Landscape Project Manager

About the Company

Founded in 1979 with just two people, a pickup truck, and a passion for working outdoors, this is a thriving and well-respected estate landscape firm that has grown over 45 years into a team of dedicated professionals. The crew is the heart of everything they do. From field technicians to project managers, each team member brings skill, dedication, and pride to every property they maintain and every landscape they build. Exceptional service starts with exceptional people, which is why they invest in hiring, training, and retaining the best in the industry. Many crew members have been with the firm for years, a reflection of a strong team culture and a shared passion for excellence.

Role Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all non-maintenance projects across the San Francisco Bay Area, ranging from complex residential/estate landscape enhancements to large-scale ($2–5MM) installations. This role ensures that every project is delivered safely, on time, and exceeds quality standards while hitting strict profitability targets. The Project Manager bridges the gap between sales and field production, overseeing project lifecycles from pre-construction through final punch-list and close-out.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategic Oversight

• Operational Direction: Manage the overall workflow of the Construction Division, including labor forecasting and high-level equipment scheduling.
• Mentorship: Provide direct leadership and technical coaching to Foremen and crews in coordination with the Operations Manager.
• Culture: Foster a culture that prioritizes efficiency and accountability without sacrificing quality or safety.
• Issue Resolution: Field issues, subcontractor conflicts, and technical installation challenges resolve quickly with the PM as the main point of escalation.

2. Project Management & Quality Control

• Lifecycle Management: Multiple concurrent projects move through planning, resource allocation, and execution without principal escalation.
• Site Inspections: Conduct frequent, unannounced site walkthroughs to audit installation quality and progress against the schedule so problems surface before they reach the office.
• Change Order Management: Identify and ensure all field changes are documented, priced, and approved by the client before work proceeds.
• Vendor & Subcontractor Management: Prequalify and manage third-party subcontractors to ensure their work integrates seamlessly.

3. Pre-Construction & Financial Management

• Estimate Review: Collaborate with the sales team/estimators to review project bids, ensuring labor hours, material costs, and constructibility are realistic for field execution. Provide feedback for continuous improvement of the bidding process.
• Budget Accountability: Job costs stay inside target through weekly review; labor overages and material waste are caught and corrected before they reach the principal.
• Procurement Strategy: Approve major material purchases and negotiate with vendors for bulk pricing on stone, plants, and irrigation supplies.
• Lead-Time Forecasting: Identify lead-time issues and forecast material/equipment ordering so crews never wait on materials.
• Administrative Approval: Review and authorize subcontractor invoices and division payroll.
• Monthly Billings: Review and approve monthly project billings; coordinate with the accounting team for billing distribution.

4. Safety & Compliance

• IIPP Implementation: Enforce all aspects of the company Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
• Hazard Assessment: Ensure Foremen conduct daily site-specific hazard assessments, particularly for heavy equipment operation, trenching, and utility locating.
• Incident Investigation: Lead the investigation and reporting of any job-site accidents or near misses in accordance with Cal/OSHA requirements.

5. Client & Partner Relations

• Communication: Maintain high-level contact with high-net-worth homeowners, architects, landscape architects, designers, general contractors, and developers to ensure the company is viewed as a premier partner.
• Sales-Field Bridging: Translate what sales promised the client into what gets built. Provide critical intel and feedback from the field to the sales team.
• Project Close-out: Ensure all projects conclude with a professional walkthrough, a completed punch-list, and the delivery of irrigation plans to the client.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in landscape construction (10–20 preferred), with at least 2-3 years in a senior management role overseeing multiple crews and high-dollar projects.
• Technical Mastery: Deep knowledge of hardscape construction (pavers, walls), complex irrigation systems, drainage/grading, and horticultural best practices.
• Construction Drawing Fluency: Understand civil, landscape, and architectural plans and identifies constructibility issues before framing.
• Digital Literacy: High proficiency in project management software for design, renderings, and estimating (Procore, Bluebeam, CAD, Plan Swift, Sage Master Builder) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Licenses: Valid Driver’s License and clean MVR for insurance purposes. C-27 Landscape Contractor license or CLP (Certified Landscape Professional) is a plus.
• Language: Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to navigate active construction sites, including climbing ladders and traversing uneven terrain.
• Comfort with outdoor work in extreme temperatures and dusty environments. Project managers are expected to work alongside the crew when the project calls for it.
• Travel between multiple job sites throughout the region is required.
• Ability to lift, carry, pull at least 50 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base: $41.00– $67.50 / hour DOE
• Bonus: Discretionary annual performance bonus up to 10% of base.
• Vehicle: Choice of company truck OR personal vehicle with $600/month allowance + $800/month gas allowance.
• Insurance: Health, dental, and vision.
• Phone & Tools: As appropriate.
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Company Holidays