Vice President of Construction Project Management

Hughes Marino; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Hughes Marino seeks a Vice President of Project Management for its Orange County team to serve as the client's owner’s representative across multiple complex projects.

You will manage budgets, schedules, and teams, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with the brokerage and advisory groups to ensure goals, timelines, and budgets are met.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of construction project management experience in owner-side roles.
• Design-Build experience strongly preferred; able to lead on complex projects.
• Proven ability to manage external vendors and design teams while leading internal staff.
• Proficient with Bluebeam and MS Office applications; strong written and verbal skills for C-suite.
• Local candidates in Orange County, CA and surrounding Southern California area.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full lifecycle owner's rep / third-party CM for concurrent projects from programming through closeout.
• Manage day-to-day project activities with direct accountability to executive stakeholders.
• Develop and steward project budgets, schedules, and client-directed milestones.
• Assemble and lead project teams of architects, engineers, GCs and contractors.
• Mentor and manage up to two Hughes Marino PMs or project engineers.
• Review change orders, oversee invoicing, TI allowances and closeout from the owner's perspective.
• Review leases and Work Letter provisions with brokerage team; adapt to evolving requirements.
• Collaborate with Hughes Marino advisors and client stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Owner-side project management

Vendor management

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Scheduling and budgeting

Design-Build experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Project

Job description

About Hughes Marino

Hughes Marino is a nationally recognized, award-winning corporate real estate advisory firm specializing in representing occupiers, never landlords. Our Program, Project & Construction Management practice serves as owner's representative and third-party CM for some of the most dynamic companies in the country, guiding clients through complex projects with independent, conflict-free expertise.

We are currently seeking a Vice President of Project Management to join our Orange County team, engaged in an exciting long-term opportunity supporting a confidential, high-growth defense technology client.

The Role

As Vice President of Project Management, you will serve as Hughes Marino's owner's representative on the ground, acting as the trusted extension of our defense tech client's internal team. You'll be their eyes, their advocate, and their expert across all facets of construction. This is not a GC or developer role. You will hold the client's interests exclusively, managing the full project team on their behalf and ensuring every decision serves their goals, budget, and timeline.

This is a high-visibility position with direct exposure to client executives and real ownership of outcomes.

What You'll Own

• Full lifecycle owner's rep / third-party CM oversight of multiple concurrent commercial and specialty construction projects, from programming and design through construction completion and closeout
• Day-to-day management of complex, mission-critical projects on behalf of the client, with direct accountability to their executive stakeholders
• Development and stewardship of project budgets, schedules, and client-directed milestones, independent of GC or design team interests
• Assembly, procurement, and leadership of full project teams on the client's behalf: architects, engineers, GCs, and specialty contractors
• Mentorship and management of up to two internal Hughes Marino PMs or project engineers
• Change order review and negotiation, invoicing oversight, TI allowance reimbursement, and project closeout, all from the owner's perspective
• Lease and Work Letter review for construction-related provisions in coordination with Hughes Marino's brokerage team
• Ongoing collaboration with Hughes Marino advisors and client stakeholders as project requirements evolve

What We're Looking For

• 12+ years of construction project management experience, with significant time in a senior owner's rep, third-party CM, or client-side leadership role
• Candidates coming from GC or subcontractor backgrounds are welcome, but must demonstrate a genuine shift to owner-side advocacy and perspective
• Design-Build experience strongly preferred; candidates with this background will be prioritized
• Proven ability to manage and hold accountable external vendors and design teams while simultaneously leading internal junior staff
• Highly proficient in Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Project
• Sharp communicator, written and verbal, comfortable presenting to and advising C-suite stakeholders
• Self-directed, deadline-driven, and adaptable across multiple active projects in a fast-moving environment
• Local candidates only: Orange County, CA and surrounding Southern California area

Compensation & Details

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience ranging from $175,000 to $220,000
• Competitive benefits package and long-term career growth within Hughes Marino
• Regular travel to project sites across markets required
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Construction Management, Engineering, or Architecture

Hughes Marino is an equal opportunity employer.