Sr. Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Architecture (Commercial/Retail)

This Senior Project Manager role focuses on leading commercial and retail architectural projects from concept through construction, combining hands-on AutoCAD production with project management, construction administration, and team coordination. The position requires an experienced architectural professional who can work largely remotely, perform regular site visits in the Midwest, and manage small project teams while operating within established corporate standards and templates.

• Lead and manage commercial and retail architectural projects from start to finish, ensuring quality, accuracy, and adherence to established standards and corporate templates.
• Coordinate and perform a mix of field work and site visits in the Midwest market, including local day trips by car and periodic air travel, with travel expenses reimbursed.
• Allocate approximately 20–25% of weekly hours to AutoCAD production work, including creating and updating construction documents and drawings.
• Spend roughly half of each day producing CAD construction documents (CDs) and the other half processing shop drawings, submittals, and RFIs for active projects.
• Manage small project teams of 1–2 people on a project-by-project basis, overseeing their work, providing guidance, and ensuring project milestones are met.
• Oversee current project teams and coordinate closely with contractors, maintaining clear communication and alignment on project scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Conduct construction administration activities, including site visits, observation of work in progress, and participation in OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) meetings.
• Serve as a client-facing representative when needed, professionally presenting the firm to clients and contractors and building strong working relationships.
• Work primarily on prototypical commercial projects, starting with financial retail branches and then expanding to other retail and commercial build-outs and renovations.
• Produce and coordinate detailed construction documents for interior alteration projects, office build-outs, and retail spaces, ensuring compliance with applicable codes.
• Coordinate details and finishes, including framing details, wall partitions, general materials, and specifications, to achieve cohesive and buildable design solutions.
• Apply working knowledge of detailing as it relates to interior alterations, including ADA requirements for clear floor space and accessibility building codes.
• Review drawings and specifications meticulously for accuracy, completeness, and quality, identifying and resolving discrepancies before and during construction.
• Provide hands-on detailing support and actively participate in production tasks when required to meet project deadlines and deliverables.
• Manage time and expectations for self and team members, balancing multiple projects and tasks while meeting client and internal deadlines.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication and coordination with internal and external team members, including remote colleagues and project stakeholders.
• Adapt quickly to changing project needs, wearing multiple hats and jumping onto different projects and tasks as priorities shift.
• Participate in quarterly in-person meetings in the Chicago area and attend local meetings and site visits as required.
• Contribute positively to a small, people-focused office culture that emphasizes mentoring, development, and long-term relationships.

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience at an architecture firm working on commercial projects.
• Strong project management experience, including managing projects independently and conducting regular job site visits.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, with the ability to…