The Director of Project Management is a leadership position created to assist in maintaining the quality & consistency of JLA's project management - at all phases of a project's lifecycle. To help meet this goal, the Director of Project Management's general responsibilities shall include:
Continual collaboration with JLA's Director of Architectural Operations to assist in evaluating, improving, implementing, and overseeing project management processes, initiatives, and standards.
Providing regular, structured support to all Project Managers in their work - encouraging a sound & consistent Project Management approach across the firm, evaluating how Projects are 'tracking' with workplan & schedule expectations, and proactively identifying project challenges & strategizing about potential solutions.
Serving as an 'interim' Project Manager for project pursuits or projects early in their lifecycle - before they are assigned to 'permanent' Project Managers.
The Director of Project Management will be a member of JLA's Operational Leadership Team - which currently includes the firm's President, the Director of Architectural Operations, the Director of Design, all Office Directors, the Director of Quality Control, the Director of Marketing, and the Director of Team Development. The Operational Leadership Team serves as an 'Advisory Team' for the firm's President as well as a collaborative peer group for which members operate under a model of 'Dynamic Subordination' to continually improve the way the firm operates.
The Director of Project Management will report to, and take general direction from, JLA's Director of Architectural Operations. This position will have a considerable amount of autonomy - expected to prioritize, coordinate, and execute their work with little direction. The Director of Project Management is expected to be highly collaborative - with substantial collaboration with the Operations Team and JLA's Project Managers.
Although this position shall have no 'direct reports', the Director of Project Management will be expected to effectively advise & support all JLA team members with varying levels of experience, knowledge, and skillsets - but will primarily be interacting with Project Managers.
Periodic travel to all JLA offices may be required. The expected workload would be between 43-45 hours per week. Although JLA offers 'work-mode' flexibility, it is expected that the Director of Project Management would regularly perform their responsibilities 'in person' with the potential for periodic remote work when appropriate.
Specific functions & responsibilities of the Director of Project Management include, but are not limited to, the following:
Administration & Operational Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the Director of Architectural Operations to evaluate & improve project management processes, initiatives, and standards.
Lead the Project Manager Influence Group - obtaining input & building consensus among Project Managers on issues related to Project Management processes, initiatives, and standards.
Create Projects on JLA's network and in JLA's Ajera platform.
Lead regular, structured 'check-ins' with all Project Managers to:
Provide general guidance, coaching, and advice to address project management, Client management, and team management issues - proactively collaborating to identify & solve potential challenges & promoting consistency between Project Managers.
Provide support & collaboration on their project Work Plans & Project Schedules;
Provide support & collaboration on their project Scope & Fee Agreements;
Provide support & collaboration on their Ajera project structure & coordination with Work Plans & Fee Agreements.
Track the on-going progress of their projects as it relates to Work Plan and Schedule expectations;
Track the scheduling/timeliness of formal QA/QC Reviews.
Monitor the Project Manager's and Project Team's usage of JLA standards, processes, and checklists;
Help to train & coach PMs to improve client management and internal team management.
Periodically 'audit' Project Team Meetings and Site Observations.
Participate in JLA's Team Scheduling Meetings to strategize about overall firm scheduling/workload and give input/insight about information learned in the regular Project Manager 'Check-Ins'.
Assist in the process of Project Manager transitions - switching the Project Manager of a Project.
Conceive & implement - with collaboration from others on the JLA Operational Leadership Team - a professional development 'track' for individuals that desire to evolve into a Project Manager role.
Assist in the 'onboarding' and training of new Project Managers.
Organically mentor less experienced Team Members in the architectural profession;
Collaborate with the JLA Operational Leadership Team as necessary to assist them in the evaluation & implementation of their various initiatives.
Periodically assist the JLA business development team and JLA marketing team with their respective efforts & initiatives as needed.
Perform other administrative & operational responsibilities as required or assigned.
Project Management Responsibilities:
Function as the Project Manager for projects early in their 'lifecycle' - until a 'permanent' Project Manager is identified & assigned to the project. This would include: