Question
10+

Architectural Project Manager

2/20/2026

The Project Manager organizes and leads complex or multiple projects, directing employees and consultants to ensure work aligns with plans, budget, schedule, and design intent. Key duties include supervising project teams, defining project goals and success metrics, developing scope and fees, and driving project financial performance.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Portland, OR + Oakland, CA SERA is a firm of dynamic thinkers, collaborators and creators who want to shape the world through smart planning and enduring design. Our mission is sustainable placemaking. As an integrated team of architects, interior designers and urban designers and planners, we work holistically to create places that enrich lives and inspire positive change. SERA was founded in 1968, in Portland, Oregon, during the city’s inspired era of downtown renaissance. Today, we continue building upon that passion for urban revitalization and continue to take a progressive approach in our practice. Our exciting work now extends to active clients in Silicon Valley, where we are growing our presence with a new San Mateo office. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we know our employees move our company forward. We offer staff a full suite of benefits, from multiple retirement plans and continuing education opportunities to flexible work schedules and free monthly transit passes. Learn more at seradesign.com/careers
About the Role

Description

Summary

At this level, the project manager will organize and lead projects which are larger in terms of complexity and scope, or manage multiple projects which are smaller in terms of complexity and scope (with oversight from PIC). The project manager works with owners and directs employees and consultants at all levels to ensure that proper steps and procedures are taken and that work is completed as planned, budgeted, scheduled and in conformance with the design intent and contract deliverables. The project manager will participate in office-wide initiatives aimed at improving or impacting practice, business operations or business development. The project manager’s skills and expertise will provide a resource for guidance for other projects and managers in the office. 


Duties and Responsibilities

Primary

  1. Supervise, coordinate, plan, and review the work of entire project teams. This includes the mentoring of staff on project teams.
  2. Build internal and external project team with skills/interests suited to the needs of the project.
  3. Define the unique goals and objectives required by the client and project team and the decision-making strategies and success metrics used to validate them.
  4. Prepare contracts and negotiations with oversight on unique issues.
  5. Prioritize goals, scope, and tasks to meet client needs and use teams effectively.
  6. Develop, articulate, define and execute the project scope, fees, and proposals for a wide variety of projects.
  7. Negotiate consultant’s scope, schedule and fees.
  8. Proactively communicate staffing needs and changes with staffing director/studio leaders.
  9. Foster team morale, both internal and external while creating a collaborative team environment.
  10. Identify and leverage core skills and areas of interest for staff, providing opportunities for growth and development.
  11. Confirm that project goals are carried out and reinforced through design, technical, and cost decisions, both internally and externally.
  12. Provide support to ensure project meets office standards for design, documentation, technical performance, Revit, and graphics.
  13. Own the delivery of critical feedback and messaging. 
  14. Understand firm key performance indicators (KPIs), including but not limited to: utilization, budget to actuals, and profitability. 
  15. Project staffing at this level is self-directed. You are the primary party responsible for ensuring your utilization target(s) are met.
  16. Participate in market sector(s) business development opportunities and efforts.
  17. Contribute to firm-wide financial goals, including revenue growth, profitability, and efficiency improvements.
  18. Drive project financial performance, including scope, schedule and fee benchmarking and budget vs actuals.
  19. Understand, monitor, improve project performance such as utilization, direct labor, technical standards adherence, efficiency improvement efforts, and project profitability.

Additional

  1. Participate in the interview process for hiring new staff.
  2. Participate in employee review process for all team members.
  3. Participate in updates to standards, processes, and project delivery at SERA.
  4. Participation in industry groups to develop specialized knowledge.
  5. Monitor construction administration during construction phase.
  6. Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and jurisdictional/approval agencies.
  7. Model the firm’s values and core      commitments, ensuring alignment with internal expectations for      professionalism, collaboration, and ethical behavior. 
  8. Respect and      reinforce established firm policies and processes. 
  9. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

  • Requires a Bachelor or Master’s degree from an accredited program.
  • Architectural License is preferred.
  • Generally have 12+ years of experience.
  • LEED AP Preferred.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Established knowledge of accounting and project management software.
  • Possesses knowledge of the OSSC/ ADAAG and possesses the ability to achieve the intent of the code through variances and appeals. 
  • Possesses knowledge of drawing and production software (understanding of capabilities, requirements, and impact on project documentation strategy).
  • Advanced ability to communicate through verbal, written and graphic communication formats.
  • Established knowledge of available tools. 
  • Advanced ability to prioritize and evaluate multiple important tasks.
  • Advanced critical thinking to identify strengths, weaknesses or alternate solutions to a problem independently.
  • Advanced professional judgment and decision making processes to determine the most appropriate course of action.
  • Advanced leadership skills that motivate and guide teams and projects to desired outcomes.
  • Advanced skills necessary to resolve conflicts within project teams.
  • Advanced ability to negotiate with and/ or advocate for team members, consultants, clients, jurisdictions for the benefit of SERA and the project.
  • Strong knowledge of design, construction systems, sustainability, project delivery methodologies (IPD), material application, and manufacturer-supplier appropriateness.


SERA Architects Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Key Skills
Project ManagementTeam LeadershipContract NegotiationScope DefinitionFee NegotiationStaffing ManagementTeam MoraleDesign ReviewDocumentation StandardsFinancial PerformanceUtilization TrackingBusiness DevelopmentConflict ResolutionConstruction AdministrationClient Relationship ManagementCode Compliance
Categories
Management & LeadershipConstructionArt & DesignEngineering
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