Senior Project Manager-Architecture

Dewberry Engineers Incorporated; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dewberry Engineers Incorporated is seeking a Senior Project Manager in Sacramento, California. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for complex civic and public-sector projects. Responsibilities include overseeing project execution, client relations, and team mentorship. The ideal candidate is a licensed architect with 15+ years of experience, including managerial roles, and must be familiar with California Building Code. The position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000-$190,000 annually and relocation assistance for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional experience with at least 5 years in a project management leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex civic and public‑sector projects.
• Deep knowledge of California Building Code and public agency approval processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for large-scale and complex civic projects.
• Serve as primary point of contact for public-sector clients.
• Champion design quality that reflects civic identity and sustainability.

Skills

Leadership

Client Management

Communication

Team Management

Budget Management

Education

Licensed Architect in California

Job description

Dewberry is a mission-driven architecture firm committed to delivering community-centered civic environments by activating deep subject matter expertise, design excellence, and technical rigor. Our portfolio includes municipal facilities, justice and public safety centers, libraries, cultural institutions, and higher-education projects.

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to provide strategic leadership for complex civic and public-sector projects across California. This role is responsible for overseeing multiple projects and teams, guiding design and technical excellence, and serving as a trusted advisor to public agency clients. The Senior Project Manager plays a key role in shaping project outcomes, mentoring staff, and supporting the growth of the firm's civic practice.

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate!

Responsibilities

Project & Practice Leadership

• Provide overall leadership for large-scale and complex civic projects from programming through construction administration.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with firm standards for quality, schedule, and profitability.
• Establish and manage project execution plans, staffing strategies, budgets, schedules, and risk mitigation approaches.
• Lead QA/QC processes and ensure consistency across project documentation and delivery.

Client, Agency & Stakeholder Leadership

• Serve as primary point of contact for public-sector clients including cities, counties, state agencies, and institutional partners.
• Build and maintain long‑term client relationships founded on trust, transparency, and design excellence.
• Lead public meetings, agency presentations, and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Navigate entitlement, regulatory, and approval processes including DSA, OSFM, and other California authorities as applicable.

Design & Technical Excellence

• Champion design quality that reflects civic identity, functionality, sustainability, and long‑term stewardship.
• Provide high‑level oversight of technical solutions, code compliance, constructability, and systems coordination.
• Guide consultant teams and ensure integrated delivery across disciplines.
• Support innovation in delivery methods, digital tools, and sustainable design strategies.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and develop project managers and project architects.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture aligned with firm values.
• Support performance reviews, career development planning, and staffing decisions.
• Serve as a role model for professional practice, leadership, and client service.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Contribute to the strategic growth of the civic practice in California.
• Participate in pursuit strategy, proposals, interviews, and client relationship development.
• Support fee negotiations, contract development, and resource planning.
• Leverage market knowledge and client insight to identify new opportunities and partnerships.

Required Skills & Required Experience

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Architect in California (required)
• 15+ years of professional experience with at least 5 years in a project management leadership role
• Demonstrated experience leading complex civic and public‑sector projects
• Deep knowledge of California Building Code, ADA, and public agency approval processes (DSA experience strongly preferred)
• Proven ability to manage teams, budgets, schedules, and consultant coordination at a senior level
• Excellent leadership, communication, and client‑management skills

The projected range for this position is $120,000-$190,000 annually. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.

Must have a valid driver's license, good driving record and ability to pass a driving record background check.

Don't meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees. So if you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters

Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.