Senior Project Manager

SGPA Architecture and Planning is a leading architectural design firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, and San Luis Obispo. For over 50 years, we’ve become specialists in diverse projects that feature or blend retail, residential, education, senior living, and wellness. Our practice is committed to enhancing the quality of people’s lives through smart design, rooted in creative approaches, effective management, and technology.

Our San Francisco office is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead projects from early concept through final closeout, ensuring design excellence, technical rigor, and seamless project delivery. This role is responsible for guiding teams, managing client relationships, and upholding SGPA’s standards for quality, communication, and professional service. This role is ideal for an experienced project leader who thrives in a collaborative studio environment and enjoys managing complex, multi‑disciplinary architectural projects.

Minimum Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in project management for Education, Senior Living, Multi‑Family Residential, Retail, or related architectural project types.
• Active California Architect license
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. SGPA is unable to provide current or future employment visa sponsorship for this position.
• Must be able to work from the San Francisco office at least three days per week.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all phases of the design process
  —from feasibility and concept development through construction documents, construction administration, and final punch list—while maintaining SGPA’s standards of design quality, execution, and client service.
• Manage all aspects of project delivery
  , prepares strategic plans, and serves as primary client liaison ensuring work is completed efficiently, within scope, on schedule, and aligned with approved budgets and contract requirements.
• Direct and mentor project teams
  , fostering collaboration, clear communication, and a positive, high‑performance environment that supports strong design solutions and successful project outcomes.
• Develop and validate project scope, fees, schedules, and services with the Project Principal during pursuit, proposal, and contract negotiations, including consultant proposal requests and coordination.
• Serve as the primary point of communication for clients, consultants, contractors, and internal team members, ensuring timely and complete exchange of project information.
• Actively manage projects using SGPA’s project management system
  , including work plans, staffing, budgets, consultant coordination, schedules, fee tracking, and project change documentation.
• Coordinate closely with Project Team to anticipate and resolve scheduling conflicts, technical issues, and design challenges across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide consistent project communication through team meetings, agendas, minutes, and written documentation that supports clarity, accountability, and alignment.
• Oversee construction administration
  , including site observations, RFIs, submittals, change orders, and coordination with contractors to maintain design intent and project quality.
• Evaluate technical implications of design decisions
  , ensuring solutions are feasible, code‑compliant, and aligned with SGPA’s project delivery standards.
• Manage project risk proactively
  , addressing client concerns, technical issues, and potential liabilities in a timely and professional manner.
• Review project documents for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and compliance with SGPA’s Project Delivery Manual and quality standards.
• Coordinate staffing needs with the Operations Director to ensure appropriate resource allocation across all phases of the project.
• Mentor and support staff development
  , providing guidance, feedback, motivation, and leadership that strengthens SGPA’s project teams and studio culture, including oversight and monitoring of work of less experienced project managers.
• Participate in marketing and client‑development activities
  , strengthening relationships…