Assistant Project Manager

Essential Search; Washington; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Mentorship

Benefits package

Job summary

Essential Search is seeking an Assistant Project Manager for a respected DC Metro area general contractor. You will support Project Managers on a range of commercial projects from $15M to $150M, under a mentorship-driven environment with a clear path to a Project Manager role.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's in Construction Management or Civil Engineering and 3+ years of commercial construction experience. Expect structured growth, strong teamwork, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field required.
• Minimum 3 years of commercial construction experience (APM, Project Engineer, or field experience with interest in moving to PM).
• Supports day-to-day project execution – coordinating submittals, shop drawings, and site documentation; works with PM and Superintendent to keep schedules and progress on track.

Responsibilities

• Support Project Managers on commercial projects (office, multifamily, healthcare, higher ed, federal) with exposure to projects typically ranging from $15M to $150M.
• Assist cost control: develop schedules of values, change orders, requisitions, and payment tracking.
• Act as a communication bridge between ownership, design teams, subcontractors, and internal leadership; collaborate on professional development.
• Maintain organization and manage multiple moving pieces to keep projects on schedule.

Skills

Commercial construction experience

APM/PM interest

Cost control & scheduling

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

Job description

Our client is a respected, mid-sized general contractor in the DC Metro area, known for quality work, long-term client relationships, and a genuine investment in developing its people. Employee turnover is low, and many team members have been with the company for a decade or more, which reflects how the company is run and how it treats its people.

The company is particularly known within the industry for its mentorship culture and transparent advancement, employees know what's expected of them to grow, and promotions are based on clear, consistent criteria rather than guesswork. This is perfect opportunity for an Assistant Project Manager who wants mentorship and a clear path toward a Project Manager role. You'll work directly with industry leading Project Managers and Project Executives, who came up through the APM role themselves, supporting and building world-class projects.

The Work

You'll support Project Managers on commercial projects spanning office, multifamily, healthcare, higher ed, and federal generally in the $15M-$150M range, giving you exposure to a variety of project types rather than repeating the same building type.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related construction/engineering field required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in commercial construction (APM, Project Engineer, or field experience with an interest in moving into project management)
• Supports day-to-day project execution - coordinating submittals, shop drawings, and site documentation, while working alongside the PM and Superintendent to keep schedules on track and subcontractor work moving.
• Helps manage cost control, from schedules of values and change orders to requisitions and payment tracking.
• Acts as a communication bridge between ownership, design teams, subcontractors, and internal leadership, with opportunities for industry involvement and continued professional development.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple moving pieces
• Interest in building a long-term career with one company

What You'll Get

• Competitive salary and performance bonus
• A structured path toward Project Manager
• Direct mentorship from experienced PMs and leadership
• Full benefits package (health, 401k match, vehicle/phone allowance)