Project Manager

JLA Architects; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

JLA Architects in Milwaukee seeks a Project Manager to oversee architectural projects from design through occupancy. You will lead the project team, coordinate with clients, consultants, and contractors, and ensure milestones and quality control across all phases.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of architecture project experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and proficiency in SketchUp, Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Typically, 5+ years of experience with 2 years as a Project Manager at an architectural firm.
• Demonstrated understanding of working with, or for, private developer clients.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge, soft skills, and emotional intelligence to effectively direct and mentor less experienced/skilled team members.
• Demonstrate ability to manage clients’ expectations, project schedules, scope of work, and confidence in JLA.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all project phases from design through occupancy.
• Coordinate with Clients, Consultants, Contractors, etc.; lead progress meetings.
• Produce and maintain project program and schedule.
• Mentor and manage internal and external team members and consultants.
• Participate in meetings after hours when necessary.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Mentoring

Multi-project coordination

Tools

SketchUp

Revit

AutoCAD

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

As a 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 Project Manager will take direction from an Office Director but will be expected to prioritize, coordinate, and execute their work independently. A 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. Specific functions & responsibilities of a 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;
• 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, 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;
• Perform other project-related and operational-related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications:

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

• Typically, 5+ years of experience with 2 years as a Project Manager at an architectural firm managing projects of a size and scope similar to that of JLA projects (or demonstrated equivalent)
• Demonstrated understanding of working with, or for, private developer clients
• Demonstrate technical knowledge, soft skills, and emotional intelligence to effectively direct and mentor less experienced/skilled team members.
• Demonstrate 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 project workplans, project schedules, and project scope & fee agreements with broad input/overview from the Director of Architectural Operations and/or Office Director.
• Expected to prioritize, plan, and direct the responsibilities of their internal & external team members.
• 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 preferred, but NOT required.