Senior Project Manager SD

Carrier Johnson + Culture•San Diego, CA

10d

About The Position

Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) is seeking an accomplished Senior Project Manager / Architect with extensive multifamily residential experience to lead complex developments from planning through construction. The role combines design excellence with technical rigor, project performance, and client objectives, while fostering strong client relationships, mentoring project teams, and contributing to the growth of the residential practice. The successful candidate is a licensed architect with 12+ years of professional experience delivering high-density multifamily, mixed-use, and urban residential developments, particularly in California. They will balance design quality, constructability, project economics, and speed to market while coordinating architecture, interiors, landscape, branding, and placemaking to enhance resident experience and long-term asset value. Projects are expected to be delivered on schedule, within budget, and in line with client goals and investment objectives. The position leads project delivery from feasibility, entitlements, and design through permitting, construction administration, and closeout. It manages project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, consultants, contracts, risk, and financial performance; serves as the primary client contact; guides multidisciplinary teams and municipal approvals; and supports business development and repeat client relationships. The role also mentors Project Architects, Project Managers, and emerging professionals. Candidates must provide a current portfolio and/or work samples in PDF format. Final role, title, and compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's expertise, leadership experience, and qualifications.

Requirements

Registered/licensed architect required; California licensure strongly preferred.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited university required.
12+ years of professional experience, including extensive experience managing multifamily residential and mixed-use developments.
Demonstrated experience delivering high-density podium, wrap, urban infill, mixed-use, affordable housing, and market-rate multifamily projects throughout California.
Experience partnering with private developers, institutional investors, ownership groups, and multidisciplinary consultant teams.
Comprehensive understanding of California residential building types, including Type I, III, and V construction, podium configurations, and mixed-use developments.
Strong understanding of California planning, entitlement, permitting, accessibility, and building code requirements, including planning commissions, design review boards, and municipal approvals.
Deep understanding of multifamily construction methods, building systems, constructability, and project delivery.
Strong understanding of developer pro formas, project economics, value engineering, and constructability throughout design and construction.
Demonstrated success managing project budgets, schedules, staffing, consultant coordination, and overall project financial performance.
Experience coordinating with interiors, landscape architecture, branding, and amenity planning teams.
Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to build consensus among clients, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and internal teams.
Proven ability to lead multiple complex projects while mentoring and developing high-performing project teams.
Advanced proficiency in Revit and BIM coordination.
Provide a current portfolio and/or work samples in PDF format.

Nice To Haves

California architect licensure is strongly preferred.
LEED accreditation or experience incorporating sustainable design strategies.

Responsibilities

Lead project delivery across feasibility studies, entitlement support, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, permitting, construction administration, and project closeout.
Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, consultant coordination, and financial performance.
Serve as the primary client contact and build long-term relationships with developers, ownership groups, and institutional investors.
Collaborate with Design Leaders to balance architectural excellence, market differentiation, constructability, operational efficiency, and long-term asset value.
Lead multidisciplinary consultant teams, including structural, civil, landscape, MEP, lighting, acoustics, and specialty consultants.
Guide projects through planning, entitlement, design review, permitting, and municipal approval processes across California.
Coordinate complex multifamily projects, including density, parking, unit mix, amenity programming, constructability, and residential building systems.
Lead construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, field observations, punch lists, and contractor coordination.
Negotiate and administer consultant agreements, support client contract administration, and proactively manage project risk.
Identify project risks and develop strategies to support project goals, schedules, and budgets.
Support growth of the multifamily practice by cultivating developer relationships, identifying opportunities, contributing to proposals and interviews, and expanding repeat business.
Promote collaboration across architecture, interiors, landscape, and branding teams to deliver integrated design solutions.
Mentor and develop Project Architects, Project Managers, and emerging professionals.