About the Job Title "Architectural Project Manager"

Architectural Project Manager Job Description

Architectural project managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the design and construction process of a building project. To become an architectural project manager, you will need to a bachelor’s degree in architecture. You will also need to complete a paid internship and pass the Architect Registration Examination. 

Architectural Project Manager Job Profiles: This is a general writeup based on our research into Architectural Project Manager positions in the Architect career area. For individual, real-life job profiles of actual people with this type of job, check out our job profiles page.

  • Career Field: Architect
  • Salary Range: $108979 - $170118

What's it like to be a Architectural Project Manager?

Duties and responsibilities

An architectural project manager oversee’s all aspects of the design and construction process of a building project. They monitor every step of the process, which includes anything from developing and reviewing building plans to making sure a project meets safety and environmental standards. Their typical duties and responsibilities include:

  • Developing, organizing and reviewing building plans
  • Preparing construction contracts for general contractors
  • Interviewing and hiring contractors for projects
  • Formulating cost estimates based on equipment, materials and labor requirements
  • Ensuring that construction projects meet environmental, safety, structural, zoning and aesthetic standards
  • Determining and scheduling different stages of the building process, in accordance to the client needs.
  • Monitoring the progress of the project and ascertain whether phases of the construction process are in compliance with building plans and project deadlines
  • After building completion, project managers may provide additional services for expansion and relocation projects

Qualifications

To become an architectural project manager, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in architecture. You will also need to complete a paid internship and to have passed the Architect Registration Examination. It may also be advisable to complete a masters degree and/or achieve voluntary certification to give yourself a greater change in a competitive environment with slow job growth.

Skills and relevant work experience

Architectural project managers receive extensive training, which teaches them all the key skills they need. Architectural project managers must also have skills such as:

  • Creativity, as architects are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the project are aesthetically pleasing, and must resolve any cosmetic issues if they arise
  • Organizational skills, as architectural project managers will need to keep on top of paperwork, contracts, arrange meetings with clients and delegate and manage contractors.
  • Leadership skills, as they are responsible for managing and directing other professionals involved in the project
  • Communication skills, as architectural project managers must share their ideas, both in written and verbal format, with clients, other architects, construction workers and all other professionals involved in the process
  • Analytical skills, as architectural project managers must understand complexed designs and the context in which they were created. Furthermore, they must be able to explain this to other people
  • Technical skills, as architectural project managers need to use CADD technology to create plans as part of building information modeling (BIM)
  • Visulization skills, as architectural project managers must be able to look at the big picture and envision how a building will look once completed

Hours

Architectural office managers will most likely split their time between office and field. They are likely to work full time hours. However, architects can expect to work additional hours when nearing project deadlines or if unforeseen circumstances and issues arise.

Salary

According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for an architectural project manager in the United States is $134,371. The lowest 10% earned less than $108,979 and the highest 10% earned over $170,118.

Progression

The employment of architects is expected to increase 1% from 2019 to 2029, which is slower than the average for all occupations. This is expected due to advancements in technology making architects more efficient and therefore increasing the demand for more. However, architectural project managers with masters degree, relevant work experience and voluntary certification are likely to have the most job opportunities. Architectural project managers can progress to working on larger projects. Or, to working for themselves.

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