Senior Project Manager - Civic + Higher Education at Carrier Johnson + Culture in San Diego, California, United States

Job description

• About the job Senior Project Manager - Civic + Higher Education
• At Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C), we believe exceptional design is achieved through collaboration, innovation, and disciplined execution. Our interdisciplinary teams create transformative environments that strengthen communities and enrich the human experience. Our portfolio includes civic, higher education, mixed-use, multifamily residential, hospitality, workplace, and commercial projects throughout California and beyond.
• We are seeking an accomplished Senior Project Manager / Architect with deep experience in civic and higher education work to lead complex public and institutional projects from planning through construction while building trusted client relationships, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to the continued growth of our San Diego practice.
• As a Senior Project Manager / Architect at CJ+C, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex civic and higher education projects, balancing design excellence with technical rigor, project performance, and client objectives. You will often manage multiple efforts simultaneously and provide clear leadership from early planning and procurement through construction.
• With 12+ years of professional experience, you are a licensed architect recognized for successfully delivering public and institutional work in California. You bring deep expertise in civic and/or higher education projects, including complex stakeholder environments, public procurement, competitive pursuits, and alternative delivery methods. Your leadership ensures projects are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with client goals, institutional priorities, operational needs, and community impact.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and drive project delivery across all phases, managing scope, schedule, budget, and resources to achieve efficient, profitable outcomes.
• Serve as the primary client interface, leading stakeholder engagement with public-sector leadership, campus and district leadership, user groups, facilities teams, community stakeholders, and public agencies, building alignment across complex institutional environments.
• Coordinate internal teams and external consultants to deliver fully integrated, high-performing design and technical solutions.
• Guide projects through regulatory approvals, permitting, and public agency processes, including DSA and other California public-sector approval frameworks as applicable.
• Collaborate closely with Design Leaders and technical staff to align design intent with project constraints and delivery requirements.
• Lead and support RFQ and RFP pursuits for civic and higher education work, including design-build and other alternative delivery procurements, with a strong understanding of public-sector selection processes and evaluation criteria.
• Oversee construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, site visits, and field coordination, ensuring quality and alignment with design intent.
• Manage project planning, including workplans, staffing strategies, fee management, and resource alignment.
• Negotiate and manage project contracts and consultant agreements in coordination with firm leadership, maintaining clear scope, risk, fee, and performance alignment.
• Anticipate project risks and develop strategies to mitigate challenges and maintain consistent project performance.
• Uphold rigorous quality standards across all deliverables, ensuring compliance with codes, regulations, and firm practices.
• Mentor and guide project teams, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing work environment.

Requirements

• Registered/Licensed Architect required. California licensure strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited university required.
• 12+ years of professional experience, including significant experience managing civic, higher education, or comparable complex public/institutional projects in California.
• Proven experience leading and contributing to RFQ and RFP pursuits for public-sector work, including design-build or other alternative delivery methods; demonstrated success in competitive selections strongly preferred.
• Strong experience working with public and institutional clients, agencies, user groups, and complex stakeholder organizations.
• Experience delivering projects in active public or campus environments, including phasing, stakeholder coordination, operational continuity, and occupied-site constraints.
• Deep understanding of project delivery methods, including design-build, CM at Risk, and design-bid-build.
• Strong knowledge of the California Building Code, accessibility requirements, and public agency permitting and approval processes; DSA experience strongly preferred for candidates with a higher education focus.
• Strong technical background in building systems, construction methods, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead complex discussions and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in construction administration and maintaining project quality through completion.
• Commitment to professional development, leadership, and knowledge-sharing within the firm.
• Proficiency in Revit and project management tools preferred.

Skills

Required

• Registered/Licensed Architect
• Project management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Team leadership
• Construction administration
• Regulatory approvals and permitting
• RFQ/RFP pursuits
• Contract negotiation
• Risk management
• Quality assurance
• Mentoring
• Problem-solving

Preferred

• California licensure
• DSA experience
• Revit
• Project management tools

Benefits

• Final role, title, and compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's specific expertise and skills.