Project Manager (Design Manager) - Architecture

Gensler; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Wellness programs

Flex spending

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401k

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Bonuses

Job summary

Gensler is seeking an experienced Project Manager (Design Manager) in Los Angeles to lead project delivery from inception to completion. You will set the vision, monitor progress, and mentor talent while shaping high quality architecture for education institutions.

Responsibilities include managing schedules and budgets, coordinating with clients, contractors, and consultants, and guiding teams through reviews and procurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture required; licensed architect preferred or in progress.
• 8+ years of architectural experience with 2+ years in project management.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and design/repro tools; knowledge of LEED is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as Project Manager and drive project delivery through all phases.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and work plans; manage revenue plans.
• Lead and maintain the client relationship across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with contractors, agencies, and engineering consultants; review proposals and contracts.
• Mentor junior staff and foster inclusive, collaborative teams; ensure QA on project docs.

Skills

Project management

Architectural design

Client relations

Budgeting/scheduling

Leadership/mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

Indd

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Your Role

As a Project Manager (Design Manager) at Gensler, you’ll be hands-on from day one, immersed in every phase of project delivery and deeply connected to both clients and teams. You’ll help set the vision, keep the work moving, and mentor talent along the way, shaping high quality architecture for mission-driven clients at educational institutions.

What You Will Do

• Act as Project Manager and drive the project delivery during all phases of the project
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and work plans and revenue plans.
• Lead and actively maintain the relationship with the client.
• Manage the relationships with the contractor, agencies, and engineering/ specialty consultants.
• Guide teams through technical and agency review processes.
• Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements.
• Prepare and review internal project accounting documents and process project billings.
• Follow up with client on outstanding invoices (AR).
• Participate in project marketing, proposal writing, and project interviews.
• Manage multiple project teams, assign and monitor completion of tasks.
• Foster inclusive, collaborative team environments and mentor junior staff.
• Oversee the coordination and document preparation for the project and provide quality assurance via review of project documentation.
• Ability to navigate institutional stakeholder environments and build consensus among diverse user groups, campus leadership, and project partners.
• Ability to lead with empathy, clarity, accountability, and strong communication across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Your Qualifications

• 8+ years of architectural experience with preferably 2+ years of management experience on projects in an Architecture firm.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Architecture.
• Licensed architect preferred (or at least in-progress towards licensure).
• Strong organization, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Flexibility to focus on concurrent projects in various stages of development.
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary design approach in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated experience in all phases of architectural projects.
• Ability to provide excellent client service and assure project profitability.
• Programming and stakeholder engagement experience.
• High level of knowledge of state and local building codes, including accessibility.
• Knowledge of jurisdictional review requirements for education project types is a plus (including but not limited to DSA and the unique CSU/UC processes).
• Sustainable design experience with a preference for hands‑on LEED project accreditation.
• Tech savvy with moderate or better skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Bluebeam. Experience with INDD, AutoCAD and/or Revit is preferred.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions and hackathons, to "Well-being Week," our offices reflect our teams’ diverse interests.

We encourage our employees to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

• The base salary range will be estimated between $105,000 - $135,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.
• Notice: At Gensler a Project Manager will have the job title of Design Manager and operate in this capacity for alignment with internal programs, doing business with clients and compliance with industry and government regulations. If you have question regarding this notice please ask our Talent Acquisition team during the application process.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affluent Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E-verify program, as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].