Project Manager -- Residential Construction
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Employment Type: Full Time
Compensation: $70,000 $95,000 based on experience and capability, with growth tied to performance
Why This Role Is Different
This is not a traditional project management role.
We are looking for someone who can take ownership of complex residential projects and keep them moving forward even when things are unclear or changing.
At Harry Braswell Design+Build, no two projects are the same. You will be responsible for coordinating people, timelines, and decisions across projects that evolve over weeks and months.
This is a role for someone who thinks ahead, solves problems, and takes ownership.
What You Will Be Accountable For
You will manage projects that unfold over weeks and months, requiring you to:
- Plan and coordinate multiple phases of residential construction projects
- Anticipate issues before they impact schedule or cost
- Keep clients, subcontractors, and internal team aligned and informed
- Manage shifting priorities as new information emerges
- Maintain organization across budgets, schedules, materials, and decisions
- Drive projects forward even when conditions are unclear or changing
A Typical Week Might Include
- Reviewing project timelines and adjusting upcoming schedules
- Coordinating subcontractors scheduled two to three weeks out
- Communicating with clients about progress, decisions, or changes
- Ordering materials and confirming deliveries
- Visiting job sites to monitor progress and solve problems
- Updating budgets, tracking costs, and documenting changes
Problems You Will Solve
This is not a checklist role. You will be expected to:
- Take initiative to identify next steps even when direction is not fully defined
- Adjust plans when unexpected issues arise inside existing homes
- Coordinate subcontractors who are scheduled weeks in advance
- Navigate client decisions that impact timelines and budgets
- Balance quality, cost, and timing across multiple projects
What Makes This Role Challenging
- Every project is different and there is no perfect system to follow
- You will often be working with incomplete information
- Priorities shift as projects evolve
- You will need to make decisions without having all the answers
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
We care more about how you think and operate than your resume. We are looking for someone who naturally:
- Is highly organized and detail oriented
- Communicates clearly and proactively
- Thinks ahead and plans work before it becomes urgent
- Takes ownership and follows through without being chased
- Is comfortable making decisions and guiding others
- Enjoys solving new problems rather than repeating the same task
You Will Likely Succeed If You Naturally
- Keep your own systems for staying organized lists, spreadsheets, or calendars
- Think ahead and plan work before it becomes urgent
- Take ownership of problems instead of waiting for direction
- Follow up consistently without being reminded
- Are comfortable having direct and honest conversations with clients and team members
Backgrounds That Could Be a Fit
You may come from:
- Residential construction, such as carpentry or superintendent roles
- Interior design or architecture
- Project coordination in a related field
- Any role where you have managed complex, multi-step work over time
If you have strong organizational and problem-solving ability, we can teach you the rest.
If you are earlier in your project management career but have the traits above, we still encourage you to apply.
What Success Looks Like
- Projects stay organized and on track
- Clients feel informed and confident throughout the process
- Subcontractors know what is expected and when
- Problems are identified early and handled proactively
This Role Is Not For You If
- You prefer clear instructions for every task
- You struggle to stay organized across multiple priorities
- You avoid difficult conversations with clients or team members
- You prefer repetitive work over solving new challenges
- You need constant direction or supervision to stay on track
Growth Opportunity
This is a long-term role with the opportunity to grow into full ownership of projects and increasing responsibility over time.
You will gain experience in:
- Construction sequencing and scheduling
- Budget and cost management
- Client communication and leadership
- High-end residential project delivery
This role can evolve into a senior position within a respected design+build firm.
What Your First 90 Days Will Look Like
- Learn current projects, vendors, and workflow
- Support ongoing projects while building your understanding of sequencing
- Begin taking ownership of smaller scopes
- Gradually step into full project responsibility
Our Hiring Process
We take hiring seriously.
Our process includes a short assessment, a one-way video interview, and final interviews with our team.
This helps us understand how you think, communicate, and approach problems not just what is on your resume.
About Us
Harry Braswell Design+Build is a well-established residential design+build firm serving homeowners throughout Northern Virginia.
We are known for high-quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and strong client relationships.
We are a small, experienced team that values professionalism, accountability, and doing things the right way.
Our projects are high-quality, detail-driven renovations where execution and communication matter.