Senior Project Manager

Pepper Construction Group; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pepper Construction Group in Illinois is seeking a driven Sr. Project Manager to lead complex, high-value projects across our industrial, warehouse, and large-scale commercial portfolio.

You will own projects from preconstruction through closeout, ensuring financial performance and exceptional client experience. As a Senior PM, you will guide cross-functional teams, manage budgets, schedules, risk, and subcontractor coordination, while mentoring junior staff and maintaining the highest safety

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex industrial facilities or large-scale commercial projects.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and schedules.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and client communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish project priorities with Field Supervision and PM teams.
• Ensure safety, quality, and client satisfaction on every project.
• Prepare budgets, value engineer, and monitor costs to completion.
• Lead subcontractor bidding, contracts, and procurement.
• Plan, schedule, and manage jobs from start to closeout.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Leadership

Client communication

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Posted Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM

With offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, Pepper Construction is a national general contracting and construction management firm that primarily serves the private sector. Pepper Construction provides clients the experience and resources of a national company, combined with the hands‑on approach of a local company.

Company Overview

Pepper leads the construction industry with an energy and ambition uncommon today. We seek out new methods and technologies that support your vision with a practical approach, and we apply our nearly 100 years of expertise to ensure the precision, quality and confidence that comes from working alongside a partner that's dedicated to performance.

Every building starts with a solid foundation, it’s people. At Pepper, we create leaders at every level and generate momentum in every market we serve by rewarding new thinking and respecting the long-standing values that have made our company unique for generations. You'll see the impact of our leadership in everything we do - from the Preconstruction work, we deliver to the decisions we make in the field to the relationships we form and keep fresh for years to come.

As a family‑owned and operated company, we take building personally.

Position Summary

We're seeking a driven, experienced Sr. Project Manager to lead complex, high-value projects across our diverse portfolio. This role is about more than managing projects - it's about taking ownership from preconstruction through closeout, driving financial performance, building high-performing teams, and delivering an exceptional client experience. While our portfolio includes a variety of commercial work, this role is primarily focused on industrial facilities, warehouses and other large scale commercial projects. Candidates with a proven track record delivering projects in these markets will be the strongest fit. As a Senior Project Manager, you'll lead with accountability, solve challenges proactively, and drive successful outcomes for our clients and project teams.

Project Management

• Work with Field Supervision and Project Management to establish operation priorities and ensure safety and quality on every project
• Ensure customer satisfaction by identifying and exceeding client needs
• Estimate, value engineer and develop project budgets
• Facilitate the subcontractor bid process to include processing, distribution and tracking of all project bidding documentation
• Ability to utilize software programs and templates to process, distribute and track all project documentation
• Negotiate subcontractor and material buyout; develop and negotiate subcontracts
• Plan and schedule projects
• Manage jobs in progress including subcontractor coordination, conflict resolution and documentation.
• Manage project costs through the ongoing evaluation of labor, material and equipment; continue to forecast and analyze construction costs, exposures and profits through project completion.
• Perform project closeout

Leadership

• Provide leadership through building relationships, motivating others, providing clear direction, and cooperative teamwork
• Lead teams by building relationships, providing clear direction, and driving collaboration.
• Mentor and develop project management staff, fostering high performance.
• Communicate strategically with clients, stakeholders, and teams.
• Coach future leaders through training and guidance.

Business Development

• Interact with clients and potential clients to identify and pursue potential work
• Prepare and participate in client presentations and project interviews