Project Executive - Manufacturing Market

Gray; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Gray Construction seeks a Project Executive - Manufacturing Market to lead a major Lexington, KY area project portfolio. The role demands strong leadership, deep cost control and complex coordination with clients, A/E, and field teams.

You’ll drive schedule, quality, safety and profitability across large multi‑discipline efforts. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in design/build or hard bid environments, strategic sourcing, and a proven ability to mentor managers while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 10 years related experience.
• 7+ years of total profit and loss accountability on multiple projects.
• 5+ years managing all disciplines of design/build or hard bid projects.
• Experience with contracting methods and understanding legal language.
• Proven track record in increasing project profitability.
• Technical understanding to represent Gray in early client discussions.
• Knowledge of costs and fees for engineering and design services.
• Ability to address changes in cost, schedule and operations with clients.
• Managed projects with equipment procurement over $2M and prepared estimates.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project administration, financial performance, and schedule adherence.
• Lead meetings, track action items, and maintain submittals and closeout docs.
• Monitor budgets, costs, and change orders; report to leadership.
• Manage relationships with customers, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Mentor project managers and develop team capabilities.
• Collaborate across engineering, design, and field operations to meet goals.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Schedule management

Contract management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Gray Construction is looking for a Project Executive - Manufacturing Market to join their team in our Lexington, KY office.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the overall management of one large $200MM+ or an individual project with a high level of complexity or multiple construction projects. Key responsibilities include: Project Administration, Financial Performance, Schedule Performance, Risk Management, Relationship Management, Team Member Development, and Collaboration.

Project Administration

• Facilitates customer and team meetings and ensures that detailed meeting minutes and action items are updated and promptly distributed.
• Ensures that all project startup meetings are held when required and with the appropriate team members.
• Ensures that the project action items are being systematically tracked and completed to support the project requirements.
• Ensures that project staff completes submittal reviews, status reports, closeout documents, and maintenance manuals promptly.
• Visits project sites regularly.

Financial Success

• The Project Executive continually monitors progress, identifies issues early during budget/cost reviews, develops corrective actions to mitigate issues, and provides reports to the Responsible Director, Regional Manager or Vice President.
• Operates within budgetary limitations and requirements.
• Develops proposals and execution strategies for the project, ensuring buy‑in from construction, A/E, MEP services, and field operations, and includes a reporting process to update market leaders as appropriate.
• Monitors the purchasing of all required materials, subcontracts, equipment, and services, ensuring optimal savings while meeting safety, quality, scheduling, training, and profitability requirements.
• Ensures project staff issues change orders to subcontractors and customers according to the work procedures.
• Ensures project staff completes red files accurately and timely, and reviews the red file and/or job cost reports with the Site Manager monthly.

Schedule Performance

• Oversees the development and maintenance of the project master schedule to ensure conformance to the execution strategy and contractual obligations.
• Collaborates with field operations, A/E, and MEP services to assess schedule progress, identify potential issues, and develop corrective measures.
• Documents and communicates any project delays appropriately, producing timely notices and justification for extensions where required.

Risk Management

• Understands all contractual terms and conditions in owner contracts and subcontracts, rendering decisions and taking appropriate action based on obligations.
• Ensures safety, quality, scheduling, training, and profitability goals are met and promotes and implements the safety and quality programs.
• Develops the project risk management plan, assigns responsibilities, monitors progress, and incorporates risk planning into the execution plan.
• Assesses the effectiveness of plans and collaborates with field operations, A/E, and MEP services to develop changes or corrective actions.
• Provides oversight, identifies potential issues, assists teams in developing corrective measures, and monitors risk mitigation until resolved.
• Demonstrates and communicates a consistent and clear approach to problem‑solving.

Relationship Management

• Acts as the primary customer contact and account manager, serving as a transitional stop prior to escalating to the Director.
• Develops relationship management plans, assigns responsibilities, and reports progress, addressing relationships with customers, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Creates a project communication plan outlining lines of communication for the team, customer, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Assesses the effectiveness of plans and, with field operations and A/E services, develops changes or corrective actions.
• Exhibits leadership, awareness of Gray core values, and extends courtesy and respect to all project stakeholders.
• Ensures continuity of workflow in the absence or termination of subordinates or other project staff.

Team Member Development

• Ensures project staff support and abide by the company’s vision, core values, and mission statement.
• Monitors project team cohesiveness and develops action plans to correct resource issues.
• Mentors and trains Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and provides training to Assistant Project Managers and Project Engineers.

Collaboration

• Ensures project staff and other team members maintain a cooperative work environment with engineering, design, and construction site staff.
• Communicates regularly with other Project Executives and the Responsible Director, Regional Manager or Vice President to carry out responsibilities.

The Responsible Director, Regional Manager, or Vice President has the authority to execute subcontract agreements, release early payments to subcontractors and vendors, accept deviations from insurance limits, and execute customer change orders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university; or a minimum of ten years related experience and training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of seven consecutive years of total profit and loss accountability on multiple projects.
• Minimum of five years of experience managing all disciplines of design/build or hard bid projects for the target market.
• Experience with all contracting methods (lump sum, GMP, cost‑plus construction management, fee‑based construction) and understanding of legal aspects of contractual language.
• Proven record of increasing project profitability from initial margin on multiple projects.
• Knowledgeable in technical aspects of engineering and design disciplines to represent Gray as the primary point of contact in initial project discussions with customers.
• Thorough understanding of costs and fees associated with engineering and design disciplines and services offered by Gray.
• Knowledgeable of the impact of design, engineering, or construction changes on cost, schedule, and operations, and ability to address these issues with customers.
• Managed at least one project where process or production equipment procurement or installation (or comparable components) exceeded two million dollars, and experience preparing estimates and proposals for discrete equipment components and systems.
• Ability to mentor and train senior project managers, project managers, Assistant Project Managers, and other team members.
• Experience developing aggressive schedules for projects with variable types, areas, and seasonal start dates.
• Experience preparing cost estimates for design/build projects in the industrial arena.
• Ability to develop and maintain harmonious relationships with owners, co‑workers, vendors, suppliers, and community stakeholders.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical publications, or government regulations; to write reports and business correspondence; to present information effectively and respond to questions from employees, managers, clients, customers, and the general public; and to develop, interpret, and understand complex financial information.

Mathematical Skills

Basic business mathematical skills, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or other forms.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Basic computer skills, including the use of word processing, spreadsheet, and e‑mail applications, and working knowledge of scheduling and/or estimating applications.
• Energetic, self‑motivated individual who enjoys a team environment and values collaboration and professional development.
• High achiever striving to exceed expectations in a fast‑paced, innovative company.

Visa Sponsorship

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Frequent standing, walking, sitting, use of hands, reaching with hands or arms, talking or hearing; occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; occasional lifting or moving up to 50 pounds; close vision required. Normal office environment with moderate noise level, controlled temperature, and humidity. Overtime may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise multiple team members in various positions and external resources.

EEO Disclaimer

Gray is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.