Construction Project Manager (New Grad 2027)

ARCO Companies; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & bonuses

ESOP or profit-sharing

401(k) options

Tuition reimbursement + scholarships

Sabbatical + adventure fund

Volunteer leave + donation matching

Health, dental, vision + maternity/le

Maternity leave

Job summary

ARCO Design/Build is seeking a Construction Design/Build Project Manager to own the full project lifecycle, from concept to final walkthrough. You’ll lead design coordination, estimates, schedules, and on-site meetings, partnering with clients and teams to deliver high‑impact, buildable solutions.

You’ll drive collaboration, maintain cost controls, and steer subcontractors while upholding quality and integrity.

Qualifications

• Recent or upcoming accreditation in civil/construction fields.
• Interest in design/build, tilt-up concrete and industrial builds.
• Previous construction experience preferred but not required.
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred but not required.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook and MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Lead every facet of the project from start to finish, including estimating, scheduling, quality control, billing and design coordination.
• Deliver accurate, reliable project estimates for successful execution.
• Collaborate with clients and design teams to shape preliminary concepts into buildable solutions.
• Participate in proposal meetings to refine scope and costs with value-driven insights.
• Lead subcontractor selection and buyout to ensure quality and cost effectiveness.
• Drive on-site bi-weekly meetings to align teams and track progress.
• Make decisive leadership choices under pressure when needed.
• Coordinate multiple moving parts to keep scope, schedule and budget aligned.
• Champion continuous improvement and quality across processes.
• Turn client feedback into measurable outcomes that exceed expectations.
• Lead with integrity and deliver projects that prioritize client satisfaction.

Skills

Project management

Estimating

Scheduling

Quality control

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Construction Management

GPA 3.0 preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

About You:

Are you a passionate problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment? Do you take pride in doing the right thing and delivering quality work with integrity? Are you excited to see construction projects come to life — from the first idea to the final walkthrough?

If you answered “Yes!” — this opportunity was built for you.

At ARCO Design/Build, we’re not just building structures — we’re building the next generation of industry leaders. Join us and discover what it means to be part of one of the nation’s top design/build construction firms.

A Day in the Life:

As a Construction Design/Build Project Manager (DBM), every day brings a new lesson. You’ll gain exposure to the full lifecycle of a project while working alongside experienced professionals who are invested in your growth.

Here’s what we will expect from you:

• Lead Every Facet of the Project – Take ownership of project success from start to finish, including estimating, scheduling, quality control, billing, design coordination, cost tracking, safety, and proposal development.
• Deliver Accurate, Impactful Estimates – Prepare detailed, reliable project estimates that lay the foundation for successful execution.
• Collaborate on Vision and Innovation – Work closely with clients and design teams to shape preliminary concepts into high-impact, buildable solutions.
• Influence the Big Picture – Participate in proposal meetings, helping to refine scope, reduce costs, and offer value-driven engineering insights.
• Select the Best to Build the Best – Lead subcontractor selection and buyout, ensuring top-tier talent and cost-effective partnerships.
• Drive Communication On-Site – Facilitate bi-weekly site meetings to align teams, resolve challenges, and keep progress on track.
• Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure – Step up with calm, focused leadership when quick and effective decisions are needed most.
• Juggle with Precision – Coordinate multiple moving parts to keep projects aligned with scope, schedule, and budget.
• Champion Quality and Continuous Improvement – Monitor processes to maintain the highest standards and always look for ways to do it better.
• Turn Feedback into Results – Actively listen to client input and transform it into outcomes that exceed expectations.
• Lead with Integrity, Deliver with Purpose – Uphold our values in everything you do, ensuring client satisfaction remains the core of every project.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Recent or upcoming completion of an accredited Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, Construction Management, Building Science, or Construction Engineering undergraduate or graduate program (other related engineering majors will be considered)
• A strong interest in the construction process, specifically design/build, tilt-up concrete, industrial builds, etc.
• Previous experience in construction preferred, but not required
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred, but not required
• Proficiency using Word, Excel, Outlook and Microsoft Project
• Excellent verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic

What We Can Offer You:

Four core values that guide our culture:

• Treat people fairly and do the right thing
• Understand our customers’ business and solve their problems
• Be positive, upbeat, and have fun
• Create opportunities for individual financial success based on merit

Here’s what you’ll get as part of your employee package:

• Competitive Pay + Industry-Leading Bonuses – Earn top-tier compensation with a performance-based bonus program that rewards your impact.
• Ownership & Rewards – Choose between our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or a generously funded profit-sharing plan—either way, your success is our success.
• Secure Your Future – We offer both Traditional and Roth 401(k) options to help you build lasting financial security.
• Invest in Education – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement for associates and up to $28,000 in scholarships per child to support your family’s future.
• Recharge & Explore – Enjoy a fully paid 1-month sabbatical every 5 years, plus $5,000 to fund your adventure.
• Give Back, On Us – Make a difference with 1 week of paid volunteer leave annually and a 100% match on your charitable donations.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Access medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus 100% paid maternity leave for 12 weeks to support your growing family.

We don’t just invest in projects — we invest in people. From your first day, you’ll be part of a team that values growth, connection, and doing great work.

ARCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members, interns, and co-ops.

MAKE YOUR MOVE

We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 7,500 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #9 on ENR’s Design-Build Firms list and #34 on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list of 2026. Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us, and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person who can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is “Yes!” we look forward to meeting you.