Project Lead Jobs in Richmond, VA

Serving as a key architectural leader within Real Estate Services, this role provides professional expertise that bridges healthcare facility planning, design strategy, and enterprise real estate objectives. Positioned at the intersection of clinical operations, capital planning, and architectural execution, the role ensures that facility investments are planned, data‑informed, and aligned with long‑term organizational priorities.

The Architectural Project Manager – Real Estate provides architectural planning and design leadership for healthcare real estate and capital projects across VCU Health. The role applies professional architectural expertise to space programming, occupancy planning, and data‑driven facility strategies that support clinical and operational needs. Acting as a liaison between stakeholders, design teams, and internal partners, the position ensures alignment with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and design intent. The role also supports process optimization and planning tools to enhance efficiency and decision‑making across planning and project delivery.

Essential Job Statements

Strategic Facility & Real Estate Planning

• Aligns facility planning initiatives with organizational growth objectives, clinical service expansion, and long-range capital planning.

• Supports development of facility master plans through architectural planning, space programming, feasibility studies, site selection, and space utilization analysis.

• Develops real estate strategies to support acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolio optimization in collaboration with senior leadership and stakeholders.

Architectural Planning & Design Oversight

• Leads architectural planning and space programming efforts, including development of space requirements, adjacency studies, and functional design criteria to guide project planning and execution.

• Oversees schematic design, design development, and construction documentation phases to ensure alignment with operational, clinical, and regulatory requirements.

• Provides architectural administrative oversight during construction, including review of RFIs, submittals, and field conditions to ensure adherence to design intent, quality standards, and project requirements.

Capital Project Management

• Leads capital projects from concept through completion, including renovations, expansions, and new construction, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, schedule, and quality.

• Coordinates multidisciplinary teams including architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, supply chain, and internal stakeholders.

• Manages procurement processes for professional services, including RFP/RFB development, vendor selection, and contract coordination.

Systems, Analytics & Process Improvement

• Leads the implementation, optimization, and ongoing use of Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) to enhance project tracking, reporting, and data integration across planning, design, and construction activities.

• Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and standardized documentation to support continuous process improvement and operational efficiency.

• Utilizes predictive analytics, historical trends, and performance metrics to inform space utilization strategies, capital planning, demand forecasting, and real estate decision-making.

Financial & Performance Oversight

• Prepares and manages project budgets, financial forecasts, and workday/strata documentation.

• Evaluates cost-saving opportunities, return on investment, and develops SBARs to justify scope or budget variances.

• Supports capital planning and prioritization through data-driven analysis and performance reporting.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensures all projects comply with applicable healthcare codes and regulations (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, FGI, ADA, OSHA).

• Oversees environmental, safety, and operational risk considerations throughout planning, design, and construction phases.

• Ensures adherence to organizational policies, governance processes, and Board approval requirements where applicable.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Support

• Serves as a liaison between clinical leadership, administration, real estate, facilities, and external partners.

• Develops and delivers reports, analyses, and presentations for senior leadership and governance bodies.

• Builds strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful project delivery.

Team Development & Continuous Improvement

• Mentors and supports team members, promotes standardized processes, and contributes to continuous improvement of departmental procedures, tools, and project delivery outcomes.

• Supports knowledge sharing, documentation consistency, and adoption of best practices across the real estate planning and project management functions.

Patient Population

Not applicable to this position.

Employment Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Construction Management from accredited institution and at least five years' experience in collaboration with administrative leadership and team or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Architecture or Construction Management, or closely related field.

Licensure/Certification Required: N/A

Licensure/Certification Preferred: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience

3+ years of experience in architectural planning, design coordination, or construction project support, with demonstrated application of architectural principles in the built environment.

Years and Type of Preferred Experience

Experience in healthcare facility planning, real estate development, or capital project delivery within complex institutional environments.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Strong knowledge of architectural design principles, space planning, and building systems, with an understanding of applicable building codes, healthcare regulations, and design compliance requirements.

Ability to interpret architectural drawings, specifications, and technical documents, and coordinate effectively with architects, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams.

Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate design alternatives and support architectural planning and design decisions.

Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey architectural concepts and planning strategies to stakeholders and leadership. Proficiency in planning, design coordination, and project documentation processes.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

Ability to work across diverse groups, both internal and external, to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, property owners, consultants, attorneys, etc.

Experience working collaboratively with interdepartmental teams.

Ability to develop and compare acquisition/lease budgets to provide high level, accurate data related to transaction costs.

Adept in creating innovative real estate strategies to increase revenue enhancing opportunities that are in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters.

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.

Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

May have periods of constant interruptions.

Prolonged periods of working alone.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.)

Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Physical Requirements:

Hazards:

Mental/Sensory – Emotional

Mental / Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast-paced environment, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran