Project Manager, Owner's Rep

Essential Search; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Search is helping a long-established private owner/developer in the DMV area recruit an Owner’s Rep Project Manager. You will lead tenant and capital improvement projects from concept to closeout, manage budgets, and coordinate with architects, engineers, and contractors.

This is a true owner’s-side role with direct interaction with senior leadership. Ideal candidates have 5–8 years in PM with a GC or owner’s rep, a background in retail/office TI, and a construction-related degree (or

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of project management experience with a general contractor or owner’s rep firm.
• Strong background in retail and/or office tenant improvements.
• A 4-year degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, plus the ability to stay calm when schedules shift.
• Bonus: CCM and/or LEED AP.

Responsibilities

• Lead tenant and capital improvement projects from conceptual budget through closeout.
• Build conceptual budgets, run competitive bids, and manage the award process.
• Coordinate with architects and MEP engineers on contract documents, RFIs, and submittals.
• Partner with retail and office tenants on space planning and construction documents.
• Coordinate tenant contractors to deliver possession on schedule.
• Secure senior management approval for construction expenditures.
• Manage permitting, invoicing, contract enforcement, and closeout.
• Lead substantial completion walkthroughs.
• Support cash flow forecasting and draw reviews with accounting and lenders on base building projects.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

B.S./B.A. in Construction Management or Engineering

Equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Project

Bluebeam

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Owner’s Rep Project Manager

DMV Area | Full-Time | On-Site | Competitive Base + Bonus

Ready to Move to the Owner’s Side?

If you’ve spent years running tenant improvement projects for a general contractor and you’re ready to be the one directing the work instead of chasing it, this is your opportunity.

Our client is a long-established, privately held commercial real estate owner and developer with a diversified portfolio of retail, office, and mixed-use properties across the DMV and Mid-Atlantic. They’re adding an Owner’s Rep Project Manager to lead tenant and capital improvement projects from concept through closeout. You’ll be the owner’s voice on every project: managing architects, engineers, consultants, and general contractors to deliver space on time, on budget, and to a high standard.

Why You’ll Want This Role

• Sit on the owner’s side of the table. You’ll hire and manage the GCs, set the standards, and make the calls, without the bid-day grind or fee pressure.

• Stability and long-term thinking. You’ll work for a privately held company that builds and holds its assets, so quality and relationships matter more than quarterly pressure.

• Variety without chaos. You’ll handle a steady pipeline of retail and office TI and capital projects, keeping close to the work with local travel and no relocation or extended out-of-town assignments.

• Real visibility. You’ll work directly with senior leadership, leasing, accounting, and lenders, so your work has a clear impact on the business.

• Strong total rewards: competitive base plus bonus, 401(k) with company match, medical/dental/vision, tuition reimbursement, PTO, an on-site fitness center, pre-tax commuter benefits, and more.

What You’ll Do

• Lead tenant and capital improvement projects from conceptual budget through closeout

• Build conceptual budgets, run competitive bids, and manage the award process

• Coordinate with architects and MEP engineers on contract documents, RFIs, and submittals

• Partner with retail and office tenants on space planning and construction documents

• Coordinate tenant contractors to deliver possession on schedule

• Secure senior management approval for construction expenditures

• Manage permitting, invoicing, contract enforcement, and closeout

• Lead substantial completion walkthroughs

• Support cash flow forecasting and draw reviews with accounting and lenders on base building projects

What You Bring

• 5–8 years of project management experience with a general contractor or owner’s rep firm

• A strong background in retail and/or office tenant improvements

• A 4-year degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, Excel, and Outlook

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, plus the ability to stay calm when schedules shift

• Bonus: CCM and/or LEED AP

Location & Travel

The role is based in the DMV, with local travel to properties throughout the region and the broader Mid-Atlantic.

Interested? Reach out confidentially to Essential Search to learn more about the company and the opportunity.