Botanical Gardens & Grounds Project Manager

Job Description

About the Role

The Botanical Gardens & Grounds Project Manager (PM) supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of landscape, infrastructure, and site improvement projects across The Huntington’s campus. Reporting to the Botanical Gardens and Grounds Senior Project Manager, this role works across the full project lifecycle—from early planning and concept development through design, permitting, construction, and closeout. The role includes substantial hands-on coordination during active construction phases, including contractor oversight, site observation, and quality control.

The Project Manager serves as a key implementation partner, translating institutional goals, planning priorities, and design intent into clear scopes, schedules, consultant coordination, and built outcomes. Working closely with cross-functional teams, external consultants, contractors, and stakeholders, the PM ensures projects are well-coordinated, technically sound, fiscally responsible, and aligned with The Huntington’s standards for design excellence, accessibility, sustainability, and long-term stewardship.

This role requires a high level of organization, judgment, and adaptability, with the ability to manage complexity, support decision-making in early project phases, and maintain continuity across all stages of project delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Duties

Project Development, Design, and Planning

Support feasibility analysis, pre-design planning, and early project development in collaboration with the Senior Project Manager and institutional stakeholders.

Assist in defining project goals, scopes, phasing strategies, schedules, and ROM budgets.

Coordinate concept and design development efforts with internal stakeholders and external consultants to advance projects from concept through permitting.

Identify early risks, constraints, and decision points related to site conditions, permitting, and budget.

Support preparation of RFPs/RFQs and consultant selection materials for planning and design phases.

Project Management, Construction, and Delivery

Manage project schedules, budgets, and scopes across design, construction, and closeout phases.

Provide day-to-day coordination of consultants, contractors, and internal teams during active design and construction phases.

Maintain continuity across all project phases, ensuring approved concepts and design intent are carried through construction and closeout.

Oversee construction administration activities, including submittals, RFIs, change orders, invoices, and punch lists.

Coordinate quality assurance, site observations, and compliance activities during construction.

Elevate key issues, risks, and decision points to the Senior Project Manager as projects advance.

Stakeholder, Contract, and Operational Coordination

Support contract negotiation and administration with consultants, vendors, and contractors.

Track and report on project budgets, including forecasting, invoicing, and cost projections.

Coordinate procurement, delivery, and installation of project materials and donor-funded elements.

Serve as the coordinating point of contact for internal and external teams on assigned projects.

Support stakeholder and donor engagement through briefing materials, site walk-throughs, and coordination with Advancement and Interpretation teams.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including schedules, correspondence, contracts, and construction records

May perform other related duties as assigned

Education and Experience

Candidate Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum 3 years of professional experience managing landscape or site projects from pre-design and concept development through construction and closeout. 5+ years preferred.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, priorities, and stakeholders across varying project phases.

Demonstrated front-end project management skills, including scope definition, preliminary budgeting, schedule development, risk identification, and comfort working in early or evolving project phases.

Experience coordinating interdisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders.

Knowledge of project delivery processes, including contract administration, RFIs, change orders, and budget tracking.

Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.

Familiarity with California state and local permitting processes, including public works permitting and CEQA.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including meeting facilitation and stakeholder coordination.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate and complete project documentation.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, PDF markup tools, and project management software platforms; experience with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

Software proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and PDF markup tools; proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite preferred

Experience working on projects in public gardens, educational campuses, cultural institutions, or mission-driven environments preferred.

Flexibility to work in the field and remotely as required.

Application Instructions

The Application Process

Visit us at https://huntington.org/careers to apply directly.

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.

You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.