Senior Project Manager/ Vice President, Design (The 78)

Related • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Related Midwest is looking for someone to manage the strategic master planning associated with our large scale project, The 78. The role will guide the long-term vision for the project, manage multidisciplinary design teams, and ensure cohesive integration of buildings, infrastructure, public realm and environmental systems across a complex, high-profile site.

Requirements

• Professional degree in Architecture, Urban Planning or equivalent
• Licensed Architect with 10+ years of experience in large-scale urban, mixed-use, or campus planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder design and planning efforts.
• Strong understanding of site infrastructure, civil coordination, and urban systems.
• Excellent ability to articulate planning vision and guide diverse teams.
• Deep knowledge of zoning, land use planning, site engineering, circulation networks, and public realm frameworks.
• Ability to coordinate civil, structural, landscape, and architectural systems across large, multi-building campuses or developments.
• Familiarity with municipal and environmental regulations, utility coordination, and permitting processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess scenarios and develop implementable solutions.
• Ability to balance long-term vision with near-term development constraints and financial realities.
• Comfortable working within multidisciplinary teams (architecture, engineering, landscape, sustainability, development).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with waterfront or climate-resilient design is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the strategic goals and objectives for the project during the design and construction phases in conjunction with the Executive Team.
• Responsible for drafting and monitoring project plans, budgets, and scopes to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Develop and maintain the overall master plan including land use strategy, massing, circulation, infrastructure and public realm frameworks.
• Guide design vision across multiple parcels and building types.
• Develop strategies for open spaces, site circulation, riverfront development.
• Evaluate design proposals, in collaboration with Development team, for site-wide consistency, feasibility and adherence to project goals.
• Close collaboration with Development and Construction teams to ensure program, schedule and budget goals are achieved.
• Oversee the master planning process from concept through documentation phases.
• Monitor and document critical design decisions to ensure they are consistent with project goals and delivered in a timely manner.
• Coordinate master planning with architectural, landscape, and building development teams to support future vertical construction.
• Track milestones, budgets, assumptions, and project risks at a district-wide scale.
• Facilitate timely decision-making by preparing scenarios, trade-off analyses, and recommendations.
• Coordinate presentations such that the extended team is informed throughout the design progress.
• Ensure compliance with zoning, shoreline regulations, sustainability goals, and city planning processes.
• Review consultant drawings and documents for coordination, accuracy, and quality.
• Support phasing and implementation planning for multi-year development rollout.
• Work with Department Head to assemble the appropriate team of consultants to produce the highest quality product.
• Review and comment on all deliverables.
• Manage consultant’s budgets and discern the need for and request additional scope of work.
• Track and recommend approval of invoices based on consultant deliverables.
• Develop and maintain deliverable schedules.
• Collaborate closely with other Related teams so that documents are delivered and evaluated within the timelines established.
• Identify and maintain any timelines that are related to governing agency reviews.
• Conduct periodic coordination meetings involving related consultants so that information is shared and dialogue is consistent.
• Record and minute all meetings and keep track of attendees’ input.
• Provide support to clarify scope during bidding.
• Attend meetings with construction trades to clarify and/or direct any in-field design decisions.

Benefits

• Personalized Health Care: Multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options; Employee Assistance Program
• Financial Benefits: Competitive salary and incentive packages; matching 401(k); FSAs and HSA; employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; paid leave & disability programs
• Social Wellness: 19+ days of PTO; mental health counseling & resources; fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance; volunteer days and donation matching
• Career Development: Learning & training programs; tuition & certification reimbursement; internal advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

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