Construction Project Manager, Commercial

About the role

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. Working on commercial construction project sites across southern Wisconsin in various markets including health care, multi-family mixed use, industrial, and more, Project Managers lead the overall safety, strategy, and success of complex construction projects—from preconstruction through closeout.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all phases of construction to deliver safe, high-quality, on-budget, and on-schedule projects
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and forecasts
• Lead subcontractor procurement and negotiation
• Monitor performance, resolve conflicts, and ensure compliance with contract documents and safety standards
• Manage financial outcomes through cost control and forecasting
• Direct closeout, commissioning, and turnover to ensure client satisfaction
• Successfully manage projects exceeding $25 million

Team & People

• Lead by example—modeling safety, integrity, and teamwork
• Motivate and develop project engineers, superintendents, and other team members
• Communicate clearly and proactively across all project levels
• Foster collaboration and accountability within project teams

Quality & Safety

• Ensure safety protocols and procedures are followed at all times
• Conduct regular jobsite inspections for compliance and quality assurance
• Address variances promptly with clear documentation and corrective action
• Apply Lean principles to improve performance and eliminate waste

Client & Business Development

• Cultivate trusted relationships with clients and partners
• Support business development by identifying new opportunities and participating in presentations and interviews
• Negotiate and secure repeat and referral work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field
• Experience managing commercial construction projects while leading collaborative teams
• Proven ability to lead large, complex projects—ideally in healthcare, education, institutional, or mixed-use markets
• Strong business acumen and working knowledge of preconstruction, estimating, and bidding
• Proficiency in project management and collaboration software
• Willingness to work from offices and project sites between Milwaukee and Madison