Project Executive | Westmont, IL

Berglund Construction; Westmont, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Berglund Construction in Westmont, IL seeks a Project Executive to provide executive leadership over multiple construction projects, ensuring safety, schedule, budget, and quality while driving client satisfaction and profitable growth.

You will mentor Project Managers, manage risk, and represent Berglund with key clients and stakeholders; travel 40-50% for out-of-state projects, with a pay range of $175,000–$200,000 USD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related field preferred.
• 18+ years of progressive project management experience in the construction industry.
• 7+ years leading large commercial projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple project teams simultaneously.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, trade partners and internal teams.
• Strong financial acumen with proven P&L responsibility.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Thorough understanding of contracts, scheduling, estimating, risk management, and project controls.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of multiple projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and in accordance with Berglund quality standards.
• Anticipate project risks before they become problems.
• Balance project priorities with business unit and company objectives.
• Lead resolution of major project issues and contractual disputes.
• Conduct executive project reviews and regular job site visits.
• Hold project teams accountable for execution, documentation and client satisfaction.
• Ensure all projects operate in accordance with Berglund Standard Operating Procedures.
• Serve as the executive representative of Berglund Construction by developing and maintaining strategic relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Lead executive-level meetings, resolve complex project issues, manage client expectations, support strategic account growth, and foster long-term partnerships that drive repeat business and position Berglund as a trusted advisor.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at client meetings, networking events, and industry functions.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship-building

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Contracts knowledge

Scheduling

Risk management

Project controls

P&L responsibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related field preferred.

Job description

Build More Than Projects. Build Your Future with an Exceptional Team.

At Berglund Construction, our success is driven by people who care deeply about their work, their teammates, and the communities they serve. We create an environment where collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and innovation are encouraged at every level.

When you join Berglund, you’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, develop professionally, and contribute to a company that values relationships as much as results. We believe that when our people thrive, our projects do too.

Come build your future with a team that’s committed to excellence, growth, safety and making a lasting impact.

About the Role

The Project Executive provides executive leadership over multiple construction projects and project teams, ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, on schedule, and at the highest quality standards. The Project Executive is accountable for client satisfaction, financial performance, staff development, operational excellence, and business growth within their portfolio.

The Project Executive – Construction reports to the Senior Vice President and serves as the primary executive leader for major clients and strategic projects while developing Project Managers into future leaders. The Project Executive balances project execution with long-term company objectives by proactively managing risk, strengthening client relationships, improving operational performance, and driving profitable growth.

What You’ll Accomplish

• Provide executive oversight of multiple projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and in accordance with Berglund quality standards.
• Anticipate project risks before they become problems.
• Balance project priorities with business unit and company objectives.
• Lead resolution of major project issues and contractual disputes.
• Conduct executive project reviews and regular job site visits.
• Hold project teams accountable for execution, documentation and client satisfaction.
• Ensure all projects operate in accordance with Berglund Standard Operating Procedures.
• Serve as the executive representative of Berglund Construction by developing and maintaining strategic relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Lead executive-level meetings, resolve complex project issues, manage client expectations, support strategic account growth, and foster long-term partnerships that drive repeat business and position Berglund as a trusted advisor.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at client meetings, networking events, and industry functions.

Provide executive leadership during project pursuits by reviewing estimates, execution strategies, project risks, and contract terms; supporting proposal development, interview preparation, and pursuit strategies; and ensuring staffing plans align with project commitments to position projects for successful execution.

Business Development

Drive business growth by developing strategic client relationships, identifying new opportunities, leading pursuit strategies, expanding negotiated and repeat business, supporting marketing initiatives, actively participating in industry organizations, and representing Berglund within the construction community to grow a strong, sustainable portfolio of work.

Operational Excellence

Drive continuous improvement across the organization by standardizing project delivery, enhancing operational processes and systems, championing technology adoption, strengthening quality and safety performance, fostering cross-functional collaboration, removing organizational barriers, and promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

Decision-Making Authority

Exercise executive judgment to allocate project resources, optimize staffing, resolve complex client issues, direct project recovery efforts, influence pursuit and subcontractor strategies, identify and elevate contractual and financial risks, and recommend strategic investments that enhance operational performance and support the company’s long-term growth.

• Own the financial performance of assigned projects and portfolio by providing oversight of project budgets, revenue forecasting, margin protection, cash flow, cost reporting, change and claims management, risk mitigation, and final financial closeout.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve project profitability while fostering strong, long-term client relationships.

Safety & Quality Leadership

Champion a culture of safety and quality by providing executive oversight of project performance, conducting jobsite observations, reviewing significant safety and quality incidents, ensuring corrective actions are implemented, partnering with Safety and Quality teams, and holding project teams accountable for delivering safe, high-quality results.

Leadership & Team Development

Develop and inspire high-performing teams by mentoring and coaching Project Managers and emerging leaders, providing ongoing performance feedback, conducting performance evaluations, promoting Berglund's Core Values, fostering employee growth and accountability, and making sound talent decisions to build a strong leadership pipeline. Success is measured by the development of people as well as the successful delivery of projects.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related field preferred.
• 18+ years of progressive project management experience in the construction industry.
• 7+ years leading large commercial projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple project teams simultaneously.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, trade partners and internal teams.
• Strong financial acumen with proven P&L responsibility.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Thorough understanding of contracts, scheduling, estimating, risk management, and project controls.

Preferred Characteristics

• Holds true to Berglunds core values: Operation Excellence, Can do Attitude, Client Focus, Respect for the Individual
• Delivers consistently profitable projects.
• Develop future leaders across the organization.
• Builds long-term client relationships that generate repeat business.
• Creates a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Anticipates problems before they occur and leads teams through complex challenges.
• Thinks beyond individual projects to improve the performance of the entire business unit and strengthen Berglund Construction for the long term.
• Combination of office and active construction site environments.
• Position will be based out of our Westmont, IL office.
• Overnight travel will be required for out of state projects to provide executive oversight within the southeast region. Estimated travel 40 - 50%.

Pay Range

$175,000 - $200,000 USD

What We Offer You

Berglund Construction offers a comprehensive selection of benefits and rewards to help our employees thrive professionally and personally. We provide competitive compensation and a wide range of benefits that support both employees and their families, helping them prepare for the future. Eligible employees are offered 401(k) with company match, comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including wellbeing programs; disability and life insurance benefits; paid time off, peer recognition program; and more.

Berglund Construction provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

*The candidate(s) offered this position will be required to submit to a background investigation and drug/alcohol screening.

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

*Please note that any salary shared information is a general guideline only. Salaries are based on candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.