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Project Manager

Skidmore Owings & Merrill · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Jun 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through a building project you managed from schematic design through construction administration. Where did the schedule actually slip, and what did you do about it?

What they are checking: Whether they have truly carried a project across phases or only managed one slice of it.

SOM projects bring architecture, structure and MEP together under one roof. How have you kept interdisciplinary teams coordinated when their deadlines pull against each other?

What they are checking: Whether they can run integration across disciplines rather than passing drawings back and forth.

Tell me about a time a consultant missed a deliverable that your whole team depended on. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they hold outside parties accountable without burning a relationship the project still needs.

Describe how you've managed staffing on a project when the design team was stretched across several deadlines.

What they are checking: Whether they plan people and hours ahead instead of relying on overtime to rescue the schedule.

What's the hardest client you've managed, and what did you learn about running projects from that experience?

What they are checking: Self-awareness and whether they turn difficult relationships into better habits rather than blame.

What would you do

A client asks for a major design change late in design development. How do you handle the conversation about fee and schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect the firm's fee while keeping the client relationship warm and honest.

How do you decide what goes in a monthly client report versus what you handle quietly inside the team?

What they are checking: Judgment about transparency with clients, and knowing which risks the client must hear about now.

The design lead wants another round of studies, but you're already over the hours budgeted for this phase. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance design ambition against fee reality while respecting the designer's authority.

About the work

How do you build and track a fee budget on a large architecture project so you know you're in trouble before the design team does?

What they are checking: Whether they manage fees with real numbers and early warning signs, not by gut feel at the end.

What's your approach to contracts and additional services? How do you spot scope creep in the middle of a busy design phase?

What they are checking: Whether they know the contract well enough to recognize unpaid work while it is happening.

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The full job description

As published by Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things. Success at SOM Means • Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. • Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge. • Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work. • Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm. • Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential. • Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work. Position Responsibilities • Leads the Architectural Project Team through close collaboration with SOM Partners project leadership to achieve design, technical and financial success. • Prepares, with Leadership input, quality agreements with clients including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and professional service agreements. Executes additional service agreements and gains authorization by phase. • Collaborates with Partners and senior team to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans to align project goals including budget, deliverables and schedule. Gains agreement with the senior team for labor allocation. Chairs weekly team meetings to address variances from the project plan. • Administers internal control procedures with Project Accountant including billing, collections, percent complete, expense management, and year-end activities. Analyzes project reports and proactively manages the profitability of a project. • Participates actively in project design and technical discussions and decision making. • Communicates actively through chairing weekly meetings, issuing meeting minutes, accurate project record keeping and sharing project information and correspondence. • Assists in Managing the owner/client relationship and expectations to allow SOM and team to work effectively, efficiently and collaboratively. • Participated in new business and marketing efforts including responses to marketing requests and maintenance of firm relationships. • Initiates, monitors and maintains project schedule and work plan including schedule of meetings and presentations. • Schedules and leads internal team weekly project meetings; develops the meeting agenda and project status update. • Initiates, monitors and maintains project plan and financial performance of project. • Initiates and maintains SOM-Client Services Agreement, SOM Sub-Consultant Agreements and requests for additional services • Monitors scope for contract compliance and potential additional services. • Actively engages in project risk management through close collaboration with SOM Partners and legal group. • Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff. Leadership Responsibilities • Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential. • Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development. • Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews. • In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule. • Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities. • Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge. • Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures. • Protects SOM from financial and legal risk. Minimum Qualifications • Professional degree in Architecture. • Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred. • Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. • Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget and program. • Domestic project experience with multiple completed and constructed projects; as the project manager has taken the projects through the Design and Construction Delivery process. • Demonstrated functional expertise in Higher-Ed/Science, Large Scale Mixed-Use, Aviation or Sports. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems. • Understands and is conversant in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite and Google Workspace. • Familiarity with Deltek Vision, Salesforce. Our Benefits Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $78,000 to $95,000. Our Culture Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy For more about SOM: www.som.com Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.

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