Construction Project Manager

About the role

The Senior Project Manager leads complex ground-up industrial and data center construction projects from inception through closeout, with full ownership of financial performance, schedule, quality, and client satisfaction. This role manages large-scale projects in the $20–$25M+ range, serves as the primary client-facing representative, and drives coordination among owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Own overall project financial performance by managing budgets, forecasting costs, tracking expenditures, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, maintaining clear communication, managing relationships, and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.
• Lead end-to-end project delivery to ensure alignment with contract documents, schedule milestones, and quality expectations.
• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed look-ahead schedules to proactively track progress, identify constraints, and mitigate risks before they impact the project.
• Collaborate closely with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to drive coordination, resolve design and field issues, and keep work on track.
• Utilize Procore to manage project documentation, RFIs, submittals, reporting, and overall project workflows.
• Utilize Bluebeam to review, mark up, and coordinate construction documents and drawings.
• Manage change orders by defining scope, assessing cost and schedule impacts, negotiating as needed, and ensuring proper documentation and approvals.
• Drive project closeout activities, including completion of punch list items, coordination of final inspections, and preparation of turnover documentation.
• Maintain accurate and timely project reporting, including monthly status updates, cost reports, and executive summaries for leadership.
• Identify project risks, analyze root causes of issues, and implement timely and effective solutions to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Strategically allocate labor, equipment, and subcontractor resources to maximize efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Set clear expectations for internal teams and subcontractors, and hold all parties accountable for performance, safety, and deliverables.
• Provide calm, steady leadership on-site and in the office, fostering a collaborative environment where teamwork, respect, and clear communication are prioritized.
• Guide and support subcontractors and team members with clarity and respect, ensuring alignment with project goals and company values.

  Essential Skills

  • At least 10+ years of experience as a Project Manager supporting ground-up industrial and/or data center construction projects.
  • Proven experience managing large projects with budgets of $20–$25M or greater.
  • Strong background in industrial construction, including tilt-up and ground-up projects; tilt-up experience is required.
  • Procore expertise, including managing RFIs, submittals, documentation, and project workflows (Procore is required).
  • Bluebeam proficiency for reviewing and coordinating construction documents (Bluebeam is required).
  • Demonstrated experience creating and managing detailed look-ahead schedules (experience with look-ahead schedules is required).
  • Client-facing experience and ability to represent the company professionally with owners, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders.
  • Construction management and project management experience in industrial and/or data center environments.
  • Experience with data center projects and mission-critical environments is highly valued.
  • Experience working on diversified project types such as multi-family, Senior living, healthcare, R&D laboratories, industrial and manufacturing, food and beverage, higher education and training centers, hospitality and retail, recreational and religious facilities, and corporate office and interiors.
  • Ability to quickly earn the trust and respect of clients, subcontractors, and internal teams through integrity, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.
  • Calm, reasonable leadership style with a steady presence under pressure.
  • Collaborative mindset, valuing teamwork over ego and encouraging open input from team members.
  • Approachable and respectful communication style, especially when guiding subcontractors and on-site personnel.
  • Comfort working in a salary-exempt role without overtime pay, with an understanding of the expectations that come with leading large, complex projects.

    Additional Skills & Qualifications

    • Bachelor’s degree (BS) in a related field is preferred; candidates with an associate degree and strong relevant experience will be considered.
    • Experience with data center projects and mission-critical environments is highly valued.
    • Experience working on diversified project types such as multi-family, Senior living, healthcare, R&D laboratory, mission-critical, manufacturing, food and beverage, higher education and training centers, hospitality and retail, recreational and religious facilities, and corporate office and interiors is beneficial.
    • Ability to quickly earn the trust and respect of clients, subcontractors, and internal teams through integrity, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.
    • Calm, reasonable leadership style with a steady presence under pressure.
    • Collaborative mindset, valuing teamwork over ego and encouraging open input from team members.
    • Approachable and respectful communication style, especially when guiding subcontractors and on-site personnel.
    • Comfort working in a salary-exempt role without overtime pay, with an understanding of the expectations that come with leading large, complex projects.

      Work Environment

      The role is based out of a recently renovated, modern office in Oak Brook, IL, providing a professional and comfortable workspace. The Senior Project Manager works primarily from this headquarters location and travels to project sites as required to oversee field activities and attend client and coordination meetings. The work environment emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and strong teamwork, reflecting core values such as protecting reputation, working as a team, caring for others, doing the right thing, doing whatever it takes to deliver for clients, and maintaining a sense of fun. Projects span a diversified portfolio, including industrial, data center, multi-family, Senior living, healthcare, R&D laboratory, mission-critical, manufacturing, food and beverage, higher education and training centers, hospitality and retail, recreational and religious facilities, and corporate office and interiors. The technology environment includes heavy use of Procore for project management and Bluebeam for document control and coordination. The culture supports long-term relationships, high standards of quality and safety, and a balanced, people-focused approach to delivering complex construction projects.

      Job Type & Location

      This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Oak Brook, IL.

      Pay And Benefits

      The pay range for this position is $72.12 - $79.33/hr.

      Requirements

      Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

      • Medical, dental & vision
      • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
      • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
      • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
      • Short and long-term disability
      • Health Spending Account (HSA)
      • Transportation benefits
      • Employee Assistance Program
      • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
      • Workplace Type
      • This is a fully onsite position in Oak Brook, IL.

        Application Deadline

        This position is anticipated to close on Jul 21, 2026.

        About Actalent

        Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

        San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

        Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

        Massachusetts Lie Detector

        It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

        Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

        We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.