Architectural Project Manager

Architectural Project Manager

GPD is seeking an experienced Architectural Project Manager to lead retail, restaurant, commercial or industrial projects from our Akron, OH office location. This role is ideal for an architect who enjoys owning the full project lifecycle, serving as the primary client contact, leading integrated teams, and balancing design quality with schedule, budget, and constructability. Join GPD Group, where our purpose is to improve the well-being of our employees, clients, communities, and business partners by transforming opportunities into success. We are passionate about the work we do and the relationships we build with clients. Our employee ownership structure fosters a non-hierarchical collaborative work environment, where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and creativity to the betterment of the organization and our clients. This structure also enables each associate to explore and expand their talents, reach their full potential, and deliver to the core traits that guide GPD group and allow us to deliver successfully for our clients. For over 65 years, GPD Group has been providing architectural, engineering and planning services to clients across the United States. With a diverse team of 870+ professionals working in 14 different offices, it is our passion for our work and our commitment to our purpose that unites us.

Position Summary: Lead retail/commercial projects from initial concept through construction while building trusted client relationships and developing the next generation of architectural talent. At GPD Group, experienced project managers have autonomy, multidisciplinary resources, and employee-owner mindset to shape project outcomes, strengthen client programs, and make a visible impact across the organization.

Role Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture and 10+ years of progressive architectural experience, including substantial project management responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience delivering retail, restaurant, commercial or industrial projects, including ground-up buildings, tenant improvements, prototypes, renovations, and multi-site programs.
• Proven ability to lead projects through programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, permitting, bidding, construction administration, and closeout.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, zoning, accessibility requirements, construction types, building systems, materials, detailing, and industry standards applicable to retail and commercial work.
• Experience preparing and coordinating technically complete construction documents and specifications, with a strong focus on quality assurance, constructability, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Working proficiency in AutoCAD and/or Revit and BIM-based project delivery; familiarity with Bluebeam, Microsoft 365, scheduling, and project financial management tools is preferred.
• Track record of managing project scope, fees, schedules, staffing plans, risk, additional services, and consultant agreements across multiple concurrent projects.
• Confident client-facing presence with the ability to facilitate meetings, communicate recommendations, resolve issues, and maintain long-term relationships with owners, developers, contractors, consultants, and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Effective leadership and mentoring skills, including experience assigning work, setting expectations, reviewing deliverables, coaching staff, and fostering accountability across teams and offices.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the judgment to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel periodically to client meetings, project sites, and other GPD offices; a valid driver's license is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and lead projects from kickoff through closeout, translating business, brand, operational, site, and schedule requirements into clear project objectives and deliverables.
• Develop project approaches, scopes of services, fee proposals, work plans, staffing strategies, milestone schedules, and consultant assignments.
• Lead architectural teams and coordinate civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, interior design, specialty consultants, contractors, landlords, and client stakeholders across all phases of work.
• Guide programming, planning, design, documentation, and technical decision-making for ground-up, tenant improvement, remodel, prototype, and multi-site retail or commercial projects.
• Manage project scope, budget, schedule, staffing, invoicing, and efficiency; identify variances early and implement corrective actions, additional services, or contract amendments as needed.
• Direct quality assurance and quality control reviews to confirm document accuracy, interdisciplinary coordination, code compliance, constructability, consistency with client standards, and completeness at each milestone.
• Lead or coordinate due diligence, code and zoning analysis, entitlement and permitting coordination, agency responses, design review submissions, and resolution of authority having jurisdiction comments.
• Administer the construction phase, including preconstruction coordination, submittal and RFI review, architect's supplemental instructions, change evaluation, site observations, punch lists, and project closeout.
• Anticipate project risks, communicate decisions and impacts clearly, document key issues, and coordinate timely resolution with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal leaders.
• Mentor architects and designers by setting clear expectations, reviewing work, sharing technical knowledge, supporting professional development, and building high-performing teams.
• Support client development and growth by identifying opportunities, contributing to interviews and proposals, sharing lessons learned, and strengthening repeat-client relationships.

GPD Offers a Compensation and Benefits Package Which Includes:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term & Long Term Disability Insurance.
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with matching and company contribution
• Profit sharing
• Bonus
• Vacation & Sick Time
• And much more…

At GPD Group, we believe in the value of every individual. GPD Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we assure you that all applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veterans, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.