Architects FORA isn't your traditional architecture firm. We're an award-winning, 100% virtual, women-led team of experts who are passionate about increasing quality housing and strengthening our communities. From large multifamily developments to densifying single family zones, our focus is simple: tackling the housing crisis from all angles. We work with clients who share our belief that housing should be affordable, beautiful, sustainable, and secure, enriching the lives of residents and their neighborhoods. 

We practice with big goals and a rebellious spirit. Our team operates as a completely virtual practice and we're looking for collaborative, passionate, and solutions-minded professionals to join us. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow throughout all traditional phases of projects plus some not-so-traditional ones; we're breaking the mold and inventing new processes to offer unique value to our clients.

About the Role

For this role in particular, we’re looking for someone with approximately 5–10 years of experience who is ready to grow into, or already actively practicing, strong project management leadership. Licensure a plus but not required. This person should be highly organized, communicative, proactive, and comfortable helping move complex housing projects forward across multiple phases, stakeholders, and geographies. As a small firm, we wear a lot of hats, so this person should also enjoy rolling up their sleeves and digging into helping move the work forward alongside their team.

We’re especially interested in candidates who enjoy the connective fabric of practice: coordinating with clients and consultants, tracking deadlines and deliverables, supporting entitlement and permit processes, participating in construction administration, and helping translate big-picture goals into clear next steps for the team.

Because FORA works nationally and values intentional in-person relationship building, this role will require periodic travel within the United States for site visits, construction meetings, client/team coordination, and community engagement events. Candidates may live anywhere in the U.S. with reliable high-speed internet, but should be comfortable traveling as project needs arise, including occasional multi-day trips. The majority of our work is based in the Bay Area, California, with some projects in Southern California, Washington State (Whatcom County), and Colorado (Front Range).

The right person will bring a balance of professionalism and warmth: someone who can manage complexity without chaos, communicate clearly with our clients, consultants, contractors, and community, and help our projects stay aligned with FORA’s mission of creating vibrant, resilient, and equitable housing.

We expect to hire for this role at the Associate level, though we may consider a trial period toward Senior Associate in special circumstances based on demonstrated project management experience, leadership ability, technical depth, and alignment with FORA’s expectations for that role - see more details below.

What We Offer

Architects FORA believes in creating a high quality of living for its staff and does so through transparent, equitable, and collaborative business practices. We know how important flexibility, autonomy, and compassion are to our wellbeing and ability to perform at our best, so we intentionally designed our business to put those needs first.

FORA’s Quality of Life Commitments to Our Staff

While the following benefits are hard to quantify monetarily, we’ve found they’re extremely valuable given their impact on our health and happiness. We always offer:

• 100% remote work from anywhere with high-speed internet policy

• Set your own schedule (as long as you’re available for team & project meetings)

• 80 hrs/2 wks policy - work 80 hours whenever you’d like within a 2 week window

• Up to 8 hours per week time dedicated to pursuing a research/knowledge specialty you’re passionate about

• Intentional staffing to 40 hours max per week 

• Flexible “Life Happens” leave (paid and unpaid) and firm-wide mental health days 

• Meaningful, fun projects with great clients and supported by our communities

• Mutual mentorship - we educate one another and host learning sessions regularly

• Exposure to all areas of practice and business development

• A tech-forward, cloud-based setup with the latest tools, systems, and resources available to set you up for success

FORA’s Standard Benefits Package

Some of our more typical tangible benefits include

• 401k with 50% matching up to 6% of your salary

• QSEHRA contributions for health costs

• Dental and Vision

• Company credit cards

• Technology/Home Office Allowance (above and beyond company-provided equipment)

• Education allowance

• 1 Association covered

• Paid volunteer time

• 4 weeks/20 days Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Unlimited sick time

• 10 days Paid Holidays

• Paid parental leave

• Robust company-issued tech+ package

• AXP and Licensure support

FORA’s Equitable Salary Structure

Our salaries are simple, transparent, and reflective of our belief that everyone on our team is valuable in their own unique way. We offer 3 salary levels, aligned with or above AIA National Compensation averages, according to assumed risk and responsibility based on our firm’s leadership level structure. Salary increases are given equally to all employees according to annual cost of living inflation and company growth. 2026 salaries are:

/ Staff: $80k salary

// Associate: $95k salary

/// Senior Associate: $110k salary

We expect to hire for this role at the Associate level, with a 2026 salary of $95,000. In special circumstances, we may consider a candidate for a trial period toward Senior Associate, with advancement dependent on demonstrated performance, leadership, and alignment with FORA’s Senior Associate expectations.

FORA’s Bonuses

We know it takes everyone on the team doing their best for the firm to do its best, so everyone shares in the profits of our business to recognize our collective efforts. Bonuses are awarded in two ways: Success & Loyalty (overall share of profit adjusted based on years with FORA) and Performance (based on quarterly evaluations of your effort and growth). 2025 bonuses equaled more than 20% of base salary for the highest level of performance.

Role & Performance Expectations

The FORA Performance Scorecard, co-developed by the FORA team, is an objective tool that defines our minimum expectations of ourselves and provides a roadmap for how we can grow together. It clarifies expectations, builds transparency, and celebrates excellence at every level. Each category reflects a different dimension of what it means to thrive at FORA: how we deliver, learn, connect, collaborate, and lead. The following is a summary of the different attributes we evaluate in our staff:

Deliverables

The craft and reliability of our work, ensuring every product we create is clear, accurate, and exceptional.

• Timeliness – anticipates and meets deadlines with foresight and accountability

• Accuracy – ensures precision, completeness, and quality control in all work

• Quality – delivers clear, polished, and standard-setting work

• Communication – conveys ideas clearly, confidently, and professionally

• Ownership – takes full responsibility for work and outcomes

Expertise (Specialty)

The curiosity and expertise that make FORA smarter, deeper, and more impactful.

• Expertise – continually builds and applies subject-matter knowledge

• Team – shares learning and fosters cross-pollination of specialties

• Reputation – builds credibility through teaching, writing, and visibility

• Passion – brings enthusiasm and inspiration to learning and discovery

• Impact – turns expertise into measurable results for projects and the firm

Relationships

How we represent FORA in the world: with clarity, professionalism, and authenticity.

• Professionalism – represents FORA confidently and with integrity to all 4Cs (clients, consultants, contractors, & community)

• Clarity – communicates with accuracy, responsiveness, and empathy

• Community – engages with local and industry networks to strengthen connection

• Values – consistently embodies FORA’s four guiding principles

• Longevity – builds lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with our 4Cs

Culture

How we show up for one another, creating trust, joy, and shared purpose inside the firm.

• Team – builds trust and joy through collaboration

• Empowerment – elevates others to do their best work

• Mission – advances FORA’s purpose in housing and equity

• Integrity – acts with honesty, ethics, and transparency

• Responsibility – stewards time, finances, and firm resources wisely

Overall Skills

The habits, mindset, and leadership qualities that shape professional excellence and long-term growth.

• Depth – continually grows expertise and shares knowledge

• Improvement – embraces feedback and drives measurable growth

• Leadership – inspires confidence and guides others with clarity

• Ingenuity – applies creative, adaptive thinking to every challenge

• Value – contributes unique, irreplaceable impact to FORA’s success

How To Apply

Please use our custom form to upload (will be active 6/26/26-6/30/26) your letter of interest telling us what you're looking for and why you think this role is the right fit along with your CV/resume and a link to your online sample of work/portfolio.

In your letter of interest, we’d love to hear about your project management experience, how you approach communication and coordination, and what kinds of projects or responsibilities you’re hoping to grow into next.

Applicants must live in and be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. 

In order to efficiently process a large volume of applications, any incomplete submissions will be automatically disqualified without review of the materials.

Application Review Process:

Applications are accepted from Friday 6/26/26 through Tuesday 6/30/26 at 11:59 pm PST. Our team will review all submitted materials and narrow down to a shortlist of interview candidates. We will reach out by 7/10/26 to schedule interviews.

Interview Process:

1. July 13–17: 1st round of interviews: 30–45 minutes with the owners focused on values, culture, mission, communication style, project management approach, and goals alignment. Questions will be provided in advance.

2. By July 24: Notice to selected qualified candidate(s) with invitation for second interview.

3. July 28–August 1: 2nd interview(s): 1–1.5 hours with firm leaders focused on project management experience, technical knowledge, construction administration experience, consultant coordination, community engagement, and leadership potential.

4. By August 7: Offer extended to selected applicant via email with invitation to review together.

5. Week of August 11: Follow-up meeting to discuss, confirm, and coordinate next steps.

6. Position made available immediately upon acceptance, with start date to be mutually coordinated.

Questions? Reach out to us at careers@architectsfora.com.