Project manager h1.location_city

Position Overview:

As a boutique real estate development firm with a strong bench of talent in-house; every project is delivered through cultivating a creative vision and experience. We lead the master planning, own the creative direction, and provide interior design in-house. This structure places the PM in a highly collaborative, design-forward environment where execution rigor and creative ambition are equally non-negotiable.

The Project Manager acts as the Owners Representative for a portfolio of residential, commercial, and hospitality projects primarily in the Greater Philadelphia region, but including locations across the U.S.. The role owns the full arc of deliveryfrom feasibility to closeoutwith a responsibility to protect design intent while enforcing budget discipline, schedule accountability, and execution quality.

Reporting to the Project Director, the PM serves as the central decision integrator across internal teams (development, design, finance) and external partners (architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, municipalities). Success in this role requires deep construction knowledge, 5+ years of hands-on experience in architecture, engineering, construction management, or real estate development, and a proven ability in managing overlapping complex projects of various size and scale, high-end client expectations, and close collaboration with internal and external design teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Owners Representation

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Client communication related to budget, schedule, scope, and delivery logistics - with prior alignment from leadership. Clients should be handled with exceptionally high-level care and service.
• Lead projects from pre-development and entitlements through construction and closeout, ensuring continuity of vision and execution.
• Develop project execution strategies (delivery approach, phasing, procurement strategy) aligned with approved scope, budget, schedule, and design intent.
• Act as the central liaison between the client, internal leadership (Project Director, Creative Director, Design Lead), and external teams.
• Identify project risks early (budget, schedule, scope, constructability, approvals) and escalate concerns with clear mitigation options and recommendations.
• Drive projects forward with a calm, thoughtful leadership style that maintains momentum without creating unnecessary pressure on the team.
• Support feasibility analysis during early project phases, including high-level budget validation, schedule viability, and delivery approach assessment.

Budget, Scope & Schedule Management

• Develop detailed master project budgets (soft costs, hard costs, contingencies, allowances) with oversight and approval from leadership.
• Establish and maintain master project schedules, including design, permitting, procurement, and construction milestones.
• Track all project costs against budget; review invoices and pay applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Lead cost estimating, value engineering, and cost-control exercises in collaboration with consultants and contractors.
• Review, level, and analyze contractor bids and proposals; provide award recommendations.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and challenge change orders to protect project value and intent.
• Monitor schedule performance, identify impacts, and proactively implement mitigation strategies.
• Identify scope creep and scope changes, clearly documenting impacts and escalating to the Project Director with recommendations.
• Coordinate closely with the Procurement Lead to align purchasing schedules, delivery sequencing, storage logistics, and cash flow with the master project schedule.

Consultant & Contractor Management

• Manage architects, engineers, and specialty consultants from concept through construction with respect to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Drive design phases forward in close coordination with the Design Lead (Concept, SD, DD, CD), ensuring timely decision-making and resolution of issues.
• Draft, issue, and manage RFQ/RFP processes for consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Oversee contractor performance during pre-construction and construction, holding teams accountable to contract requirements.

Design, Coordination & Quality Oversight

• Lead internal and external coordination meetings during design to ensure all disciplines are aligned toward a complete, coordinated IFC set.
• Review drawings and specifications for completeness, coordination, and alignment with budget and schedule.
• Monitor construction quality and conformance with approved documents and design intent.

Permitting, Approvals & Local Coordination

• Support and coordinate zoning, permitting, and inspection processes in collaboration with consultants, general contractors, and local municipalities.
• Track approvals, conditions, and compliance requirements, ensuring information is routed to the appropriate internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage the General Contractors permitting and inspection responsibilities to align with the project schedule.

Construction Administration & Closeout

• Lead weekly project meetings; prepare and distribute clear meeting minutes, action items, and follow-ups.
• Perform regular site visits during construction to verify progress, quality, and adherence to schedule.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, and change management workflows, ensuring timely review, documentation, and communication.
• Oversee project closeout including punch list completion, certificates of occupancy, warranties, as-builts, and turnover documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Management, Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in real estate development or owners representative project management - with a proven track record of successfully managing and delivering complex, large-scale projects.
• Proficiency in Programs: Scheduling software (Microsoft Project or Project 365) & Microsoft or Google Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc).

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Strong working knowledge of construction means and methods, with the ability to read, interpret, and clearly explain construction drawings and specifications.
• Proven ability to develop and manage project budgets and schedules, supported by strong financial acumen, cost tracking, and budget analysis.
• Contract administration and negotiation expertise, including managing complex consultant and contractor relationships.
• Experience leading internal and external project teams through complex processes, fostering a collaborative, solution-oriented, and accountable working environment.
• Confident, professional communicator able to lead meetings, navigate challenging personalities, and represent ownership effectively with clients and stakeholders.
• Self-directed and proactive, with sound judgment around decision-making, prioritization, and when escalation is necessary.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to manage risk, shifting priorities, and competing demands while remaining calm under pressure.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through; proficient in project management and construction documentation tools.
• Experience delivering residential, commercial, and/or hospitality projects, including complex renovations, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, or other high-end work.
• Background working within boutique, design-driven, or quality-focused development environments.
• Familiarity with local permitting, zoning, and construction practices in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Personal Attributes

• Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Design-literate with respect for aesthetics, quality, and craft.

Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the Project Director.
• Works closely with internal development, design, and finance teams.

Location

This position is full-time and onsite in our office, located in Gladwyne PA.