Project Manager – K-12 / Public Works Construction

Diamond Peak Recruiting; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Diamond Peak Recruiting is seeking an experienced Project Manager for our San Francisco client to lead complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. This hands-on role emphasizes owner relations, coordination with architects and consultants, and effective team leadership in public-sector work.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years managing K-12, public works, or institutional construction, with strong scheduling, budgeting, and documentation skills.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of construction project management experience, preferably with a general contractor.
• Experience managing K-12, public works, education, civic, institutional, or other public-sector construction projects strongly preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Experience working with public agencies, school districts, municipalities, or other government entities is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage construction projects from preconstruction through final completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and cost controls.
• Review plans, specifications, contracts, subcontracts, and project requirements.
• Lead project meetings and maintain effective communication with owners, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, pay applications, and other project documentation.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and develop solutions to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor performance and help resolve project issues.
• Coordinate closely with Superintendents and field teams to ensure quality, schedule, and safety objectives are met.
• Manage owner relationships and serve as a primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support estimating and preconstruction activities, including constructability reviews, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Ensure compliance with applicable contractual, regulatory, and public-agency requirements.
• Drive successful project closeout, including punch list completion, documentation, warranties, and turnover.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Construction management

Public sector construction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related field

Tools

PM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is a well-established construction organization with a strong track record delivering complex projects in the K-12, public works, education, civic, and institutional sectors. They are seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their San Francisco team and take a leadership role in the successful delivery of construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.

This is an excellent opportunity for a construction professional who understands the unique requirements of public-sector work and enjoys managing complex projects, building strong client relationships, and leading teams toward successful project outcomes.

The Role

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for managing assigned construction projects, including schedule, budget, contracts, procurement, quality, safety coordination, and client communication.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with K-12 school construction, public works, or other institutional construction, along with the ability to effectively coordinate owners, architects, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage construction projects from preconstruction through final completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and cost controls.
• Review plans, specifications, contracts, subcontracts, and project requirements.
• Lead project meetings and maintain effective communication with owners, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, pay applications, and other project documentation.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and develop solutions to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee subcontractor and vendor performance and help resolve project issues.
• Coordinate closely with Superintendents and field teams to ensure quality, schedule, and safety objectives are met.
• Manage owner relationships and serve as a primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support estimating and preconstruction activities, including constructability reviews, budgeting, and value engineering.
• Ensure compliance with applicable contractual, regulatory, and public-agency requirements.
• Drive successful project closeout, including punch list completion, documentation, warranties, and turnover.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of construction project management experience, preferably with a general contractor.
• Experience managing K-12, public works, education, civic, institutional, or other public-sector construction projects strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, contracts, scheduling, estimating, and cost management.
• Experience with change management, RFIs, submittals, pay applications, and project documentation.
• Strong knowledge of construction plans and specifications.
• Excellent communication, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Experience working with public agencies, school districts, municipalities, or other government entities is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with common construction/project management software and Microsoft Office.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a hands-on, accountable construction leader who can balance the details of project administration with the larger picture of project execution. They are comfortable working with sophisticated owners and consultants, understand the complexities of public-sector construction, and can build productive relationships across all levels of a project team.

• $135,000 – $175,000 base salary, depending on experience and qualifications
• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• Collaborative project and leadership environment
• Opportunity to work on high-profile K-12 and public works projects in the Bay Area