Job Description

Job Location Chicago IL - Chicago, IL 60631 Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Salary Range $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 Salary Travel Percentage None

Job Title: Project Leader
Department: Architecture
Reports to: Senior Project Manager/Project Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $80,000 - $110,000

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Project Leader reports to a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager and is responsible for everyday project activities, quality control, and project delivery. The Project Leader will oversee all project phases from design to contract document and specification production, shop drawing checks, site visitation, and project closeout. This position is ideal for an experienced architectural designer ready to take on greater team leader tasks, coordination, and client-facing responsibilities, while working under the guidance of a licensed Project Architect, Project Manager or Studio Director. The Project Leader ensures design intent is successfully translated into coordinated, buildable documents and helps manage the day-to-day progress of the project team through all phases of design and documentation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may supervise Designers I, II, and III.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. General duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Design and Technical Coordination

• Direct the hands-on drawing production efforts of the project team across all project phases.
• Lead the coordination, production, and quality control of design and construction documents, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with design intent.
• Review architectural documents for coordination with all disciplines, including structural, MEP, civil, and interiors, to ensure consistency and integration.
• Coordinate, write, and/or edit architectural specifications to align with design documents and performance requirements.
• Research and apply building codes, materials, systems, and sustainable design strategies.
• Maintain design integrity and technical excellence throughout the project life cycle.

Project Management and Coordination

• Direct and coordinate the workload of the project team and consultants to meet project schedules, milestones, and deliverable deadlines.
• Support the project management team in defining project scope, schedule, staffing, and task assignments.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential issues, and proactively implement corrective actions.
• Lead coordination meetings with internal teams and consultants to resolve design and technical issues.
• Support the management of project budgets and hours to maintain efficiency and profitability.

Client and Consultant Interaction

• Participate in client meetings, presentations, and design reviews; clearly communicate design concepts and project updates.
• Coordinate with external consultants to ensure cohesive design and technical integration across all disciplines.
• Support the project management team in maintaining client relationships and delivering responsive, high-quality service.

Documentation and Construction Administration

• Oversee the preparation of construction documents, ensuring consistency and technical accuracy.
• Participate in site visits and field observations to verify that construction aligns with design intent.
• Assist in project closeout documentation and post-occupancy evaluations.

Mentorship and Team Development

• Provide day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and feedback to Designers I–III and technical staff, under the direction of the Project Manager.
• Encourage a collaborative and high-performance team culture focused on quality and accountability.
• Contribute to the professional development of junior staff through knowledge sharing and on-the-job training.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of project development process, including construction, retail design, site planning, structural, and MEP criteria.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to meet deadlines and provide high-quality service to clients.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of building codes, zoning regulations, and approval processes.
• Thorough understanding of building systems and site requirements.
• Highly organized, detail-driven, and conscientious.
• Able to work well with minimal direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Proficient in current versions of Revit, AutoCAD, MS Word, and MS Excel.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture.
• 6-10 years of experience, with 3 years working in commercial retail/mixed-use or multi-family housing projects.
• Licensure in architecture is preferred, or is working towards licensure.

Qualifications

EEO

We recognize the value of diversity and inclusion at our firm. We are committed to equal opportunity. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexual preference, partnership status, gender identity, protected veteran status, status of participation in the U.S. Armed Services, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office setting, onsite at client locations, and on construction/building sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires sufficient physical ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform work in an office setting, which includes extensive employee contact, frequent interruptions, the ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods, to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist, to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight, to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard, to verbally communicate to exchange information, to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation, to verbally communicate to exchange information with or without accommodation, to see in the normal visual range with or without correction, and can hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. This position requires physical mobility on and around construction sites before and after the installation of landscaping, pavement, stairs, elevators, electricity, heating, and air conditioning.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

OTHER

Individuals who hold legal work authorization applicable to employment in the United States will be considered without regard to citizenship/alienage. We are an e-Verify Employer.

BENEFITS

We offer a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and AD&D insurance; short-term and long-term disability; accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness plans; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); 401(k)/ESOP; paid holidays; 160 hours of PTO annually; half-day Fridays; and the option to work remotely one (1) day per week.

Thank you for your interest in GF! We look forward to reviewing your information.