Project Manager- Life Sciences
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Executive Construction is seeking a Life Sciences Project Manager to oversee complex facilities from preconstruction through commissioning. You’ll coordinate schedules, budgets, and specifications, serving as the project’s executive representative with clients and stakeholders.
Ideal candidates bring life sciences construction experience, strong contract knowledge, and comfort with regulatory environments. Travel 30–50% is required; on-site collaboration is essential.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or similar; preferred
- 2+ years of construction management experience in life sciences preferred
Responsibilities
- Develop master project schedules and budgets for complex life sciences facilities
- Prepare and issue detailed bid spreadsheets and procurement docs
- Lead contract development, negotiation and award alongside clients
- Manage project budgets, RFIs, and change orders
- Oversee safety and regulatory compliance on site in life sciences environments
- Lead cross-functional project teams through planning, design, construction, and commissioning
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At Executive Construction, we’re not just building spaces—we’re building a legacy. From our roots as one of Chicagoland’s premier general contractors, our foundation has been shaped by bold vision, strong leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This legacy isn’t just part of our past—it’s the driving force that propels us forward, inspiring a new generation of builders and leaders.
Our Life Sciences practice is one of the most specialized and fastest-growing areas of our business. We deliver complex, highly regulated facilities — from wet labs and cleanrooms to vivarium and biopharma manufacturing — for clients who depend on precision, compliance, and expertise at every phase of a project.
If you’re passionate about building something greater than just a project, and you want to be part of a team that takes pride in collaboration and continuous growth, come build your future the Executive Way.
As a Life Sciences Project Manager, you’ll oversee and coordinate construction projects from start to finish within life sciences environments — ensuring that schedules, specifications, and budgets are followed while serving as Executive Construction’s representative on the project team. You’ll be directly accountable for the delivery of complex, multi-disciplined facilities including wet labs, cleanrooms, vivarium, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biotech R&D environments, serving as a subject matter expert on life sciences construction strategies.
- Assist in the development of the master project schedule and procurement of permits
- Support presentation efforts and response for life sciences clients
- Develop project scope, schedule, and budget from the ground up for complex life sciences facilities
- Serve as subject matter expert on design and construction strategies for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building management systems specific to life sciences environments
- Support and lead all estimating through preconstruction deliverables from conceptual to GMP
- Visit job site to become familiar with existing conditions, including any active lab or regulated environments
- Preparation of estimates and quantity takeoffs
- Distribute drawings and specifications to subcontractors for bids
- Understand how to best leverage Executive Construction’s Self-Perform group (SPE) for our clients
- Support of developing master schedule
- Prepare detailed bid spreadsheets
- Assist with bid day activities
- Complete the preparation of client proposals
- Develop requests for proposals, negotiate terms and conditions, and manage contract development and award
- Enforce all terms of the general contract and subcontract agreements
- Evaluate and administer contract documents to outside construction contractors, including approval of payment applications to the owner
- Prepare and issue detailed purchase orders and subcontract agreements
- Confirm insurance coverage and contracts of all subcontractors before the sub starts work in the field
- Qualify and identify long lead-time items — particularly critical systems such as HVAC, cleanroom components, and specialty lab equipment — and pre-purchase materials as required by schedule
- Award projects and manage trade contracts to qualified contractors using good judgment and fairness
- Manage all facets of the project schedule, ensuring accuracy of scope sheets
- Initiate job start-up meetings, weekly progress meetings, and prepare job meeting minutes
- Prepare, track, and maintain all budget reports and RFIs
- Prepare, track, and negotiate contract change orders
- Support Superintendents in all areas; visit the project site as required
- Initiate and manage all quality control procedures for the project, with particular attention to regulatory and compliance requirements in life sciences environments
- Lead all phases of the project including planning, scheduling, budgeting, design, construction, owner test fits, and regulatory interaction
- Lead project teams through the decision-making process to deliver high-value, safe, responsive, sustainable, flexible, and robust facilities
- Take initiative regarding risk management and contingency planning related to budget, scope, schedule, or regulatory compliance to prevent negative project impacts
- Support our safety program with Safety Director and Superintendent
- Organize and implement timely project close-out
You will lead projects focused on life sciences facility types including, but not limited to:
- Biology, cell/gene therapy, and chemistry laboratories
- Vivarium and biocontainment facilities
- Cleanroom design and construction
- Medical imaging and diagnostic testing laboratories
- Agricultural, food science, and academic research facilities
- Public health and clinical lab environments
- Biotech R&D facilities
- Lab equipment procurement
- Fill out PA/CA information in the CRM
- Prepare and maintain all project financials (Quarterlies)
- Manage cash flow for each project, including payment applications and subcontractor pay requests, ensuring payments are made in a timely manner
- Enhance Executive Construction’s reputation with partners through performance
- Expand your network by planning and attending appropriate social and business events, including life sciences and biotech industry forums
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with a variety of people, including owners, managers, designers, supervisors, tradespersons, and craft workers
- Serve as a mentor to project team members and help grow ECI’s life sciences practice
- A People-First Culture — where Performance, Resourcefulness, Integrity, Sensitivity, and Teamwork are the heart of everything we do
- Challenging, High-Impact Projects — work on highly specialized life sciences facilities including cleanrooms, vivarium, biopharma manufacturing, and biotech R&D, both locally and nationally
- Career Growth and Development — mentoring program, leadership training, and learning and development curriculum
- Competitive Compensation and Rewards — including robust salary packages, performance bonuses, and recognition programs
- Comprehensive Benefits — healthcare, 401K matching, voluntary benefits, various paid time off allowances including maternity and paternity leaves, Employee Assistance Program, and much more
- Work-Life Balance That Works — we believe great work starts with a healthy, balanced life
- A Legacy You’ll Be Proud Of — join a team where you’ll build life-long friendships and work that leaves a lasting impact on clients, communities, and your own career
- Proficiency in Project Management Software (e.g., Viewpoint, On-Screen, Bluebeam Revu, Building Connected, MS Project, or similar systems)
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- General understanding of contracts
- Thorough understanding of plans, specifications, and regulations — including life sciences regulatory frameworks (cGMP, GLP, FDA guidelines)
- Ability to remain flexible and efficient in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to make intelligent and quick decisions, working well under pressure and when faced with unexpected occurrences or delays
- Ability to effectively analyze and solve problems
- Ability to manage multiple projects across different phases simultaneously
- Must be able to traverse and inspect all areas of jobsites, including active lab and regulated environments
- Must be on-call to address issues at the jobsite, across multiple time zones
- Ability to travel 30-50%
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or similar program preferred AND minimum two years of construction management experience OR
- Minimum of 5 years of construction industry experience
- Minimum of two years prior experience working in life sciences, healthcare, or lab facilities environments highly preferred
Embrace the core values of Executive Construction throughout your daily interactions with internal and external customers.
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