Project Manager II - K12 - Perkins Eastman

Life at PE

Perkins Eastman is a global planning and design firm with expertise that covers all aspects of the built environment. With studios in 25 locations globally, we design for people, to enhance the human experience and leave a lasting and positive impact on people’s lives and the world we inhabit.

Perkins Eastman embodies a highly collaborative, team-focused culture. We are a design-oriented, convergent firm in which our professional roster consists of architects, interior designers, planners, urban designers, graphic designers, construction administration specialists and several other professional disciplines.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Project Manager with a passion for K-12 educational facility planning and the drive to make a meaningful impact in K-12 education organizations. This individual will work on our K-12 Strategies team to manage a variety of educational facility projects nationwide, from long-term capital planning to space utilization and strategic improvement projects. The ideal candidate will have experience working within K-12 environments, managing complex projects that shape the future of educational spaces.

As a Project Manager, you will play a critical role in guiding projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with district goals and priorities. You will be supported by a collaborative project management team and will bring strong organizational and leadership skills to deliver high-quality results for our clients.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage Client Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts and stakeholders by delivering consistent, high-quality service and serving as a reliable point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Project Leadership: Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of K-12 educational facilities consulting projects, managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, including junior staff and external consultants, to drive project success. Provide mentorship and guidance to build team capacity.
• Client Presentations & Meetings: Lead and present at client meetings, consultant team sessions, and community engagement forums, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals and progress.
• Business Development: Contribute to business development by preparing proposals, participating in interviews, and identifying new consulting opportunities within the K-12 education space.
• Budget & Financial Oversight: Manage project budgets, invoicing, and consultant billing in collaboration with the accounting team to ensure financial accountability.
• Contract Management: Review and administer project contracts, ensuring compliance and addressing any legal or procedural issues in collaboration with support teams.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Address complex facility planning and operational challenges by applying creative and data-driven solutions that align with client goals and industry best practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate community input processes and work closely with school district leaders to ensure that project outcomes reflect educational priorities and community needs.
• Project Reporting: Provide regular updates and reports to clients, school boards, and other stakeholders, summarizing project progress, budget status, and key milestones.
• Continuous Improvement: Develop and refine tools and processes that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of educational facility planning, applying lessons learned from completed projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project management, with an emphasis on K-12 educational facilities or related environments.
• PMP or similar project management certification preferred.
• Strong background in facility planning, including space utilization, long-term planning, and capital improvement projects.
• Experience working with K-12 school systems or on district-wide facility planning projects preferred.
• Familiarity with finance and accounting principles, including budgeting, invoicing, and cost control for large-scale projects.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana) and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for tracking project progress, reporting, and collaboration.
• Availability and flexibility to travel as needed for client meetings, site visits, and community engagement events.

Additional Qualifications

• Communication: Engages, listens, and communicates clearly and effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders in oral, written, and public speaking formats.
• Initiative: Self-motivated in owning, managing, and advancing workstreams and responsibilities independently.
• Organization: Proactive with excellent planning and time management skills, able to prioritize multiple high-impact initiatives and tasks.
• Responsiveness: Client-focused with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality service and outcomes.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic environment, quickly adjusting to new information, changing circumstances, and evolving project needs while maintaining a focus on goals.
• Resourcefulness: Uses strategic and creative problem-solving to navigate shifting priorities and find innovative solutions.
• Teamwork: Enhances team effectiveness through collaboration, continuous learning, mutual support, and by managing both laterally and upwards.

Type: Hybrid. 3 days in office 2 days working remotely, flexible days/working hours

What we offer you:

• Robust medical, dental and vision coverage
• 401k Options
• Life Insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Professional Development
• Competitive salary

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographical work location.

Salary Range: $100k to $120k

Perkins Eastman is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and a participant in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.