Construction Project Manager

Location: Chicago, IL
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Construction Project Manager to support the execution of EPC, Construction Management, Construction, and Program Management projects in the Chicago area. This position will oversee construction activities from pre-construction and planning through project completion, turnover, and warranty.

The Construction Project Manager will be responsible for safety, quality, scheduling, cost control, subcontractor management, contracts, procurement, field operations, documentation, and client relationships. The ideal candidate will have significant construction project management experience and a strong understanding of field operations, labor management, and project controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day construction activities and the successful execution of one or multiple projects.

• Promote and manage project safety and health performance for employees, field personnel, and subcontractors.

• Participate in project planning, scheduling, estimating, budgeting, cost forecasting, and development of critical project objectives.

• Manage project performance related to safety, quality, schedule, cost, earned value, and field productivity.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and serve as a key point of contact for construction-related project matters.

• Support negotiation and administration of prime contracts, construction management agreements, subcontracts, and change orders.

• Participate in project risk reviews and coordinate with legal and management teams as necessary.

• Implement construction portions of the Project Execution Plan, including safety, quality, staffing, subcontracting, procurement, and construction execution plans.

• Develop project staffing plans and coordinate field personnel, craft supervision, subcontractors, and project support resources.

• Oversee site logistics, mobilization, demobilization, temporary facilities, and construction equipment requirements.

• Verify required construction permits, licenses, insurance, bonding, and other project requirements are maintained.

• Manage subcontractor procurement activities, including RFP development, bidder prequalification, bid evaluation, scope development, recommendations, and awards.

• Prepare and review project budgets, cash flow forecasts, cost reports, schedules, progress reports, and executive-level project updates.

• Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure construction-related engineering deliverables are issued in accordance with project schedules.

• Manage RFIs, submittals, change management, contract administration, claims mitigation, documentation, and closeout activities.

• Oversee subcontractor, contractor, and project invoicing processes.

• Coordinate construction activities with commissioning and startup teams.

• Perform and support project safety, quality, progress, cost, and financial audits.

• Manage non-conformance reporting and corrective action processes.

• Oversee project controls activities including cost reporting, scheduling, work breakdown structures, progress tracking, forecasting, and project closeout.

• Develop and manage material receiving, inventory control, storage, transportation, and materials management processes.

• Review contract documents and field activities to ensure subcontractor compliance with safety, quality, schedule, and contractual requirements.

• Review construction field reports and monitor overall project progress.

• Manage project turnover documentation, warranty administration, closeout, and record retention.

• Support communication with governmental agencies, industry organizations, building trades, and other project stakeholders.

• Manage relationships with building trades and assist with the development and implementation of project labor agreements as required.

• Manage craft staffing, classifications, labor burdens, benefits, crew rates, productivity, and applicable labor requirements.

• Estimate, forecast, and manage craft installation unit rates and labor/equipment costs.

• Maintain craft competency and training standards while identifying development and advancement opportunities.

• Manage construction equipment requirements and inventory to support project execution.

• Mentor and provide guidance to assistant project managers, construction coordinators, interns, field supervision, and other project personnel.

• Provide performance feedback and support the development of project team members.

• May be assigned to construction project sites based on project requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant construction project management experience.

• Applicable construction experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Demonstrated experience managing construction projects from planning and pre-construction through execution, turnover, and closeout.

• Experience with construction project sites and/or large-scale program management.

• Experience managing subcontractors, contracts, change orders, project costs, schedules, and field operations.

• Strong understanding of construction safety, quality, cost control, scheduling, and project controls.

• Experience with document control, scheduling, cost control, and project management software preferred.

• Experience within aviation, commercial, energy, government, manufacturing, oil & gas, industrial/process, transportation, transmission & distribution, or water infrastructure projects preferred.

• Working knowledge of construction labor, craft classifications, productivity, crew rates, and building trades is preferred.

• Basic understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced construction environment.

• Ability to travel to or work from project sites as required.

• Must be able to meet company driving requirements.