Senior Project Manager & Architect for Higher Ed & Civic

Carrierjohnson; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Architect in California to lead the delivery of complex higher education, civic, and public projects. The role requires guiding teams from planning through construction with a focus on quality, schedule, and budget, while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

You will coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, manage procurement processes, and ensure compliance with state codes and campus requirements.

Qualifications

• Licensed Architect with California licensure preferred
• 12+ years of professional experience in higher ed and civic projects
• Proven track record leading RFQ/RFPs and design-build submissions
• Experience managing complex procurement and multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong knowledge of California Building Code and public approvals such as DSA

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery across all project phases, managing scope, schedule, budget, and resources.
• Interface with clients, design leaders, and interdisciplinary teams to align vision and performance.
• Oversee multi-project leadership, coordinating internal teams and external consultants.
• Navigate regulatory approvals, permitting, and campus-specific processes.
• Collaborate with Design Leaders and technical staff to align design with constraints.
• Direct RFQ and RFP pursuits with a focus on higher education procurement.
• Oversee construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, and site visits.
• Plan workplans, staffing, fees, and resource alignment.
• Negotiate and manage project contracts to protect firm interests.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain performance.
• Maintain rigorous quality across deliverables and compliance with codes.
• Mentor project teams and promote knowledge-sharing within the firm.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Regulatory approvals

Building codes

Construction administration

RFQ/RFP leadership

Team mentoring

Project planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

Job description

Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) is seeking a Senior Project Manager / Architect in California to lead the delivery of complex higher education, civic, and public projects. The role requires guiding teams from planning through construction with a focus on quality, schedule, and budget, while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

You will coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, manage procurement processes, and ensure compliance with state codes and campus requirements.