Senior Project Manager

gpac; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary & incentives

Comprehensive benefits

Vehicle allowance

Job summary

gpac is seeking a Senior Project Manager for commercial construction in the Chicago area. You will own project performance, lead internal teams, and coordinate with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to deliver complex projects from preconstruction to closeout.

The role requires 7+ years of experience, a related degree, and proven leadership in ground-up, renovation, or tenant improvement work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• 7+ years of commercial construction experience.
• Experience managing ground-up, additions, renovations, or tenant improvements.
• Experience with industrial, manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, healthcare, or corporate interiors projects.
• Strong understanding of project financials, scheduling, contracts, procurement, and operations.
• Proven ability to lead project teams and maintain client/subcontractor relationships.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel periodically.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial construction projects from initial planning and preconstruction through turnover and closeout.
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, schedules, contracts, procurement, change orders, and financial reporting.
• Establish and maintain relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate field operations with project superintendents to maintain momentum.
• Oversee subcontractor buyout, scope development, contract negotiations, and vendor performance.
• Monitor RFIs, submittals, material approvals, procurement, and project documentation.
• Lead owner, architect, and contractor meetings; ensure clear decisions and action items.
• Identify risks early and develop practical solutions to protect schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.
• Mentor Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Coordinators.
• Support preconstruction with constructability reviews, estimating, scheduling, and planning.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, profitably, and to quality standards.
• Help strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities for repeat business.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting & forecasting

Scheduling

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Risk management

Communication

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture

Job description

Senior Project Manager - Commercial Construction

An established and highly respected commercial general contractor is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex construction projects from preconstruction through final closeout. This is an opportunity to join a financially stable, relationship-driven builder with a strong pipeline of work, repeat clients, and projects throughout the Chicago area and across the country.

The Senior Project Manager will take full ownership of project performance while leading internal teams, collaborating closely with field operations, and serving as the primary point of contact for owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners. The ideal candidate is a proactive construction leader who understands the details, communicates clearly, anticipates challenges, and knows how to bring teams together to deliver successful projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commercial construction projects from initial planning and preconstruction through turnover and closeout
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, schedules, contracts, procurement, change orders, and financial reporting
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and project stakeholders
• Partner closely with project superintendents to coordinate field operations, resolve challenges, and maintain project momentum
• Oversee subcontractor buyout, scope development, contract negotiations, and vendor performance
• Monitor RFIs, submittals, material approvals, long-lead procurement, and project documentation
• Lead owner, architect, and contractor meetings while ensuring decisions and action items are clearly communicated
• Identify project risks early and develop practical solutions that protect schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations
• Mentor Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Project Coordinators
• Support preconstruction efforts, including constructability reviews, estimating, scheduling, and project planning
• Ensure projects are completed safely, profitably, and to the company's quality standards
• Help strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities for repeat business

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred
• Approximately 7+ years of commercial construction experience
• Proven success managing complex ground-up construction, additions, renovations, or tenant improvement projects
• Experience with industrial, manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, food and beverage, healthcare, corporate interiors, or other technically demanding commercial projects is highly valued
• Strong understanding of project financials, scheduling, contracts, procurement, and construction operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams and maintain productive client and subcontractor relationships
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• Proficiency with industry-standard project management, scheduling, and document-control software
• Ability to travel periodically based on project needs

What This Opportunity Offers

• Leadership role with a respected and established commercial general contractor
• Diverse portfolio of challenging, high-profile projects
• Strong backlog and long-standing client relationships
• Direct access to company leadership and meaningful involvement in project decisions
• Opportunity to mentor developing construction professionals and help build high-performing teams
• Clear potential for continued advancement into Project Executive or operational leadership
• Competitive base salary, performance incentives, comprehensive benefits, and vehicle allowance

This position is ideal for a Senior Project Manager who wants more than simply managing paperwork and schedules. The company is looking for a true construction leader who can take ownership, build trusted relationships, develop team members, and consistently deliver an exceptional experience for clients and project partners.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.