Senior Design Project Manager - Chicago

Senior Design Project Manager - Landscape Architect Preferred

8 years' experience in project management required.

We’re looking for an individual with expertise in, and a love of, project management with a background/degree in either landscape architecture or architecture. This role will provide opportunities to work on amazing residential and commercial garden projects around the USA with Chicago as your home base. This position is primarily focused on residential work across the Midwest. 

As a project manager, your typical tasks will include design collaboration with internal team members, planning/oversight of project timelines and budgets, defining project scope and objectives, mentoring project designers, and interacting with clients and consultants. 

A successful candidate will be highly organized, have a passion for record-keeping and problem solving, and thrive in a team setting. Some travel is required during the weekdays only – up to 30%. 

This role reports to the Design Studio Director. This is not a remote position. 

We encourage you to e-mail your resume and portfolio (limit size to 10 MB) to mgraham@hoerrschaudt.com.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture or architecture from an accredited university 
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional project management experience 
• Critical and creative thinking when it comes to project design work 
• Excellent organizational skills and love of problem solving 
• Expert in written and verbal communication skills, particularly with internal team members and clients 
• Understanding and advocating for client goals and objectives throughout the project 
• Experience with and ability to manage, mentor and train staff 
• Creative and communicative hand and computer graphic abilities 
• Hands-on proven ability to coordinate the delivery of large-scale, high-quality projects with high profile clients who hire us for our client service coupled with our attention to detail and highest quality work. 
• Proficiency with SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Office 365 
• Excellent organizational skills and love of problem solving 
• Experience with project budgeting and billing 
• Energetic attitude and ability to work well within a team and a hands-on, strategic environment. 
• A desire to develop an environment which supports growth of both team and individuals. 
• Licensed landscape architect or architect in the state of Illinois (preferred, but not required) 

Role Responsibilities - Project Related

• Communication: practice proactive coordination to maximize design collaboration with internal team members, consultant and key project stakeholders. 
• Project Health: create and proactively manage project work plans (project schedules, fee, deliverables, etc.). 
• Anticipation: act in a proactive manner and effectively apply our processes (Hoerr Schaudt Playbooks) 
• Quality Control: Maintain overall design intent and standards throughout the process collaborating with internal project teams when needed per Hoerr Schaudt Playbooks. 
• Advancing project designs, especially during design development phases. 
• Client Service: act as the main point of contact for your projects and all clients are happy. 
• Reliability - Set expectations with client and deliver on them.
• Quick response times on communications that are to the point. 
• Looking out for clients' best interest – put yourself in their shoes. 
• Maintain Key Project Metrics: 
• Contracts within budget, up-to-date projections. 
• Hoerr Schaudt PM Tracker up to date prior to Design OPS Studio Weekly PM meetings. 
• Project health – Utilization (self, team)/Realization/Quality/Timeliness. 
• A/R and Unbilled aging (Target 0, <60 days). 
• Project bill reviews. 

Role Responsibilities - Studio Related

• Leadership and mentorship of internal teammates. 
• Ensure and model the firm's core values to all staff. 
• For all direct reports – hold individual Quarterly Conversation and meaningful performance reviews geared toward individual support and growth. 
• Participate in weekly PM Coordination Meetings to provide project and staffing updates to Studio Director. 
• Attend weekly Staffing coordination meetings to get aligned on studio schedule for the week with team. 
• Using both internal and external resources to promote individual Professional Development (personal training and growth) 
• Train staff and hold them accountable to clearly communicate individual and team goals. 
• Champion the effort to enhance and embrace technology and innovation in project delivery systems with Leadership. 
• Participate in process improvement initiatives. 
• Business Development/Networking. 
• Assistance with fee and proposal writing. 
• Guide team members toward continually improving project delivery, project quality, and overall project profitability. 
• Establish culture of collaboration; finds ways to improve collaboration across teams.