Project Manager

Essential Search; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Stretch bonus opportunity

Retirement contributions

Health insurance

Generous PTO + holidays

Job summary

Essential Search is seeking a Project Manager in Phoenix to take true ownership of projects from award through closeout. You’ll lead the team, build plans, and drive execution with a focus on delivering outcomes rather than getting mired in paperwork.

You will mentor Project Engineers and Coordinators, teaching, coaching, and holding people accountable to grow the company’s next generation of PMs. This is a growth-focused role in a 5-10 year expansion phase.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Project Engineers and Coordinators.
• Proven track record of ownership from award to closeout.
• Strong leadership with a team-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own projects from setup to closeout with proactive planning.
• Build plans, drive execution, and manage cost and schedule.
• Develop and coach Project Engineers and Coordinators for growth.
• Lead through the team and ensure predictable project outcomes.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Mentoring/coaching

Execution mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Job description

Our client is a fast-growing Phoenix-based general contractor doing roughly $75M-$100M in annual revenue, with about 30% growth over the last 18 months. Their long-term vision is much bigger, but their focus stays the same: build great projects, develop great people, and create an environment where talented professionals enjoy coming to work.

They aren't trying to be the biggest contractor in the market. They're working to be the best place to work in the industry. That means they're selective about who joins the team and whether each hire is in the right seat to succeed.

The Opportunity

Our client is looking for a Project Manager who will take true ownership of their projects, from award through closeout.

This isn't a role for someone who manages paperwork or waits for direction. They want someone who can step into a project, understand what needs to happen, build a plan, and drive execution.

You will be supported by a strong project team, including Project Engineers and Coordinators. PMs here aren't expected to be a one-person army handling every procurement item, RFI, contract, and admin task. Instead, they lead the team, own the outcome, and make the people around them better.

The Two Things That Matter Most

1. Own Your Projects

You carry the project from setup and buyout through cost management, execution, change management, and closeout. You don't wait to be asked. You see it, own it, and drive it.

2. Develop Your People

Our client believes its best long-term growth comes from developing people internally. Your Project Engineers should get better because of how you lead them. You'll be expected to teach, coach, delegate, hold people accountable, and help build the company's next generation of Project Managers.

Both pillars carry equal weight in how PMs are evaluated.

What They're Looking For

• Strong fit with a team-first, accountable, execution-driven culture
• Interest in joining a company in a 5-10 year growth phase
• Full ownership of projects from start to finish
• Experience leading and developing Project Engineers and Coordinators
• A team player with an execution mindset
• Someone who leads through the support structure rather than trying to do everything alone
• Solid tenure with previous employers
• Someone looking for a career, not just a job

What Sets Them Apart

The company's goal is to deliver top-tier construction service through a process that is predictable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

• The Team: Aligned, accountable, and easy to work with, collaborating across every level with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Predictable Outcomes: On time, on budget, high quality. Disciplined planning, execution oversight, and transparent reporting mean no surprises.
• A Positive Experience: Clear communication, a solution-oriented mindset, and calm under pressure. How a project is delivered matters as much as what is delivered.

Built for the Long Term

This is a company that works on the business, not just in it. Leadership is deliberate about building the right structure as it grows: documented processes, clear accountability, the right people in the right seats, and a genuine commitment to developing its team. It also invests in the next generation of construction leaders through university partnerships and an internship program.

If you want a place where you can make an impact now and help shape what the company becomes over the next 5-10 years, this is worth a conversation.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual performance bonus tied to company and individual results
• Additional stretch bonus opportunity for hitting volume targets, with top PMs earning well above base
• Strong company-funded retirement contributions with a long track record, and no employee match required
• Health insurance
• Generous paid time off plus all major holidays