Commercial Construction Project Manager

Vaco Recruiter Services; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Vaco Recruiter Services is seeking a Project Manager for a family-owned construction contractor in Indianapolis. This role involves managing commercial construction projects, from preconstruction to closeout, ensuring strong communication among all stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in commercial construction, with a strong grasp of project management processes. Compensation includes a competitive salary, bonuses, and benefits such as medical and 401(k).

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in commercial construction project management.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Fluency in RFIs, submittals, change orders, and project management processes.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of assigned commercial construction projects.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and subcontractor coordination.
• Lead day-to-day project execution in coordination with field leadership.

Skills

Commercial construction project management

Construction workflow understanding

Communication

Risk management

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Procore

Sage

Microsoft Project

Bluebeam

Job description

About the Opportunity

Vaco is hiring a construction Project Manager for our client, a third-generation, family-owned commercial construction general contractor with over 40 years of experience building in Central Indiana. This role will be based in the downtown Indy office and travel to local construction locations.

The Role

As a Project Manager, you'll own the full lifecycle of assigned commercial construction projects — from preconstruction through final closeout. This is not a coordinator or support role. You will be the central leader on your projects, connecting clients, field crews, subcontractors, and internal operations.

Expect roughly a 50/50 split between office work and job site visits. Project sites are within a 2-hour radius of Indianapolis.

Typical project range: $200,000 – $5,000,000 (averaging ~$1M). Markets include education, public sector, commercial, and institutional.

Key Responsibilities

Preconstruction & Project Start‑Up

• Partner with estimators to define scope, budget, and execution strategy
• Lead subcontractor buyout, contract development, and procurement planning
• Develop project schedules, milestones, and critical path sequencing
• Identify risks, long‑lead items, and key coordination challenges
• Participate in project kickoff and align all stakeholders

Active Construction

• Lead day-to-day project execution in coordination with field leadership and union foremen
• Manage subcontractors, vendors, and all project communications
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and project stakeholders
• Monitor and control project costs, forecast financial performance, and protect margins
• Maintain project documentation: RFIs, submittals, change orders, and logs
• Ensure alignment with schedule, safety standards, and quality expectations
• Resolve field, design, and coordination issues in real time

Project Closeout

• Drive punch list completion and project turnover
• Ensure delivery of all closeout documentation (O&M manuals, warranties, as‑builts)
• Manage final billing, financial reconciliation, and project wrap‑up
• Maintain client relationships beyond project completion

Leadership & Financial Ownership

• Lead, support, and collaborate with field teams and project staff
• Set expectations and drive accountability across all project partners
• Own project financial performance from buyout through closeout
• Track costs, forecast risks, and proactively manage budget exposures
• Contribute to improving internal processes, workflows, and project systems
• Support business development through strong client performance and relationship‑building

What They’re Looking For

Required

• 8+ years of commercial construction project management experience (some flexibility for exceptional candidates slightly under)
• Must understand the actual construction workflow, not just theory; residential backgrounds will not be considered
• Fluency in RFIs, submittals, change orders, and the full construction project management process — the hiring manager will probe this directly in the interview
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and prints with precision
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, and subcontractor coordinationStrong knowledge of construction methods, materials, and sequencing
• Comfortable working in a smaller, tight‑knit environment where not every process is fully documented — adaptability matters
• Strong communicator who keeps multiple stakeholders informed proactively

Preferred / Differentiators

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
• OSHA 30 Certification
• Proficiency with Bluebeam (can be learned, but familiarity is a plus)
• Experience with Procore, Sage, Microsoft Project, or similar PM/scheduling software
• Background managing projects in education, public sector, or institutional markets

Compensation and Benefits

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. As required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.