Architectural Project Manager (Retail)

Architectural Project Manager (Retail)

Lawrence Group is a place for dreamers.

That’s a quality we look for in our clients – and in our employees. These dreams – these ideas – inspire us. They move us forward. From the very beginning, we’ve built our culture to encourage this kind of thinking. We’ve never been about ego or hierarchy. And our approach is not about raw beauty or creativity. It’s about finding new ways to bring people together. Helping our clients make what they do more relevant, more impactful, and above all, more meaningful, for all.

Lawrence Group is a building design, development, and project delivery firm headquartered in St. Louis with offices in Austin, Florida, and New York. With 170+ employees, Lawrence Group offers architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, furniture procurement, and graphic design services to a wide variety of clients, including housing, hospitality, healthcare, academic, and retail.

This position will adhere to Lawrence Group’s core values:

Legendary: We strive to be legendary, from the service we provide to our impact on the community.

Innovation: We’re driven by ideas and creativity. We take calculated risks and embrace opportunities.

Growth: We seek sustainable growth for our clients, our organization, and our employees.

Heart: We lead with heart. We celebrate, appreciate and care for each other.

Trust: We rely on trust to pursue excellence. We speak honestly, act transparently and honor our commitments.

Position Summary:

Lawrence Group’s  St. Louis office is seeking an experienced  Architectural Project Manager to join our Retail team. The Architectural Project Manager – Retail Market manages multiple small to medium-sized retail projects, coordinating all aspects of assigned work and estimating scope with precision. This role holds full accountability for driving the success of each project—from initial concept through completion—ensuring alignment with client brand standards, design intent, budgets, and schedules.

The Project Manager prepares strategic plans for project execution and leads the coordination of all efforts—administrative, technical, and design—to achieve efficient, cost-effective outcomes. Serving as the primary client liaison, this individual ensures seamless communication and delivery that meets or exceeds client expectations. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, schedules, and programs; overseeing team assignments and documentation; guiding consultants; and ensuring quality control throughout all phases. Additionally, the Project Manager estimates fees, defines scope of work, prepares proposals and contracts, and supports business development initiatives within the Retail Market with senior leader support as needed.

Project work will include the full range of design through construction administration as well as managing a small team. The role involves providing leadership on design forward retail, QSR, and med-tail accounts with multiple locations throughout the U.S.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

· Project Planning and Coordination:

o Collaborate with clients, architects, and other project stakeholders to define project goals, objectives, and design requirements.

o Develop comprehensive project plans, including budgets, schedules, resource allocation, and procurement strategies.

o Coordinate and manage project teams, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout all project phases.

o Conduct regular project meetings to track progress, address issues, and provide updates to stakeholders.

o Monitor project financial performance and profitability, identify potential risks, and implement proactive measures to mitigate them.

o Consultant engagement and coordination

· Design and Documentation:

o Review architectural designs, drawings, and specifications to ensure compliance with client requirements, building codes, regulations and design intent.

o Collaborate with architects and design teams to develop detailed construction documents, including plans, elevations, sections, and details.

o Ensure accuracy and completeness of design documentation and coordinate with relevant parties for timely approvals.

o Consultant engagement and coordination.

· Project Execution and Quality Control:

o Oversee the construction process, ensuring adherence to design intent, quality standards, and industry best practices.

o Coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials and equipment.

o Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction progress, address any issues, and ensure compliance with project specifications (if applicable).

o Implement quality control procedures to ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship and workmanship are maintained.

· Project Financial Management:

o Develop and manage project budgets, including cost estimation, tracking, and forecasting.

o Develop project agreements / proposals with assistance from supervisor.

o Review and approve project-related expenses, change orders, and invoices.

o Monitor project financial performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement appropriate measures.

o Reviewing/approving consultants' invoices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture or Interior Design from an accredited institution

•7-10+ years of professional experience, preferably in a commercial design firm using Revit and AutoCAD and managing projects.

• Excellent design, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.

• Knowledge of general interior construction, methods & materials, details and standard building codes.

• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Microsoft (Office, Outlook, Excel, Word) and the Adobe Creative

• Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) is a minimum requirement.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment with a strong work ethic, with the ability to manage multiple projects deadlines.

• Excellent client interaction/communication balanced with production mindset.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position may have some supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment with hybrid schedule capability. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and other equipment.

Physical Demands

This position requires no minimum ability to lift, bend or stand.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with typical Monday-Friday work schedule.

Travel

Travel may be required as part of this position.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,

duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and

activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Definitions

Large Project = New construction/Ground Up Medium Project = Full renovation of existing space/tenant

relocation Small Project = Re-fresh of existing space

Recruitment Firm Disclaimer:

Lawrence Group is not accepting resumes or candidate submissions from recruitment or staffing agencies at this time. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted to Lawrence Group without a signed agreement in place will be considered the property of Lawrence Group, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for those candidates.

Lawrence Group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.