Construction Project Manager

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, planning, execution, financial performance, and successful delivery of assigned commercial construction projects from preconstruction through final closeout. This role serves as the primary point of accountability for project success and works closely with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and field leadership to ensure every project is delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The Project Manager develops and maintains project budgets, forecasts, contracts, procurement plans, change management, owner billings, project documentation, and client communication. The PM partners closely with the Superintendent to coordinate schedule, field operations, quality, safety, logistics, and issue resolution. This individual is expected to identify risks early, protect Merit’s contractual and financial position, maintain accurate WIP forecasts, and lead the project team with urgency and professionalism. The Project Manager also develops Assistant Project Managers and Project Engineers. Success is measured by safety, schedule, profitability, forecasting accuracy, quality, client satisfaction, timely closeout, and the development of a high-performing project team.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead assigned projects from preconstruction and turnover through final completion, closeout, and warranty transition.

• Develop the project execution plan, communication plan, procurement strategy, and administrative setup.

• Lead subcontractor buyout and ensure scopes are complete, coordinated, and consistent with the estimate and contract documents.

• Manage owner contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, insurance requirements, and project contractual obligations.

• Develop, maintain, and manage the project budget, commitments, cost-to-complete, contingency, and profitability.

• Prepare accurate monthly project forecasts and WIP information, including revenue, cost, margin, risk, and cash-flow considerations.

• Prepare and manage owner billings and coordinate timely subcontractor pay application review.

• Lead project change management, including identification, pricing, documentation, negotiation, approval, and incorporation of changes.

• Monitor RFIs, submittals, procurement, long-lead items, and design decisions to protect the project schedule.

• Partner with the Superintendent to develop, maintain, and update the Microsoft Project schedule and recovery plans when required.

• Lead owner/architect/contractor meetings and communicate project status, decisions, risks, and required actions.

• Maintain strong working relationships with owners, design professionals, subcontractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

• Identify project risks early and develop mitigation, recovery, and escalation plans.

• Review subcontractor performance and enforce contractual, schedule, safety, quality, and documentation requirements.

• Coordinate with Accounting on billing, collections, subcontractor payments, lien releases, and project financial reporting.

• Ensure Procore is maintained as the current and complete project-management system of record.

• Lead project closeout, including punch list, commissioning, O&M manuals, warranties, as-builts, training, final billing, and contract completion.

• Mentor and develop Assistant Project Managers and Project Engineers through delegation, coaching, and performance feedback.

• Participate in client presentations, project interviews, preconstruction activities, and lessons-learned reviews.

• Represent Merit professionally and protect the company’s reputation, relationships, contractual rights, and financial interests.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.

• Proficient in Procore for project financials, contracts, RFIs, submittals, drawings, meetings, change management, documentation, punch lists, and closeout.

• Proficient in Microsoft Project for schedule development, updates, progress tracking, critical path review, and recovery planning.

• Proficient with Bluebeam for drawing review, markups, overlays, document comparison, and coordination.

• Strong ability to analyze project financial data, forecasts, schedules, and operational reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.

• 7+ years of progressive commercial construction experience preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing commercial construction projects from startup through closeout.

• Strong knowledge of project financial management, contracts, procurement, scheduling, change management, and closeout.

• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, contracts, and technical documents.

• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• OSHA 30 or equivalent preferred.

Performance Expectations

• Projects are delivered safely and in compliance with company safety expectations.

• Project milestones and contractual completion dates are achieved or supported by timely recovery plans.

• Projects meet or exceed established gross-margin and profitability objectives.

• Monthly forecasts and WIP reporting are accurate, timely, and supported by current project information.

• Buyout, procurement, RFIs, submittals, and change management are completed within required timeframes.

• Owner billings, collections, and subcontractor payments are managed proactively.

• Client relationships remain strong and support repeat and referral business.

• Closeout is planned early and completed promptly with minimal outstanding issues.

• Project staff demonstrate continued development and increasing responsibility.

• Project documentation protects Merit’s contractual, financial, and operational interests.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and active construction-site environments.

• Ability to walk jobsites, climb stairs and ladders, and navigate uneven terrain while wearing required PPE.

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.

• Ability to travel to assigned project sites, client meetings, and company meetings.

Work Environment

• Combination of corporate/project office and active commercial construction environments.

• Regular project-site presence and interaction with field personnel and trade partners.

• Work schedule may require early mornings, extended hours, or occasional weekends to support project requirements.

• PPE is required in active construction areas.

Core Values & Competencies

• Act with integrity and professionalism in every decision and interaction.

• Put safety first and actively support a culture in which everyone is responsible for safe execution.

• Take ownership of commitments and remain accountable for results.

• Communicate openly, directly, respectfully, and in a timely manner.

• Build trust with clients, teammates, design partners, subcontractors, and the communities in which Merit works.

• Seek better ways to plan, communicate, build, and serve through continuous improvement.

• Support team development and share knowledge that strengthens the organization.

• Represent Merit with pride and protect the company’s reputation.

• Demonstrate humility by remaining open to feedback, recognizing the contributions of others, and putting the success of the team and project ahead of individual recognition.

• Promote collaboration by working across teams, disciplines, and project partners to solve problems, share information, and achieve the best overall outcome.

• Bring and continuously develop expertise by applying strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, lessons learned, and industry best practices to improve project and company performance.