Justice Architectural Project Manager

GFT. • Washington, DC

4d • $180,000 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT Architects, Inc. is seeking a Senior Justice Architectural Project Manager to provide strategic leadership and advance growth in the justice and corrections market. The role leads and mentors the Justice Architecture team, builds client relationships, supports revenue growth and business development, and collaborates with market and regional leaders across GFT’s integrated Architecture & Engineering practice. The position promotes design innovation and community-centered, human-focused environments.

The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary justice projects from conceptual design through construction completion and client turnover. Responsibilities include developing scopes, schedules, and budgets; directing design and technical production; overseeing construction documents, specifications, estimates, quality reviews, and constructability assessments; and guiding permitting, bidding, shop drawing reviews, construction administration, and RFI responses. The role also involves client presentations, proposal development, code and life-safety reviews, coordination with engineering disciplines and subconsultants, and mentoring architectural staff.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with periodic in-person collaboration at GFT’s Justice Architecture mid-Atlantic offices based on project and business needs. The listed location is Washington, DC and New York. Core business hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Employment status is full-time. The salary range is $180,000–$200,000, dependent on experience and geographic location. GFT has more than 5,000 employees and is a privately held AEC firm.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience working in the justice and corrections market.
• At least 15 years of experience in architecture.
• Bachelor of Architecture or Master of Architecture degree.
• Knowledge of justice design standards, including ACA and NIC guidelines.
• Experience leading projects, business development pursuits, and client relationship management.
• Experience with Revit Architecture, AutoCAD, BlueBeam Revu, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Project.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with staff and clients on multiple projects and across multiple offices.
• In-depth knowledge of International Building Codes (IBC), NFPA, ADA, LEED, and related industry standards.
• Strong client relationship skills and ability to lead project-focused meetings and presentations.
• Demonstrated success developing client relationships, securing new work, and contributing to revenue growth in the justice and corrections market.
• Organized, with a positive team-building spirit.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Architect (Registered Architect) in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to obtain reciprocity where required.
• At least 10 years of experience in Architectural Project Management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop the Justice Architecture team and foster high-quality engagement with clients and design partners.
• Represent GFT within the justice and corrections market and promote the firm’s expertise and capabilities.
• Collaborate with market discipline leaders to execute a unified growth strategy across regions.
• Assist with or lead project pre-positioning, proposal development, and presentations to key clients.
• Cultivate trusted client relationships and maintain a positive, client-focused approach.
• Lead high-quality production of construction documents, including drawings, specifications, estimates, and constructability assessments.
• Research and maintain an understanding of client requirements, preferences, programs, guidelines, and standards.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, and budgets and ensure successful delivery and achievement of performance goals.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams to serve clients, strengthen relationships, and grow regional market presence.
• Lead the development of design solutions and presentations that communicate project goals and design intent to clients and stakeholders, including government and public entities.
• Ensure project quality requirements are followed, production reviews are effective, and constructability reviews are completed.
• Conduct and oversee code analysis, life-safety reviews, egress evaluations, and product and material research.
• Lead projects from conceptual design through construction completion and client turnover.
• Guide production teams in developing technical details and coordinating with engineering disciplines, partnering designers, and subconsultants.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and oversee drawing and technical specification production.
• Supervise project teams during permitting, bidding, shop drawing review, and construction administration, including RFI responses.
• Guide and mentor entry-level and emerging architectural staff.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment with in-person and remote work.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Wellness programs.
• Parental leave.
• Pet insurance.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Professional development, internal and external training programs, and support for participation in professional organizations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior