Project Architect

DesignGroup has a growing architectural practice in Columbus, OH and we’re looking for a Project Architect ready to grow into a Leadership role.

This opportunity is intentionally designed for a Project Architect aspiring to become a Project Manager .

You’ll gain:

✔️ Hands-on project leadership

✔️ Structured mentorship with a PM Champion

✔️ Exposure to schedules, budgets, consultants & clients

✔️ A clear 1–2 year path to PM readiness

All while working on impactful/complex healthcare projects within a debt-free firm that values work-life balance.

What sets us apart?

• Debt-free growth
• Hybrid schedules
• Half-day Fridays
• Company-paid healthcare
• A culture that values sustainable design and work-life balance.

The Assistant Project Manager is a development-focused role designed for a Project Architect who is aspiring to transition into full Project Manager responsibilities.

This role provides hands-on project leadership experience, structured mentorship, and progressive ownership of project management tasks within a 1–2 year development framework.

The APM supports the Project Manager in delivering projects on time, within budget, and aligned with DesignGroup’s expectations for exceptional client service and project quality. Through coordinated mentorship with an assigned Champion, the APM gains exposure to core PM competencies—schedule management, client communication, financial literacy, consultant coordination, and leadership of project workflows—with increasing independence

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Project Delivery Support

• Assist the PM with planning, developing, and maintaining project schedules.
• Support creation of agendas, meeting materials, presentations, and deliverables.
• Prepare, track, and distribute meeting minutes and follow-up action items.
• Maintain project documentation, including logs, coordination files, and task lists.
• Support quality control by reviewing documents for consistency and completeness.
• Lead defined workstreams or smaller project components with PM oversight.
• Assist with risk identification and mitigation planning.
• Support proposal development and coordination for project pursuits.

Consultant & Team Coordination

• Assist with coordination between design disciplines, engineering consultants, and internal team members.
• Track consultant deliverables, deadlines, and alignment to project scope .
• Support the PM with communication to regulatory agencies and permitting entities.

Project Financial Support

• Assist with monitoring project budgets and resource allocation.
• Support invoice preparation, AR tracking, and financial documentation.
• Review fee trends and flag issues or variances for PM attention.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare client correspondence, draft communications, and organize deliverables.
• Participate in select project meetings; occasionally stand in for PM when appropriate.
• Support client expectations through clear communication and proactive task follow-through.

Professional Development

• Participate in structured mentorship with an assigned Champion aligned to the PA → PM competency model.
• Engage in monthly check-ins and milestone reviews to track progress toward PM readiness.
• Demonstrate consistent growth in leadership, coordination, communication, and project ownership..

Qualifications

• A professional degree (Bachelor of Architecture, or a related field) from an accredited program is a minimum requirement.
• 5+years of professional experience in architecture.
• Current Architectural Registration.
• Strong understanding of design documentation, drawing sets, and project workflows.
• Experience coordinating across multiple disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Previous exposure to CA, scheduling, or budget tracking.
• Demonstrated interest in project management, team leadership, or client-facing roles.
• Experience with consultant coordination or leading smaller components of a project.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools (Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite) and Microsoft Office is a must.