Project Manager, Special Projects

ARCO a Family of Construction Companies; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading bonus program

ESOP

401k (traditional and Roth)

Company relocation support

Tuition reimbursement

Scholarship for associates’ children

Paid sabbatical after five years + $5k

Volunteer leave

Charitable match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies, is seeking a motivated Project Manager to join the Special Projects team in Downers Grove, IL. You will support the lead PM on tenant improvement projects, focusing on smaller, highly customizable assignments across Chicagoland, with a team of self-perform superintendents.

You will collaborate with clients and design teams to develop concept drawings and budgets, participate in contract reviews, and help drive project success while maintaining safety and

Qualifications

• 1-5 years of experience in commercial sub-contractor or general contractor projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze, think critically, and solve problems.
• Demonstrated competency in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to travel nationwide to client sites as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support the lead Special Projects PM and assist with project management tasks.
• Track COIs and meeting minutes; document decisions.
• Reach out to bid lists and compile bids.
• Collaborate with clients and design team to develop preliminary concepts and budgets.
• Assist in proposal meetings to review scope and help write contracts.
• Identify opportunities to procure materials or equipment to optimize budget or schedule.
• Manage field work orders, submittals, RFIs, pay apps, change orders, and submittals.

Skills

Project management

Negotiation

Communication

Critical thinking

Travel availability

Job description

About You

Are you a passionate problem solver? Do you act with integrity and hold yourself and others to the highest standard? If the answer is, “Yes!” then we have an opportunity that will impress you. Who are we? We are ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies.

About You

Are you a passionate problem solver? Do you act with integrity and hold yourself and others to the highest standard? If the answer is, “Yes!” then we have an opportunity that will impress you. Who are we? We are ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies. ARCO/Murray National Construction is currently seeking a highly motivated Project Manager with 1-5 years of experience seeking an opportunity to join a larger GC our Special Projects team under our Tenant Solutions vertical in Downers Grove, IL. Our TS team builds nationally and boasts an impressive portfolio of completed projects including entertainment or hospitality related tenant improvement and/or adaptive re-use projects. This particular focus will be in the space of smaller, highly customizable special projects around the Chicagoland area with a team of Self-Perform Superintendents. Your role will primarily act as a support role with our lead Special Projects Project Manager to start as you get acclimated to the ARCO ways of working.

A Day In The Life

• Working in conjuction with our lead Special Projects PM and supporting project management tasks as seen fit.
• Tracking COIs/meeting minutes.
• Reach out to bid lists and compile bids.
• Work closely with clients and the design team to develop preliminary concept drawings and project budget.
• Participate in the proposal meeting with clients to review the scope of work and support writing contracts.
• Identify and investigate opportunities to procure material and/or specialty equipment directly when advantageous to project budget or schedule.
• Understand and process field work orders, submittal review and tracking, RFI writing and tracking, pay applications, change orders, submittals.
• Requires an advanced understanding of the change order process and the ability to negotiate contracts and change orders.
• Most importantly…find a way to make the construction process fun for your clients, subcontractors, and vendors without sacrificing on quality or safety!

Necessary Qualifications

• 1-5 years of experience working for a commercial sub-contractor or general contractor is preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to analyze, think critically, and problem-solve
• Demonstrated competency in effective negotiation and conflict resolution
• Flexibility to travel to client sites nationwide as needed required

What We Can Offer You

We are dedicated to the well‑being of our associates and are proud to be consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work. Our compensation and benefits package not only supports our associates and their families but benefits local communities and communities around the world.

• Industry-leading performance-based bonus program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Traditional and Roth 401k
• Company supported relocation
• Tuition reimbursement for associates
• Scholarship for associates’ children up to $28,000 per child
• 1-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel
• 1-week paid volunteer leave each year
• 100% charitable match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Paid parental leave

At ARCO, our first core value is to treat people fairly and do the right thing. We are committed to building and sustaining a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

From recruiting, training, and hiring practices to selecting our subcontractors, we understand that diversity of all those involved in the construction process enhances our ability to deliver the best solutions to our customers. We hire the best and the brightest from across the country – constructing a team of experts in architecture, design, engineering, project management, and business services.

MAKE YOUR MOVE

We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 7,500 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #9 on ENR’s Design-Build Firms list and #34 on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list of 2026. Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us, and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person who can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is “Yes!” we look forward to meeting you.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

EOE, including disability/vets