Project Manager

FORGE is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead complex design projects from concept through construction. This role is responsible for keeping projects, teams, consultants, clients, schedules, and budgets aligned while maintaining the high level of design and technical quality expected at FORGE.

The Project Manager serves as a key point of contact for clients and provides steady leadership to the internal project team. The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing design, technical execution, client relationships, team development, and the financial performance of a project.

Responsibilities:

• Lead projects from concept through construction, establishing clear scope, schedules, deliverables, milestones, and priorities.
• Manage day-to-day project workflows, anticipate challenges, identify risks early, and adjust plans as needed to keep projects moving forward.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, owners, brokers, consultants, and contractors, maintaining clear and consistent communication throughout the project.
• Lead client presentations, coordinate approvals, manage expectations, and help guide clients through project decisions.
• Coordinate project teams and consultants to ensure responsibilities, priorities, milestones, and deliverables are clearly understood.
• Delegate work based on team members' skills and experience, monitor progress, and provide ongoing coaching and mentorship.
• Review project work for quality, constructability, coordination, and alignment with the design intent.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, site observations, coordination issues, and other activities associated with project delivery and construction administration.
• Monitor project schedules, staffing, fees, and financial performance to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manage changes in scope, document additional services, and support accurate and timely billing.
• Attend, lead, and document meetings throughout all phases of the project as appropriate.
• Participate in interviews and proposals and help strengthen client relationships that can lead to repeat work and new opportunities.
• Depending on experience and firm needs, the Project Manager may also serve as a Pillar Lead, helping guide firmwide initiatives related to project performance, operations, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture.
• Minimum of 7 years of related architectural experience.
• Registered Architect is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of the full design and construction process.
• Experience managing projects, work plans, schedules, deliverables, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Familiarity with building systems, materials, permitting requirements, RFIs, submittals, and site observations.
• Ability to review architectural drawings for quality, constructability, coordination, and design alignment.
• Strong client relationship, communication, presentation, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and mentor project teams.
• Ability to navigate challenging conversations with confidence and diplomacy.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at different stages.
• Experience managing project fees, scope changes, additional services, and financial performance.
• Experience with project management software; Deltek Vantagepoint experience is preferred.

Team & Reporting Structure:

The Project Manager reports to a Senior Project Manager or Practice Director and works closely with Senior Designers, the Resource Manager, firm leadership, Staff Designers, Job Captains, clients, and outside consultants.

Project Managers lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams while working collaboratively with FORGE leadership and other project leaders across the firm.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Project Managers at FORGE deliver well-coordinated, high-quality projects on schedule and within established financial goals. They build trusted client relationships, provide teams with clear direction, identify and resolve issues before they become larger problems, and help emerging staff grow through strong mentorship and leadership.