Senior Project Manager - Multifamily/Mixed Use

Carrier Johnson + Culture•San Diego, CA

About The Position

At Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C), we believe exceptional design is achieved through collaboration, innovation, and disciplined execution. Our interdisciplinary teams create transformative environments that strengthen communities and enrich the human experience. Our portfolio includes high-density multifamily residential, mixed-use, affordable housing, hospitality, workplace, civic, higher education, and commercial developments throughout California and beyond. We are seeking an accomplished Senior Project Manager / Architect with extensive multifamily residential and mixed-use experience to lead complex developments from planning through construction while fostering strong client relationships, mentoring project teams, and contributing to the continued growth of our residential practice. As a Senior Project Manager / Architect at CJ+C, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex multifamily and mixed-use developments, balancing design excellence with technical rigor, project performance, and client objectives. With 12+ years of professional experience, you are a licensed architect recognized for successfully delivering high-density multifamily, mixed-use, and urban residential developments throughout California. You understand the priorities of developers, ownership groups, and investment partners, balancing design excellence, constructability, project economics, and speed to market. You understand that successful multifamily communities are created through the seamless integration of architecture, interiors, landscape, branding, and placemaking, creating environments that enhance the resident experience while maximizing long-term asset value. Your leadership ensures projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and aligned with both client goals and investment objectives.

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-A, Type III, and Type V construction, podium configurations, and mixed-use developments.
Strong understanding of California planning, entitlement, permitting, accessibility, and building code requirements, with experience navigating planning commissions, design review boards, and municipal approval processes.
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 the design and construction process.
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 to deliver integrated residential communities.
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.

Nice To Haves

LEED accreditation or experience incorporating sustainable design strategies is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead project delivery across all phases, including 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 project financial performance to deliver high-quality, profitable outcomes.
Serve as the primary client contact, building long-term relationships with developers, ownership groups, and institutional investors through proactive communication, sound judgment, and exceptional client service.
Collaborate closely with Design Leaders and Project Architects to deliver residential communities that balance architectural excellence, technical execution, market differentiation, constructability, operational efficiency, and long-term asset value.
Lead multidisciplinary consultant teams, including structural, civil, landscape, MEP, lighting, acoustics, and specialty consultants, ensuring seamless coordination throughout project delivery.
Guide projects through planning, entitlement, design review, permitting, and municipal approval processes, coordinating effectively with planning departments, jurisdictions, and regulatory agencies throughout California.
Lead coordination of complex multifamily and mixed-use projects with a strong understanding of density, parking solutions, unit mix, amenity programming, constructability, and residential building systems.
Lead construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, field observations, punch lists, and contractor coordination, ensuring quality, constructability, and alignment with design intent.
Negotiate and administer consultant agreements while supporting client contract administration and proactively managing project risk.
Identify project risks early and develop practical strategies that support project goals, schedules, and budgets.
Support the continued growth of the multifamily practice by cultivating developer relationships, identifying new opportunities, contributing to proposals and interviews, and expanding repeat business with existing clients.
Promote collaboration across architecture, interiors, landscape, and branding teams to deliver integrated design solutions that create cohesive communities from the outside in and the inside out.
Mentor and develop Project Architects, Project Managers, and emerging professionals, fostering technical excellence, accountability, and professional growth.