Project Manager, Architecture

Carnegie | A Career That Helps Higher Education Thrive

We partner with colleges and universities to create lasting impact—for institutions, students, and the world they’ll shape. At Carnegie, your work contributes to something bigger: advancing opportunity through higher education. We invest in people, not just positions, and build careers that grow with you.

Carnegie Life | Our People & Culture | Benefits

About the Work

Higher education campuses are more than buildings—they are places where learning, connection, and transformation happen. Carnegie's Campus Planning & Architecture team partners with colleges and universities to align mission, strategy, and space, creating environments that support student success and strengthen institutional impact.

Job Purpose:

The Project Manager leads architectural projects for higher education clients (colleges and universities) across the country, from campus and facility planning to conceptual design through construction. This role serves as the primary client liaison, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality delivery of projects while coordinating internal teams and external consultants. This position will also balance project architect roles and provide technical solutions for other project architects. The position provides the opportunity to shape the student experience through design and grow professionally within a collaborative, small-firm environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Client Management

• Maintains a project load of 3–4 clients, including leading at least one major project
• Serves as the primary liaison with clients to ensure satisfaction, timely delivery, and budget alignment
• Prepares and manages project proposals and AIA contracts
• Develop preliminary construction and project budgets
• Assist campus planning team in project management, budget and order-of-magnitude costs
• Provide your expertise in planning initiatives, assessments, scheduling, and guidance on project alignment and creative problem solving solutions
• Leads a client/campus/boards through the project at various phases of design
• Communicates project scope, goals, and deliverables to internal team and external partners

Project Execution and Technical Oversight

• Manages and monitors project schedules, budgets, and staffing needs across phases
• Ability to write and coordinate specifications via Masterspec
• Leads the coordination of consultants and internal team members throughout design and construction
• Oversees construction administration tasks, ensuring timely resolution of open items
• Applies knowledge of codes and construction processes to ensure design intent and technical accuracy
• Develops technical details, and support and assist in leading documentation in alignment with design intent
• QA/QC projects, ensuring BIM standards are applied
• Produce and review high level planning budgets, review cost estimates for design alignment and desired clients student experience
• Work with contractors during design and construction phases to ensure project delivery methods

Internal Collaboration and Process Improvement

• Attends internal and external meetings to ensure alignment and progress
• Contributes to internal firm projects and initiatives that support team efficiency and development
• Supports and mentors other staff members as appropriate, fostering a collaborative studio culture in a virtual or in-person environment
• Provide expertise in program and product development

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong understanding of building systems, codes, and construction documentation
• Ability to independently produce, review, and modify architectural and technical documents
• Thorough understanding of architectural standards and processes from planning, conceptual, schematic design through construction documents
• Proficiency in REVIT for architectural drawing production and experience with AutoCAD required; familiarity with SketchUp, Bluebeam and Adobe Creative Suite preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google based programs
• Excellent communication, graphic presentation, and public speaking skills
• Ability to make strategic decisions that enhance client service and design outcomes
• Higher Education Market sector experience is mandatory
• Experience in development real estate is a plus
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills to balance multiple active projects
• Due to the various work environments (on-site/hybrid/remote), and travel-based nature of the work, effective communication and time management skills are required, as well as the ability to use/learn multiple technology platforms and switch between them on a regular basis
• Physical requirement: Prolonged periods of being in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer; ability to travel (air/vehicle) and navigate active construction sites

Credentials and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program
• 10 or more years of experience working on commercial projects in the United States; higher education experience required.
• Registered U.S. Architect required; NCARB certification required and LEED® AP desired
• Valid U.S. driver’s license required for travel
• Travel within the United States required approximately 30–50% of the time