Project Manager (Architecture Studio)

Otak is looking for a design-minded, proactive, relationship-driven Project Manager to join our Architecture Studio in our Portland, OR office.

Join our dynamic Architecture Studio to lead projects that transform ideas into thoughtful, enduring places that strengthen communities and elevate the built environment. You will guide multifamily housing, mixed-use, public and community-focused, and renovation projects through design and construction, helping teams translate ambitious ideas into coordinated, buildable solutions that balance creativity, technical rigor, sustainability, and lasting value.

You will create the conditions for strong design and successful delivery by connecting people, decisions, resources, and priorities around a shared vision. Working with clients and multidisciplinary teams, you will bring clarity to complex work, build momentum through collaboration, and balance design excellence with scope, schedule, fee, quality, and client expectations. This role calls for an architectural leader who anticipates needs, communicates directly, exercises sound judgment, and takes ownership of outcomes.

At Otak, we create places that strengthen communities and enrich everyday life. Our architects, urban designers, planners, engineers, and construction management professionals work together to deliver thoughtful, sustainable solutions. Our design philosophy is grounded in today's needs while anticipating the opportunities of tomorrow. For more than 40 years, our multidisciplinary approach has helped clients transform ideas into projects that create lasting value for the people and communities they serve.

How You'll Contribute:

• Lead small to mid-size, moderately complex architectural projects through design, documentation, permitting, construction administration, and closeout.
• Define and manage project goals, scope, schedule, fee, milestones, staffing, resources, and risks; establish clear work plans, decision tracking, coordination, financial reviews, and QA/QC checkpoints.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact, clarifying priorities and decisions while communicating project status, schedule, fee, risks, and required actions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate consultants, contractors, agencies, and client stakeholders to support timely decisions and integrated solutions.
• Partner with Project Architects, designers, and technical leaders to explore design possibilities, resolve challenges, maintain design intent, and deliver coordinated, buildable work.
• Delegate responsibilities, set clear expectations, provide timely feedback, and reinforce accountability, mentorship, and team growth.
• Integrate quality into daily project execution through self-checks, peer and milestone reviews, and clear ownership of deliverables; ensure work aligns with Otak’s quality and professional practice standards.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, billing, profitability, and scope changes, using project data to guide staffing and delivery decisions.
• Lead meetings, presentations, and difficult conversations with clarity, professionalism, and respect.
• Lead proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates, interviews, and business development activities while identifying opportunities for additional services, repeat work, and long-term client relationships.
• Champion sustainable, resilient, and community-centered design strategies that enhance the human experience and create lasting value.
  

The Strengths You Bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program and professional architectural registration required.
• 10+ years of progressive architectural and project management experience, including independent leadership of small to mid-size or moderately complex projects through design and construction.
• Demonstrated ownership, initiative, sound judgement, and timely decision-making as project conditions change.
• Clear, direct, client-ready communication and a collaborative leadership style that establishes accountability, navigates conflict, and develops emerging professionals.
• Strong architectural judgment and knowledge of design processes, building systems, codes, accessibility, life safety, permitting, specifications, constructability, and construction administration.
• Knowledge of sustainable and integrated design principles and the ability to balance performance, constructability, project goals, and long-term value.
• Strong client relationship skills, including the ability to understand priorities, build trust, guide decisions, manage relationship risks, and recognize opportunities for additional or repeat work.
• Working knowledge of BIM, project delivery methods, and digital workflows; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, and project management and financial systems such as Deltek Vantagepoint.
• Public-sector, multifamily housing, mixed-use, federal, adaptive reuse, or renovation experience preferred. PMP, LEED, CDT, or similar credentials are a plus.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and work location as well as market and business considerations.

Salary Range: $94,400 - $132,200 per year

Benefits

At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.

Why work at Otak?

We’re not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren’t just joining a firm — you’re joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don’t just believe in cultivating our own community; we’re also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we’re committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we’re expanding — and we’re dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

Equal Opportunity

At Otak, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful for all. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our work environment, fuel innovation, and are essential to our collective success.

We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. Every individual at Otak is valued, included, and treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We strive to ensure that our practices uphold fairness and equity at every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Our Vision for an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating an environment where:

• Diverse identities are embraced, and differences are valued as a source of strength.
• Every employee feels safe to be their authentic self and contributes meaningfully.
• Unique perspectives are encouraged, and open dialogue is welcomed to foster innovation.
• Curiosity replaces judgment, and respectful engagement is prioritized in all interactions.
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect, forming the foundation of our workplace culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, including pregnant employees, to ensure an accessible and supportive work environment. If you require assistance or accommodations during the application process or in the workplace, please contact Otak’s People Services Department at GRPHumanResources@Otak.com.

Join us in shaping a more inclusive future!