Project Executive

Wharton-Smith, Inc.; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Wharton-Smith, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL, seeks a Project Executive - Commercial to lead portfolio oversight, growth, and project delivery across the Southeast.

You will manage executive-level client relationships, drive strategic objectives, and guide cross-functional teams to ensure successful project outcomes. The role requires a Doer-Seller mindset and extensive leadership experience in construction, with travel to project sites and regional offices as needed.

Qualifications

• 15+ years leadership in construction operations and project management.
• Doer-Seller mentality guiding growth, leadership development and market expansion.
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites and regional offices.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and client-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for multiple projects and regional initiatives.
• Lead planning, staffing, financial performance, and organizational development efforts.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, consultants, industry partners, and regulators.
• Support business development, market expansion, and project pursuit activities including negotiations and contracts.
• Oversee portfolio profitability, forecasting, budgeting, and risk management.
• Establish and maintain standards, policies, and procedures across project teams.
• Assist with major contract negotiations, claims resolution, procurement strategies, and dispute management.
• Mentor leadership and drive organizational culture and succession planning.
• Promote safety leadership, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Mentoring/leadership development

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelors in CM/CE/Env Eng

Job description

Wharton-Smith, Inc., a highly regarded General Contractor throughout the Southeast, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Executive - Commercial. We are currently seeking someone who is willing to work throughout North, FL.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Project Executive serves as a senior operational leader responsible for portfolio oversight, strategic growth, operational leadership, and organizational performance across multiple projects and business initiatives. This role provides executive-level leadership and direction to operational teams while driving business development, client relationships, financial performance, risk mitigation, and organizational excellence.

The Project Executive requires a Doer-Seller mentality and plays a critical role in long-term company growth, operational strategy, leadership development, and market expansion. This position serves as a primary executive liaison between company leadership, clients, consultants, regulatory agencies, and project teams while ensuring operational consistency and successful project delivery across the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide executive oversight and strategic leadership for multiple projects, operational teams, and regional business initiatives.
• Lead operational planning, staffing strategies, financial performance management, and organizational development efforts.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, consultants, industry partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Support business development, market expansion, and project pursuit strategies including tradeshows, conferences, presentations, negotiations, and contract development.
• Oversee portfolio financial performance including profitability, forecasting, budgeting, and operational risk management.
• Establish and maintain operational standards, best practices, policies, and procedures across project teams.
• Provide executive support for major contract negotiations, claims resolution, procurement strategies, and dispute management.
• Lead mentorship, leadership development, succession planning, and organizational culture initiatives.
• Promote operational excellence, safety leadership, quality assurance, and continuous improvement throughout all levels of operations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning, growth initiatives, and long-term business objectives.
• Serve as an ambassador for the company by actively engaging with industry organizations, community partners, and civic initiatives to strengthen relationships and enhance the company’s presence in the markets we serve.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive leadership experience in construction operations and project management.
• Proven success managing operational leaders, financial performance, strategic growth, and client development initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of construction operations, project delivery methods, project finance, risk management, and organizational leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong presentation and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with clients, consultants, subcontractors, regulatory agencies, executive leadership, and project teams.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term professional and client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive operational performance through effective leadership.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines within a fast-paced construction environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational and contractual challenges.
• Strong leadership presence with a high level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Proven experience mentoring, coaching, and developing operational leaders and project teams.
• Advanced knowledge of construction processes, means and methods, and regulatory requirements applicable to project locations.
• Extensive experience with multiple construction delivery methods, including: Design-Bid-Build
• Design-Build
• Progressive Design-Build
• Ability to interpret and analyze owner contracts, civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings, technical specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate risks and implement effective solutions.
• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to exceptional service delivery.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move office products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds and meet the physical requirements necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends as required by project schedules and operational demands.
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites and regional offices as needed to support project operations and business objectives.

Our recruiting process is centralized and managed exclusively by the HR Department. We do not pay agency fees for unsolicited resumes. An unsolicited resume is defined as any resume submitted by a recruiter who has not been pre-approved by HR, has not signed our recruiting agreement, and has not been engaged by HR to fill a specific position.