Project Manager, South Florida Lead

Position Summary

The Project Manager Lead will be a key leader in SOM’s growing South Florida region, focused on successfully managing complex projects while driving client relationships and business development opportunities. Located in South Florida, this role will lead project teams, oversee scope, schedule, budget, contracts, and delivery, and serve as a trusted partner to clients throughout the project lifecycle. A significant part of the role involves cultivating new and existing client relationships, identifying opportunities, supporting pursuits, and helping expand SOM’s portfolio and market presence across South Florida.

Responsibilities

• Market Expansion & Strategy: Serve as a key local leader, collaborating with firm leadership to drive growth, shape practice strategy, and expand SOM’s presence in South Florida.
• Business Development & Pursuits: Lead regional business development and marketing efforts, identify new opportunities, track upcoming projects, respond to marketing requests, and co‑lead client pursuits and presentations.
• Industry Engagement & Networking: Act as an ambassador within South Florida architecture, real‑estate development, and civic communities through involvement in organizations such as ULI, AIA, NAIOP, CVU, panel discussions, and local networking events.
• Project Delivery & Operations: Lead the architectural project team in close collaboration with SOM Partners and local practice leadership to achieve design, technical, and financial success; participate actively in design and technical discussions and decision‑making.
• Client Management: Directly manage South Florida owner/client relationships and expectations to enable effective, efficient, and collaborative work while fostering long‑term partnerships.
• Work Planning & Execution: Collaborate with Partners and senior team to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans aligning project goals (budget, deliverables, schedule); gain agreement for labor allocation; chair weekly team meetings to address variances, set agendas, and provide status updates.
• Project Administration & Communication: Communicate actively by chairing weekly meetings, issuing minutes, maintaining accurate project records, and sharing project information and correspondence.
• Agile Studio Operations: Help establish and maintain office culture and operational rhythm within a lean, agile local studio environment, contributing to the growth of the regional office.
• Agreements & Risk Management: Prepare quality agreements with clients (letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, professional service agreements); initiate and maintain SOM‑Client Services Agreements, SOM Sub‑Consultant Agreements, and requests for additional services; monitor scope for contract compliance and engage in project risk management with Partners and legal group.
• Financial & Controls Management: Administer internal control procedures with the Project Accountant (billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, year‑end activities); analyze project reports, proactively manage profitability, and maintain financial performance.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively lead a project team, partnering directly with Partners and the Practice Leader to mentor local staff, establish studio culture, and guide team growth as the South Florida practice expands.
• Directly supervise, train, and mentor team members, setting clear expectations and supporting professional development.
• Engage in talent strategy to recruit specialists, leaders, and future professionals through resume review, interviews, and local hiring as the team scales.
• Demonstrate leadership in implementing sustainable strategies on all project assignments and develop staff knowledge of sustainability.
• Create and drive new ways of working by contributing to the development of services, standards, and procedures that protect SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture.
• Licensed in the state of practice (Florida preferred, or ability to achieve reciprocity promptly); LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Established professional network and demonstrated understanding of the South Florida real‑estate, development, and AEC landscape.
• Proven track record in business development, proposal preparation, client presentations, and fee negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage schedule, budget, and program.
• General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles, including familiarity with LEED or other green‑building rating systems.
• Familiarity with standard AIA contracts and sub‑consultant management experience.
• Proficiency in Deltek, Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite; AI workflows a plus; familiarity with Deltek Vision, Salesforce.
• Strong English written and verbal communication; Spanish is a plus.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $100,000 to $130,000.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project‑management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc.). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be a single PDF, 10–20 pages, maximum 5 MB, and uploaded in the designated resume/CV section of the application.