Project Manager - Higher Education

Company: Harley Ellis Devereaux
Location: San Diego
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Project Manager - Higher Education Sector - San Diego, California ABOUT HED: We are a team that is full of ideas, experience, creativity, passionate opinions, insatiable curiosity, uncompromising integrity, commitment, and skill. Our culture is about aspiration, embracing change and challenges, listening and learning from each other, encouraging continual learning, and inspiring collective growth. As an inclusive, integrated architecture and engineering practice, we value the diversity of perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise that advance both the work we do, and the world we share. PRIMARY FUNCTION: Our Higher Education sector is looking to add an experienced team member to our group of talented Project Managers. The candidate should have broad expertise, with a focus on Higher Education, and be enthused about joining HED’s shared commitment to Advancing Your World through Critical Thinking, Integrated Practice, and Design Excellence. You will get to utilize your expertise in large-scale institutional / higher education projects with complex team structures. This position is open to individuals located near our office in San Diego, California. TYPICAL DUTIES Project Managers at HED are responsible for leading teams in all aspects of our professional services while maintaining liaison between the project team, client, consultants, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction over the project. The Project Manager works in collaboration with the Principal-in-Charge and the Project Architect/Engineer to create and deliver Positive Impact for our clients, colleagues, and community. Fundamental to the PM role is spearheading the team’s efforts in achieving Design Excellence through establishing project Goals, defining and executing Strategies to achieve these, and tracking and capturing the Results. Project Managers lead and facilitate all project activities and processes from the initial marketing effort (including participation in interviews and preparation of proposals) to scope refinement and planning, through the design, permit, bid and construction administration phases, and the post-construction evaluation. PMs manage day-to-day client relations and project activities, potentially on multiple projects at one time. Responsibilities include fee and contract negotiations and ongoing management, planning and schedule development and monitoring, project scope and financial management, coordination of quality reviews, and facilitation of workplans to determine staffing needs. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum ten years' professional experience in the A/E industry required. Experience with Higher Education projects in the U.S. required. Experience in managing complex high-rise, multiple stakeholder projects strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering required. Professional Licensure required. Experience in project financial and risk management is a must. LEED Accreditation preferred. Extensive knowledge of all aspects of professional A/E services from business development through project close-out, including design and technical expertise. Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills. Strong leadership and teamwork skills including the ability to lead, motivate, and work well with others in a design-focused environment. Proactive, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible. Strong business acumen. Strategic outlook, with an eye for detail. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Capable of traveling to and from project sites, both locally and across the US; attending client, project, and construction meetings. Ability to access existing and new project sites for observation, investigation, and evaluation purposes. Ability to use office equipment for communication and documentation purposes. Visual acuity to perform responsibilities. In compliance with all applicable or other employment requirements, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability and arrest and conviction records. LI-RS1

Keywords: Harley Ellis Devereaux, Calexico , Project Manager - Higher Education, Executive , San Diego, California