Assistant Project Manager, Commercial Construction

Cobalt Recruitment; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

401(k)

ESOP

Paid time off

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment in Newark, NJ is seeking an Assistant Project Manager for commercial interior fit-outs. This client-facing, office-based role focuses on estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and documentation rather than field supervision.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in commercial construction with takeoff and change order experience, OSHA 10, and a valid driver's license. Base salary is USD 90,000–USD 95,000 with full health benefits.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of commercial construction experience with GC or drywall/millwork/finishes subcontractor (no single-family residential).
• Experience with estimating, takeoffs, and change orders.
• Familiarity with drywall, millwork, finishes scope, scheduling, and billing.
• OSHA 10 safety certification.
• Valid driver's license.
• Strong problem solving, multitasking, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and ability to learn proprietary software.

Responsibilities

• Assist with estimating, project takeoffs, and bidding for drywall, millwork, finishes, and related trades.
• Help build and maintain project budgets.
• Support RFI and submittal processes.
• Apply knowledge of contracts and change orders.
• Help prepare and maintain project schedules and attend meetings.
• Read drawings and specs across trades.
• Track subcontractor scopes, schedules, and documentation across trades.
• Support punch list, change orders, and close-out processes.
• Assist with pay applications and lien waivers during billing.
• Support insurance, laws, and bonding requirements.
• Update clients on schedule, budget, and status.
• Support quality control and customer relations on active projects.

Skills

Estimating & takeoffs

Budgeting & scheduling

Change orders

Communication skills

MS Office

Learning new software

Education

Bachelors in Construction Management/Engineering/Design

Tools

MS Office

Company-specific software

Job description

Salary: USD90000 - USD95000 per annum + 100% employer-paid health insurance

Location: Newark, NJ

Job Type: Full-time, in-person

Industry: Commercial General Contracting (Drywall, Millwork & Finishes, with Banking, Corporate, Retail & Healthcare Clients)

Pay: $90,000 - $95,000 base salary + 100% employer-paid family health insurance

An employee-owned national GC with a 65-year track record is hiring an Assistant Project Manager for commercial interior fit-outs (drywall, millwork, finishes, some MEP) for banking, corporate, retail, and healthcare clients. Office-based, client-facing role: estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and documentation, not field supervision. Come from a commercial GC or a commercial drywall, millwork, or finishes sub, no residential, with solid takeoff, estimating, and change order experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist with estimating, project takeoffs, and the bidding process across drywall, millwork, finishes, and related trades
• Help build, understand, and maintain project budgets
• Support the RFI and submittal processes
• Apply working knowledge of construction contracts and change orders
• Support preparing and maintaining project schedules, and schedule and attend project meetings
• Read and interpret project drawings and specifications across multiple trades
• Track subcontractor scopes, schedules, and documentation across drywall, millwork, finishes, and MEP trades
• Support the punch list, change order, and project close-out processes
• Support the billing process, including pay applications and lien waivers
• Support insurance requirements, relevant laws, and bonding awareness
• Help update clients on schedule, budget, and project status
• Support quality control/quality assurance and customer relations on active projects

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of commercial construction experience with a general contractor, or a commercial drywall, millwork, or finishes subcontractor (no single-family residential)
• Working knowledge of estimating, project takeoffs, and the change order process
• Familiarity with how drywall, millwork, finishes, and related trades scope, schedule, and bill their work
• OSHA 10
• Valid driver's license
• Strong problem-solving, multitasking, and attention-to-detail skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with MS Office and ability to learn company-specific software

Preferred

• Prior experience specifically on commercial interior build-outs or tenant fit-outs
• Degree in Construction Management, Design, or Engineering

Compensation and Benefits

• $75,000 - $95,000 per year
• 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families
• Health savings account
• 401(k)
• Paid time offEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Career growth opportunities with a stable, employee-owned contractor

This is a confidential search conducted on behalf of the hiring company. The company name is shared directly with candidates who advance in the process.

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