Construction Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager
Company: Premier Developing Services, Inc. (PDS)
Location: Brea, CA
Reports To: Sr. Project Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About PDS
Premier Developing Services, Inc. is a commercial general contractor delivering industrial, cold storage, tilt-up, and tenant improvement projects across California and nationally. We work directly with national clients on ground-up and renovation projects from preconstruction through closeout.

Position Summary
PDS is seeking a Project Manager with 5–10 years of hands-on commercial construction experience to manage projects from award through closeout. This is a mid-level role, not an entry-level coordinator position, and not a senior/executive PM role. The ideal candidate has spent their career working directly for a general contractor (W-2, not as a subcontractor or sub-tier trade employee) and has developed working knowledge across multiple trades, enabling them to read plans, evaluate subcontractor proposals critically, and run a job site with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage commercial construction projects from contract award through closeout, including budget, schedule, quality, and subcontractor performance.
• Review, evaluate, and scope-check subcontractor bids and proposals across all trades (site work, concrete, structural steel, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, roofing, glazing, finishes, etc.) to confirm scope completeness and pricing reasonableness.
• Prepare and issue subcontracts, purchase orders, and change orders.
• Coordinate and lead subcontractor meetings, OAC meetings, and pre-installation meetings.
• Manage project schedules, identify critical path issues, and proactively resolve delays or conflicts between trades.
• Review, draft, and respond to RFIs, submittals, and submittal logs.
• Track project budgets, cost reports, and monthly billings/pay applications.
• Coordinate with estimating during project handoff/buyout to ensure scope, budget, and subcontractor list alignment.
• Ensure jobsite compliance with safety, permitting, and inspection requirements.
• Manage project closeout: punch lists, as-builts, O&M manuals, and warranty documentation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for owners, architects, and consultants during construction.
• Supervise and support assistant project managers, project engineers, or superintendents assigned to the project.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10 years of project management experience with a commercial general contractor, held as a W-2 employee of the GC (not subcontractor side experience).
• Working knowledge of multiple construction trades sufficient to read scope language, identify gaps or exclusions, and evaluate bid proposals, does not need to be a trade expert, but must be conversant across civil, structural, MEP, and finish trades.
• Demonstrated experience managing subcontractors directly issuing scope, negotiating buyout, tracking performance, and resolving field coordination issues.
• Proficiency with project management software (Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, or similar) and Microsoft Office/Excel.
• Strong understanding of commercial construction contracts, AIA documents, and change order processes.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications across all disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable leading meetings and coordinating between owner, design team, and subcontractors.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to job sites as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with industrial, tilt-up, cold storage, or tenant improvement projects.
• OSHA 30 certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent field experience).

What This Role Is Not

• Not an entry-level Assistant PM or PE role.
• Not a Senior PM / Director level role overseeing multiple PMs or a portfolio of projects.
• Not suited to candidates whose primary experience is as a subcontractor, trade contractor employee, or self-performing contractor.