PROJECT MANAGER - PUBLIC WORKS

About the role

This is a full-cycle project management role for someone who knows how to navigate publicly funded work, manage complex scopes, and deliver projects to a high standard — whether the owner is a school district, a government agency, or a private developer.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of publicly funded and commercial construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Navigate public agency requirements including DSA (Division of the State Architect) oversight, public contract law, and agency-specific owner processes.
• Ensure full compliance with prevailing wage requirements across all projects, including oversight of certified payroll reporting for Deacon and subcontractors.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and look-ahead plans in coordination with the field team.
• Manage subcontractor scoping, buyout, contracts, and day-to-day job performance.
• Process RFIs, submittals, change orders, and owner billings accurately and on time.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with public agency owners, inspectors of record, architects, and trade partners.
• Cook with the project Superintendent to ensure alignment between office and field on scope, schedule, and quality.
• Lead project meetings, maintain accurate documentation, and provide regular reporting to ownership and leadership.
• Manage project closeout, including punch list completion, final inspections, DSA closeout, and owner turnover.
• Participate in preconstruction efforts including estimating support, scope review, and project planning.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of project management experience with a commercial general contractor, with a strong emphasis on publicly funded work.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects subject to DSA oversight, public contract law, and prevailing wage requirements in California.
• Familiarity with DIR (Department of Industrial Relations) compliance, certified payroll processes, and public agency owner requirements.
• Experience across one or more of Deacon's core market sectors: Education, Healthcare, Government Facilities, Multifamily and Mixed Use, Hospitality, Retail and Restaurant, Office and Industrial, Senior Living, or Repair and Restoration.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, scheduling, cost control, and subcontractor management.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder — comfortable working directly with public agency owners, inspectors, and design teams.
• Proficiency in Procore or similar project management platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred.
• OSHA 30 certification preferred.