Senior Project Manager

Wharton-Smith, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wharton-Smith, Inc. seeks a Senior Project Manager in Charlotte, NC, to lead large, complex construction initiatives and mentor Project Managers.

The role emphasizes strategic oversight, client relationship management, and operational excellence across assigned projects. You will monitor financial performance, manage risks, and drive business development while coordinating with executive leadership and project teams to ensure successful project execution and client satisfaction throughout the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Ten to fifteen years of construction management experience.
• Proven experience leading large-scale or multiple projects.
• Proficiency in CPM scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Strong leadership and communication with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple projects or large-scale, complex construction efforts from preconstruction through closeout.
• Mentor Project Managers and project teams to drive performance.
• Monitor budgeting, forecasting, profitability, cash flow, and risk.
• Develop executive relationships with clients, consultants, and partners.
• Lead business development initiatives and contract negotiations.
• Resolve major disputes, issues, and process challenges across projects.
• Drive best practices, staffing, and succession planning across teams.
• Provide executive reporting and project updates to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Financial oversight

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Tools

CPM scheduling software

Construction management platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Wharton-Smith, Inc., a highly regarded General Contractor throughout the Southeast, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Project Manager. We are currently seeking someone who is willing to work in Charlotte, NC.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Project Manager provides leadership and strategic oversight for large, complex, or multiple construction projects while overseeing project teams and operational performance. This role is responsible for ensuring successful project execution, financial performance, risk management, client satisfaction, and operational excellence across assigned projects.

The Senior Project Manager serves as an operational leader who mentors Project Managers and project teams, supports business development initiatives, manages executive-level client relationships, and drives continuous improvement throughout project operations. This role plays a key part in staffing, operational planning, and organizational leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee multiple projects or large-scale, technically complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and operational guidance to Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, and project teams.
• Monitor project financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, profitability, cash flow, and risk management.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, consultants, and industry partners.
• Support business development initiatives, including project pursuits, presentations, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Lead the resolution of major project disputes, claims, operational challenges, and contractual issues.
• Drive operational consistency, process improvement, and best practices across project teams.
• Support staffing, resource planning, employee development, and succession planning initiatives.
• Monitor project schedules, procurement activities, staffing plans, quality control, and safety performance across assigned projects.
• Provide executive-level reporting and operational updates to senior leadership.
• Represent the company through participation in industry associations, community organizations, networking events, and client functions to strengthen relationships, enhance the company's reputation, and support business development initiatives.
• Develop future leaders by mentoring Project Managers, sharing best practices, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of construction management experience.
• Proven experience successfully leading large-scale construction projects or managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong leadership, operational management, financial oversight, and business development capabilities.
• Extensive knowledge of construction operations, project startup, mobilization, scheduling, budgeting, cost control, and procurement processes.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, risk management, financial forecasting, and project financial reporting.
• Proficiency in Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling software, construction management platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee project financial performance, manage budgets, control costs, and support successful project execution.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team-building skills with the ability to motivate employees, maintain morale, and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop employees at varying levels of experience and career progression.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, support succession planning, and lead multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced construction environments.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, project owners, design teams, subcontractors, vendors, field personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Experience preparing professional presentations, qualification packages, project reports, and project-specific documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to address complex project challenges.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements, enhance operational efficiency, and support successful project outcomes.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across multiple project teams and departments while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing competing priorities and critical project deadlines.
• Proficiency in using standard office technology, including laptops, smartphones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and scanners.
• Ability to perform office-related tasks requiring close vision, focus, and regular verbal communication.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move office materials and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Availability to work a full-time, exempt schedule during standard business hours, with flexibility for extended hours, evenings, and weekends based on project schedules and operational needs.
• Willingness to travel regularly to project job sites and regional offices to support project operations and business objectives.
• Ability and willingness to work full-time at an assigned project site for extended periods when required to support project execution and client needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability

Wharton-Smith provides equal opportunity to qualified disabled veterans, Pre-JVA special disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities to online application systems by making reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access for submitting to job openings. (i.e., wheelchair accessibility, website accessibility, etc).