Project Manager - Architecture

This role leads the planning, management, and supervision of the architectural aspects of reports, designs, and construction projects from concept through completion. You will manage multiple projects simultaneously, develop and implement improved techniques and procedures, and ensure that all plans, specifications, and construction documents meet quality, budget, and schedule expectations. The position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, high-energy studio that emphasizes professional growth, client satisfaction, and innovative design solutions across a variety of sectors, including education, commercial, mixed use, historic preservation, and multifamily residential projects., * Plan, manage, direct, and supervise the architectural components of reports, design efforts, and construction projects from early planning through construction closeout.

• Execute complex and novel assignments that require the development and implementation of new and improved techniques, procedures, and workflows.
• Consult with senior leadership or supervisors on unusual complexities, project challenges, and significant design or technical developments.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of finished plans, specifications, construction documents, and approvals for materials and construction.
• Attend Owner-Architect-Contractor meetings throughout the life of each project, including during construction, and represent the firm professionally.
• Manage multiple small to large projects simultaneously, typically overseeing 3-4 projects at a time, maintaining clear priorities and proactive communication.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, and programs, ensuring that work progresses according to agreed milestones and financial parameters.
• Lead project communications and documentation, including meeting minutes, design narratives, coordination logs, and formal correspondence.
• Handle office administrative tasks related to project delivery, such as tracking deliverables, coordinating internal reviews, and organizing project records.
• Assign and coordinate tasks for project team members, ensuring that responsibilities are clearly defined and deadlines are met, even without direct-report authority.
• Estimate professional fees, determine scopes of work, and prepare detailed proposals and contracts in alignment with client expectations and firm standards.
• Execute projects within client budgets, firm fee structures, and project schedules, actively monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed.
• Foster strong, long-term client relationships by providing responsive service, clear communication, and high-quality design and documentation.
• Apply applicable industry codes and standards to all architectural work, ensuring that designs and documents comply with relevant regulations and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal architecture and engineering teams across multiple offices to deliver coordinated, integrated project solutions.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by sharing lessons learned and refining project processes and standards., The role is based in an office environment within a collaborative, high-energy architectural and engineering studio. The standard schedule follows a hybrid model, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and in-office work on Tuesdays through Thursdays. The firm operates multiple offices in Illinois and maintains a close-knit culture within each location, with teams sized to encourage direct collaboration and mentorship. Project work primarily focuses on educational, government, and community-based projects, and you will frequently coordinate with colleagues across architecture and engineering disciplines. The environment emphasizes professional growth, knowledge sharing, and client-focused design solutions, with regular project meetings and structured communication to support high-quality project delivery.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Active architectural licensure is required.
• 10+ years of professional experience in architecture, with at least 5+ years of experience in a project management or project-running role (flexible).
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing multiple architectural projects concurrently, including responsibility for budgets, schedules, and client communications.
• Proficiency in Revit for architectural design, documentation, and coordination.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for drafting, detailing, and producing construction documents.
• Strong background in architectural design and construction documentation, including coordination with engineering disciplines.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant building codes, industry standards, and regulations to architectural work.
• Experience attending and contributing to Owner-Architect-Contractor meetings throughout design and construction.
• Proven ability to prepare and manage proposals, contracts, and scopes of work.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to build and maintain long-term professional relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines across several concurrent projects.
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills for internal coordination and external client interactions., * Experience working on projects in sectors such as education, commercial, mixed use, historic preservation, and multifamily residential is highly valued.
• background in serving public service or community-based clients is beneficial.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary architecture and engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop innovative design solutions while balancing technical, budget, and schedule constraints.
• Interest in long-term professional growth and in contributing to the development of project processes and standards.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, studio-based environment that emphasizes client satisfaction and team-based problem solving.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of CHICAGO, IL. Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $119000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.