Manager, Capital Projects and Real Estate Advisory

Baker Tilly; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm; this Construction and Real Estate Advisory Manager role focuses on reviews, audits, and assessments across the U.S. Real estate operations and capital projects are central to our holistic solutions.

The position requires 5+ years in construction/real estate advisory, strong communication, and travel up to 25%. CPA/PE preferred and degrees in engineering, architecture, or related fields are helpful.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in construction management or real estate advisory.

Responsibilities

• Conduct construction and real estate process reviews, controls and compliance assessments to identify improvement opportunities.
• Assess construction contracts, real estate leases, and capital project performance for contractual and regulatory compliance.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency.
• Lead fieldwork: data collection, site visits, interviews; prepare clear reports and client-ready presentations.
• Collaborate with project managers, asset managers, legal counsel, clients and contractors to manage risk and support oversight.
• Support clients through the real estate and capital project lifecycle from acquisition to disposition, aligning with business objectives.
• Oversee project management activities: schedules, budgets, resources, stakeholder communications to deliver on time and within scope.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for client engagements.

Education

Engineering degree

Architecture degree

Construction management

Accounting degree

CPA/PE preferred

Job description

Overview

Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.

Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law. Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e‑mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.

If you have a special request or need that requires accommodations to fully participate in interviewing or onboarding, please submit your request using the "Contact Us" feature on our Careers page. A member of our People Solutions team will follow up with you to discuss your specific needs.

Job Description

The Construction and Real Estate Advisory practice delivers comprehensive services to clients managing capital projects and real estate portfolios across the United States. Our team combines deep expertise in construction auditing, project management, real estate strategy, and compliance to provide holistic, high-value solutions that drive successful outcomes. The Consulting Manager will perform construction program reviews, contract cost audits, and real estate management assessments while offering best practice consulting advice tailored to capital projects and real estate operations. They will continue to develop their industry knowledge, technical skills, and client relationship expertise to support the delivery of integrated solutions that address both construction and real estate challenges. Collaboration, critical thinking, and a client-focused mindset are essential to thriving in this role and contributing meaningfully to our team’s success.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough reviews and analyses of construction and real estate management processes, controls, and compliance frameworks to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Perform assessments of construction contracts, real estate lease agreements, and capital project performance to ensure adherence to contractual terms, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Provide actionable recommendations on construction and real estate operations to enhance transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead fieldwork activities including data collection, site visits, interviews, and documentation of findings; prepare clear, concise reports and presentations summarizing observations and recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including project managers, asset managers, legal counsel, clients, contractors, and other stakeholders to support project oversight, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution.
• Support clients throughout the real estate and capital project lifecycle—from acquisition and development to operations and disposition—ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Oversee and support project management activities for engagements, including coordinating schedules, budgets, resources, and stakeholder communications to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with client objectives.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% to support client engagements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience, ideally in construction management, real estate advisory, capital projects consulting, or related fields, with demonstrated expertise in both construction and real estate environments.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Building Science, Construction Management, Accounting, or a related field from an accredited college/university; CPA, CIA, CCA, CFE, PMP, or PE is preferred.
• Knowledge in various phases of construction including planning, pre‑construction services, sourcing and procurement of contracts, contract administration, scheduling, cost estimating, project reporting, project closeout, as well as real estate portfolio management, lease administration, and property operations.
• Experience conducting contract compliance audits, common area maintenance reconciliations, and performance monitoring for both public and private sector clients is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce well‑organized research, documentation, audit work papers, and client‑facing reports.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% to support client engagements.

The compensation range for this role is $100,000 to $140,000. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Company Overview (continued)

Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.