Bernardo Wills - Design-Build Project Manager

Design-Build Project Manager

Lead meaningful projects at a firm that invests in its people.

Our client, a respected architecture and design-build firm known for thoughtful design and strong client relationships, is seeking an experienced Design-Build Project Manager to lead integrated project delivery from concept through construction.

This is more than a traditional project management role. You'll report directly to a Principal with three decades of industry experience, known throughout the firm for being intentional, trusting, and genuinely invested in the people who work for him. He's not a micromanager, but he's always available. The team describes him as one of the kindest people they've worked for.

If you're someone with real presence, who can walk into a room with clients, contractors, or government stakeholders and hold your own, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. The firm is especially interested in candidates with military or federal project experience, whether or not that experience came from serving in uniform.

What You'll Love About This Opportunity

• Report to a Principal known for trust, mentorship, and a hands-off but always-available leadership style
• Lead design-build projects from pre-design through construction completion, with real ownership over outcomes
• Play a meaningful role in business development, client relationships, and proposal work, not just project execution
• Genuine path to becoming an Associate at the firm, even without architectural licensure
• Mentor and help grow a team of technical staff, BIM managers, and project managers
• Work for a firm that values design quality, client trust, and long-term relationships over volume

As the Design-Build Project Manager, you'll serve as the primary point of contact for clients, consultants, and internal teams, coordinating across architectural, engineering, and construction disciplines to ensure seamless project delivery. You'll develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and scopes of work, oversee permitting, procurement, and contractor coordination, and facilitate design reviews, construction meetings, and stakeholder updates.

You'll also play an active role in growing the firm's business, supporting proposal development and client presentations, and identifying opportunities to build new and existing relationships. Where applicable, you'll ensure compliance with government, military, and regulatory requirements, and you'll work to identify and mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, and constructability throughout each project.

Beyond project delivery, this role carries a real mentorship component. The firm is looking for someone who wants to develop the people around them, not just direct their work.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of project management experience in A/E/C or design-build environments
• Demonstrated experience managing projects through multiple phases, from design through construction
• Strong understanding of project delivery methods, particularly design-build
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
• A confident, capable presence that holds up well in front of clients and contractors

Preferred

• Background in architecture or the architectural design process
• Experience working on military, federal, or government projects (not necessarily as a service member)
• Familiarity with federal contracting requirements and processes
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, or AIA
• Experience with design and construction software tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Procore, or Smartsheet

This role offers a rare combination: real ownership over project delivery, a genuine voice in business development, and a path to firm leadership, all under a Principal who leads with trust rather than oversight. If you're looking for a place where your presence, your relationships, and your leadership are valued just as much as your technical execution, we'd love to connect with you.

Compensation: $120K+ plus supplemental