancing strategies to decarbonize the built environment. Learn more about our commitment to climate action.

Our comprehensive benefits package is built to support many facets of your well‑being—your health, your financial future, and your continued professional growth. We offer medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance. We also offer retirement support, free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members, workplace flexibility, paid holidays, family leave, and paid time off. We reimburse costs for professional licenses, certifications, and exams, and offer specialized, in-house career development and mentorship programs designed to help you advance your knowledge and expertise.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.