Project Executive

Framework Construction Recruiting; New York (NY); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Framework Construction Recruiting is partnering with a Brooklyn-based mechanical contractor to recruit a Project Executive who will lead Project Operations across multiple public works and heavy mechanical projects in New York City. You will mentor Project Managers, set standards, and drive schedules, budgets, and cash flow while coordinating with field leadership to keep projects on plan and on time.

This is a senior leadership role demanding 10+ years in construction management and a track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of construction-management experience with 5+ years in senior leadership overseeing multiple projects.
• Proven track record managing a $40M–$60M construction portfolio.
• Experience with public agencies, MWBE/DBE requirements, and complex contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Project Operations function across multiple concurrent projects (public works, wastewater, institutional, heavy mechanical).
• Mentor and manage Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and Project Engineers; set performance standards.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures, project controls, reporting, and cost-management processes.
• Ensure timely execution, risk management, and financial performance of the project portfolio.

Skills

Construction management

Senior leadership

Public works

Budgeting

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

We are working with a well-established mechanical contractor based in Brooklyn, NY, with four decades of experience delivering critical infrastructure work across New York City. The company self-performs public works, wastewater, institutional, and heavy mechanical projects for city and state agencies and has built a growing backlog on the strength of finishing what it starts. Despite its scale, it runs like a close-knit, family‑oriented team rather than a large corporate shop, with a field-first operating philosophy summed up internally as \"the field drives the bus.\" As the backlog has grown, ownership is looking for a Project Executive to lead the Project Operations function so that routine project execution no longer depends on the owners.

This is a senior management seat. The Project Executive owns the management and commercial side of project execution: the financial, contractual, administrative, and organizational performance of the entire project portfolio. The Operations Manager, a close partner in this structure, owns field leadership, labor productivity, logistics, and day‑to‑day field execution. Together they make sure the office supports the field. This role manages and develops the Project Managers, builds consistent project‑management systems, sits on the senior management team, and interacts regularly with the Leadership Team and ownership.

What You’ll Do

Project Operations Leadership

• Lead the Project Operations function across multiple concurrent public works, wastewater, institutional, and heavy mechanical projects
• Manage, mentor, and hold accountable Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, and project support staff
• Set clear expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards for the project‑management team
• Create consistency across projects through standard operating procedures, project controls, meeting rhythms, and reporting requirements, without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• Build the leadership capacity the company needs to manage a growing backlog without depending on ownership for routine decisions
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and safety

Portfolio and Project Oversight

• Maintain executive‑level visibility over the schedule, financial position, contractual status, risks, and staffing needs of every project
• Conduct regular project reviews with Project Managers and Field Operations leadership
• Ensure every project has a clear execution plan, procurement schedule, submittal log, change‑order log, cost forecast, and closeout plan
• Identify problems early and require clear recovery plans when projects fall behind schedule, budget, or contractual requirements
• Escalate material risks to the General Manager and Executive Leadership with facts, financial exposure, and a recommended course of action
• Ensure Project Managers coordinate effectively with General Foremen and field leadership without taking over field operations
• Drive projects through final completion, agency signoff, commissioning, punch‑list resolution, and financial closeout
• Own the financial performance of the project portfolio: gross profit, cost‑to‑complete forecasting, cash flow, billing, and margin preservation
• Review monthly project forecasts and hold Project Managers to accurate cost projections
• Catch margin erosion, cost overruns, unapproved work, and billing delays before they become unrecoverable
• Hold Project Managers accountable for timely requisitions, change‑order pricing, documentation, approvals, billing, and collection support
• Monitor underbillings, overbillings, retainage, committed costs, and project cash positionli>
• Participate in monthly WIP reviews with Accounting, Operations, and Executive Leadership
• Approve project expenditures and commitments within established authority limits
• Make sure project financial reporting reflects the most accurate and supportable outcome, not the most optimistic one

Contract and Change Management

• Review contracts, specifications, scopes, schedules, and commercial requirements before project turnover
• Ensure the project team understands all notice provisions, documentation requirements, milestones, liquidated damages, and owner obligations
• Set a clear commercial strategy for changes, delays, differing conditions, and owner‑directed work
• Review significant change orders, claims, time extensions, and subcontractor disputes
• Protect the company’s contractual rights through timely notice, complete documentation, and disciplined follow‑through
• Coordinate with legal counsel, sureties, insurance representatives, and outside consultants when needed

Project Startup and Preconstruction Handoff

• Lead post‑award turnover from Estimating and Preconstruction to Operations
• Confirm that scope, assumptions, exclusions, risks, schedule requirements, procurement needs, and financial goals transfer cleanly to the project team
• Assign project‑management resources based on project complexity and team capacityli>
• Ensure every project starts with an approved budget, baseline schedule, staffing plan, procurement plan, billing strategy, and risk register
• Provide constructability, staffing, scheduling, and risk input on selected pursuits, and support bid reviews and go/no‑go decisions

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the senior project‑management contact for key owners, public agencies, construction managers, engineers, and business partners
• Build credible, professional relationships with clients while protecting the company’s contractual and financial interests
• Lead executive‑level progress meetings, negotiations, dispute resolution, and project recovery efforts
• Represent the company professionally with New York City and State public‑sector clients
• Earn repeat business by delivering strong project performance

Team Development

• Build a capable, accountable Project Operations team that can support the current backlog and future growth
• Develop Project Managers through coaching, clear expectations, regular feedback, and documented development plans
• Identify succession needs and future leadership candidates within the team
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and evaluating Project Operations personnel, and recommend staffing adjustments as workload shifts
• Address performance problems directly and promptly

Cross‑Functional Coordination, Risk, and Compliance

• Work closely with the Operations Manager and General Foremen to align project‑management support with field priorities
• Coordinate with Accounting on cost reporting, billing, forecasting, and cash management, and with Procurement on long‑lead equipment, subcontracts, and material commitments
• Coordinate with Safety leadership so project teams support and enforce the company’s safety program
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, public‑agency procedures, applicable codes, permits, reporting requirements, and company policies
• Monitor risks tied to schedule, procurement, subcontractors, labor coordination, design changes, claims, and cash flow
• Ensure Project Managers keep complete, organized project records and respond promptly to audits, owner requests, and closeout documentation
• Serve as an advisor to the Leadership Team on companywide priorities, quarterly milestones, and issue resolution

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of progressively responsible construction‑management experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple projects
• A track record of successfully managing a $40M to $60M construction portfolio
• Significant experience managing multiple fast‑paced smaller projects at once and supervising project teams
• Demonstrated success delivering large, complex mechanical, public works, infrastructure, industrial, or institutional projects
• Strong command of project financial management, forecasting, change‑order management, scheduling, procurement, and contract administration
• High financial acumen, including WIP, cost‑to‑complete projections, cash flow, and project margin
• Experience with public agencies, union construction, and prime‑contracting requirements strongly preferred
• New York City public works experience with agencies such as DEP, DSNY, SCA, or DDC highly preferred
• Proven experience managing MWBE and DBE contract requirements
• Proven ability to lead and develop Project Managers
• Ability to distinguish facts from assumptions and surface bad news early
• Strong judgment under pressure and willingness to make difficult decisions
• Direct, professional communication with clients, agencies, employees, and trade partners
• Strong organizational discipline and follow‑through, with the ability to build systems without adding bureaucracy
• Working knowledge of project‑management, scheduling, document‑control, and financial‑reporting systems
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent field, project‑management, and leadership experience will be considered

How Success Is Measured

• Portfolio gross‑profit performance and margin preservation
• Accuracy of monthly project forecasts
• Project cash flow, billing timeliness, and underbilling control
• Change‑order aging, approval, and recovery rate
• Schedule performance and milestone achievement
• Timely identification and resolution of project risks
• Project closeout duration and outstanding retainage
• Client performance evaluations and repeat‑work opportunities
• Project Manager performance, development, and retention
• Reduction in routine project escalations requiring ownership involvement

What You’ll Gain

• Salary range of $175,000 - $225,000 based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• A senior management seat with real decision rights: assigning and balancing Project Operations resources, setting and enforcing project‑management procedures, approving expenditures and settlements within company limits, and recommending hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions within your team
• The chance to build the Project Operations function and the leaders within it, with ownership's backing
• The stability of a growing backlog of public‑agency work backed by a company with four decades of infrastructure experience across New York City
• A close‑knit, family‑style culture where people build long careers and where straight talk is expected in both directions
• Real investment in your development and in the people you lead
• The tangible, public impact of work on the infrastructure that keeps New York City running

Work Environment:

A combination of office responsibilities and active project‑site visits, with regular travel throughout New York City and the surrounding region. Participation in early‑morning, after‑hours, or emergency project matters when required. Fast‑paced, with multiple public‑sector projects, strict contractual requirements, and significant financial accountability.