July 10, 2023

Project Lead

GMB is hiring a Project Lead to join our team of teams. Our ideal candidate has a passion for educational design and the ability to effectively organize and optimize each team member’s contributions toward positive project outcomes – both for our teams and our clients. This role provides a unique opportunity to foster avenues for communication, creativity, and fun while promoting a culture of trust, knowledge sharing, mentorship, growth, and learning.

At GMB we believe that effective project teams are fundamental to success. Teams that have good project leadership create an environment where people are fully engaged, informed, empowered, challenged, and mentored. Does this resonate with you? Read on!

Why work for us?
This is the part where most job descriptions jump into the responsibilities and requirements for the role being posted – and we’ll get there shortly! But we like to start with the why instead of the what.

Our purpose is to help build strong communities through educational opportunities. We focus on projects within the educational ecosystem, from Pre-K through Higher Education, and spaces in our community that support lifelong learning. Our team of educational planners, architects, and engineers get to work on a wide range of project types for a diverse set of clients, and we’re proud of the impact that our work has on the lives and trajectories of students throughout the Midwest. Will you join us?

What you will get to do:
* Facilitate a consistent and positive project experience for both GMB’s clients and Design team members for a variety of projects in K-12 and Higher Education Markets
* Capitalize on potential project opportunities and write project proposals
* Serve as the client liaison, meeting with key stakeholders to understand project scope and goals.
* Provide client advocacy to assist in developing the unknown scope
* Collaborate with our marketing team on a response to RFP opportunities
* Participate in strategy meetings for future projects
* Coordinate and execute contracts appropriate for the selected delivery method
* Manage multiple projects of different scales and types within our multidisciplinary offerings through the design process, from initiation to closeout.
* Champion client interaction and decision-making and keep the project team informed
* Lead the team in identifying needed project roles and tasks, enable each team member to have ownership, and help identify roadblocks and solutions
* Establish project schedules appropriate for the scope of work
* Responsible for project budget awareness and holding the team accountable to it
* Focus on quality in all aspects of the work, from initial presentations through design, documentation, and delivery of architectural and engineering services
* Coordinate and write front-end specifications
* Execute the project vision and communicate with clients throughout the entirety of the project
* Facilitate Construction Administration paperwork
* Engage consultants necessary to complete projects
* Responsible to facilitate permitting and plan review activities with the team
* Care for projects after completion and enrich client relationships Foster avenues for communication, creativity, and fun while promoting a culture of trust, knowledge sharing, mentorship, growth, and learning.
* Actively participate in an internal PM/PL Team to develop and implement strategies, tools, and best practices for client leadership, project quality, organization and to promote a culture of teamwork, communication, and feedback.

What type of knowledge do I need to succeed in this role?
More than a specific degree and exact number of years of experience, we’re most excited about what kind of knowledge you bring! For this role, we are seeking someone with wide-ranging experience who uses professional concepts to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Some components that may help indicate you are at this knowledge milestone include more tangible items like:
* Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or from an accredited college/university.
* 8+ years of experience in an A/E firm or an AEC-related industry.
* Experience with the K-12 and Higher Education markets.
* Demonstrated leadership credentials.
* Excellent organization, communication, and planning skills.
* Proficiency in understanding construction documents, specifications, and graphic presentations.
* Practiced understanding of overall project financials including design and construction activities.

What might set you apart from other candidates?
* Practiced understanding of overall project financials including design and construction activities.
* A drive to push the boundary for innovative and effective design and business solutions.
* Experience with educational funding sources.
* Professional registration.
* Interest in exploring opportunities in new business service offerings.
* Experience leading full-service AE Teams, including Architecture, Interior Design, MEP, Civil, and Structural.

We might be a great match for each other if you are:
* A self-starter with great time management who thrives in an environment with cross-discipline collaboration and team-level decision making.
* An individual who contributes beyond themselves, is motivated by their team’s success , and works hard to ensure it.
* Enjoys trying new ideas, failing fast, and constantly improving.

What you might also like to know:

We’re an employee-owned company. This means that 100% of the ownership at GMB is held by us as employees. Our creativity, skills, and expertise have a direct impact on our value and growth. Your role as a teammate will have a direct impact on the company’s actions and result in a share in its profits.

GMB doesn’t operate within a hierarchical pyramid structure; instead, we operate like a network of teams that come together around specific goals working toward our overarching purpose. We think this is a better way to work and help everyone reach their potential.
Finally, at GMB we embrace a flexible workplace that empowers each person to decide where and how they work best. Our inclusive, people-first culture encourages teams to collaborate, communicate and find fulfillment personally and professionally, regardless of location or schedule.

This is a direct-hire, full-time position.  Salary will be commensurate with experience, including an excellent benefits package. Must have current and continuing right to work in the United States without sponsorship. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Please send any materials to rosew@gmb.com, as well as hr@gmb.com