Job Title: Project ArchitectJob DescriptionThe Project Architect leads projects from early design through construction, managing schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and client communication while ensuring high-quality design and documentation. This role coordinates closely with consultants and internal teams, oversees project financials, and ensures projects are delivered on time and within budget. The Project Architect also mentors junior team members, produces detailed plans and 3D renderings, and actively participates in construction administration, permitting, and punch-list activities.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans across all phases of design and construction.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, maintaining clear, consistent communication and managing expectations.
- Coordinate with external consultants and internal project teams to ensure cohesive, integrated design solutions.
- Forecast workload and resource needs by project phase to support efficient project delivery.
- Monitor project financials, including tracking budgets, managing hours, and overseeing invoicing.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with quality standards and client goals.
- Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to junior team members to foster professional growth and strong project performance.
- Create detailed plans, 3D renderings, and design presentations using Revit and visualization tools such as Enscape.
- Lead and oversee construction documentation, ensuring accuracy, coordination, and quality control for both personal work and the work of team members.
- Participate in the submittal process, including preparing addenda sketches, drawing revisions, and other clarifications as needed.
- Assist with the permitting process, including preparation and coordination of documents required for approvals.
- Participate in punch-list walkthroughs and follow-up to ensure construction aligns with design intent and quality expectations.
- Lead and manage teams and multiple projects simultaneously, including scheduling, workload planning, deadlines, budgeting, and QA/QC activities.
- Engage in all project phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding and permitting, and construction administration.
- Support bidding and permitting efforts by preparing and coordinating documentation and responding to questions from stakeholders.
- Apply knowledge of building codes and standard construction methods to ensure compliant and constructible designs.
- Collaborate closely with senior leadership and partners in a hands-on studio environment focused on client service and community impact.
- Travel locally to project sites approximately twice per month for meetings, observations, and construction administration activities.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Architecture or Interior Design from an accredited university.
- 8+ years of professional experience in architecture or interior design (flexible based on overall qualifications).
- Proficiency in Revit with the ability to produce and coordinate detailed construction documents.
- Relevant project experience in K-12 education, workplace, municipal, or library projects.
- Experience with both ground-up and renovation projects.
- Demonstrated experience in construction documentation and involvement in construction administration.
- Proven experience leading and managing teams and projects, including project management responsibilities.
- Experience working independently across all project phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding/permitting, and construction administration.
- Proficiency with Enscape for 3D visualization and rendering.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Experience managing multiple projects, including scheduling, workload, deadlines, budgeting, and QA/QC.
- Strong knowledge of building codes and standard construction methods.
- Ability and willingness to travel locally approximately two times per month.
- Collaborative, outgoing, and strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, and internal teams.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in both design and documentation.
- Ability to monitor and manage project financials, including budgets and invoicing.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Professional licensure in architecture or interior design preferred.
- Experience using Deltek or similar project management software is a plus.
- Prior experience on projects focused on K-12 education, libraries, municipal facilities, recreation, and workplace environments.
- Comfort working in a family-oriented, collaborative, and low-turnover environment that emphasizes long-term growth.
- Interest in mentoring junior staff and contributing to a supportive studio culture.
- Motivation to engage in ongoing professional development, including participation in educational sessions and pursuit of licensure or certifications.
Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a well-established architecture and interior design firm located in downtown Chicago in a studio environment focused on community-driven design. The firms primary market sectors include K-12 education, libraries, municipal facilities such as fire and police stations and town halls, recreation and park district amenities, and workplace projects, with a strong emphasis on renovation work. Project sites are primarily located in the Chicago suburbs, as well as in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and the team partners closely with clients to design spaces that support their goals. The studio operates as a hands-on, client-focused environment that values building long-standing relationships as much as design excellence. The team consists of approximately 46 people, including an interiors team of about 10, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture. Standard office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break, and start and end times are flexible to accommodate personal needs such as appointments or childcare, with most employees working between 8:009:00 AM start times and 4:305:30 PM end times. Overtime is occasionally required during peak deadlines, though the firm strives to limit overtime whenever possible. The position follows a hybrid schedule with 23 days in the office each week; Mondays are a required in-office day for team meetings, and employees are encouraged to work in the office an additional 12 days per week, documenting their planned in-office days on a team board. New employees spend approximately their first two months fully in-office to support onboarding, integration with the team, and familiarity with firm standards and processes. The culture is family-oriented and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on improving the communities served. Employees benefit from direct, daily interaction with senior leadership and partners, as well as bonus and profit-sharing opportunities, mileage reimbursement for client-related travel, paid time off for licensing exams, weekly lunch-and-learn sessions for continuing education hours, access to study materials, and reimbursement for licensure and certification costs upon completion. Benefits details are available upon request. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $36.05 - $43.27/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Chicago,IL.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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