Project Manager

PROJECT MANAGER

Role Qualities

A successful candidate is organized, focused, and able to proactively plan for and prioritize their work and the work of the project team. This role requires the ability to collaborate with others with a high level of partnership and accountability, as well as the ability to self-motivate and work independently. They enjoy digging into the details and they know when to pick their head up to see the big picture. This role requires a strong interest and aptitude for ongoing learning about homes and their components. Ideal candidates have some industry experience and a high-level understanding of how projects come together. A successful member of the Lewis Creek Builders team is kind, flexible, and dedicated to providing excellent service to our community.

Role Summary

The goal of the Project Manager is to provide clear and cohesive project leadership internally and with our clients from the preconstruction/project development phase through the completion of our residential building and remodeling projects. As a member of our Design-Build team, the PM works closely with our in-house Designers, Developers, Superintendents, and carpentry crews. The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating the work of the project, leading the estimating and project development process, providing excellent project leadership and administration, and stewarding client expectations and experience.

This is a full-time position expected to work 40 hours/week with 80%+ of those hours billable to clients. Site visits and in-person meetings are required on a weekly basis. The position is based in our Essex Junction, VT office, with flexibility to work from 1-2 days per week as feasible within duties. This position reports to the President and is supported by the PM Team Lead.

Project Management Principal Duties

A Project Manager manages multiple projects in various phases of the Design-Build process. The number of projects at one time is dependent on the size/scope and phase of projects.

Estimating and Project Development

• Generate and manage a robust plan for project development using shared tools and systems. Create ambitious but realistic timelines grounded in critical dependencies.
• Facilitate the work of the Design-Build project team toward complete development of a project plan, including specifications, safety and mobilization plans, production schedules, time and materials estimates, and vendor/subcontractor quotations.
• Gather and aggregate necessary information for internal and external collaborators to provide effective guidance and expertise.
• Proactively surface project risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Apply industry knowledge to exploring preemptive solutions and guiding problem solving efforts.
• Capture clear work scope documentation, including written narrative work scopes, mechanical and electrical plans, structural specifications and detailing, and other technical documentation related to construction projects.
• Develop detailed project estimates using design plans and knowledge of existing conditions. Validate cost theories against historical data and engage stakeholders to provide critical feedback and review.
• Maintain a working understanding of company project cost metrics, such as price per square foot by project type, recent costs of fixtures, subcontractor pricing structures, etc.
• Analyze project data and performance to validate and improve cost estimating and project development standards and practices.

Project Leadership and Administration

• Coordinate and direct the work of a multidisciplinary team in service of client and company goals and requirements. This includes advocating for and managing project resources, identifying the need for team discussions, and fostering buy-in to project goals and objectives.
• Forecast the need for and facilitate timely project team decisions informed by the best available information at that time.
• Uphold rigorous standards for documenting, communicating, updating, organizing, and maintaining project information for self and others.
• Facilitate problem-solving and generate solutions to issues and unexpected circumstances in collaboration with project stakeholders.
• Regularly forecast and provide clear and timely analysis of project performance in budget, schedule, and quality of outcomes, compare actual progress against the plan.
• Consistently perform project administration duties with excellence, including maintaining an accurate estimate, progress reporting, capturing change orders proactively, making sure timelines are updated, and communication between collaborators is flowing.
• Coordinate project launch and mobilization, ensuring that all collaborators have what they need. This includes ensuring team members and trades partners have been sufficiently onboarded and oriented to project goals and requirements.
• Diligently manage the project closeout process, ensuring that all aspects of the work, permitting, documentation, and analysis are complete.
• Oversee quality control check points at key moments in the project.
• Plan for, practice, and enforce safety practices and procedures.
• Diligently track and accurately record billable and non-billable time.

Client Expectations and Experience

• Establish warm and professional relationships with clients, grounded in trust and transparency.
• Serve as the “client hub”, presenting as a reliable, accessible, and knowledgeable resource who can connect them to the right information and people best suited to help.
• Establish and consistently update and reinforce shared expectations with the client about their project, company process and practices, and what they should expect from our team and partners.
• Set clients up for success to understand and access what they need to meet their obligations, including invoice payment, decision making, meeting times, etc.
• Facilitate client meetings regarding the project scope, budget, and schedule.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to solicit client reviews and testimonials and professional project photoshoots.

This role may perform other duties as assigned based on skillset and workload capacity.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong computer literacy, working knowledge of spreadsheet tools (Google Sheets).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate the work of a diverse group of people with different skills and backgrounds, adapting to various communication styles and needs.
• Self-motivated and collaborative, with a willingness to learn, contribute, and receive constructive feedback.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management, estimating, design, development, carpentry, or construction management work, or some combination of related experience.
• Some form of construction, design, or parallel industry experience required. Industry experience working with contractors, architects, and/or residential homeowners directly are strongly encouraged to apply.
• General knowledge of residential building and remodeling, including an understanding of building components and how projects come together.

Compensation

This is a salaried position, working an average of 40 hours per week, and earning between $80-120k per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits include:

• Flexible scheduling to accommodate your personal needs provided sufficient notice is given and a schedule can be articulated and mutually agreed upon.
• Reimbursement for non-commuting mileage that is accrued through either traveling between job sites during a workday or for materials or errands that you perform in service to Lewis Creek or our clients. The reimbursement rate is set by the IRS. Mileage reimbursement is not offered for commuting from home to office/jobsite or from office/jobsite to home.
• Six paid holidays: Memorial Day, 4 of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
• After 3 months of working with Lewis Creek we offer two weeks (ten days) paid vacation per year, this amount increases incrementally with years of service. At the same time you are eligible for 5 paid sick/personal days per year.
• A simple IRA plan where we match dollar for dollar up to 3% of your annual gross income that you defer from your salary into your Simple IRA retirement account. Eligibility for participation is 90 days from your start date or $5000 gross salary earned.
• Group short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance paid for by Lewis Creek. Enhanced coverage is available at your own additional cost, at better than market rates.
• Health Benefits, with two plans to choose from, each with a significant employer paid contribution. There is an additional $1000 HRA account made available to all employees, regardless of enrollment in an LCB plan. Eligible FSA account.
• Tools & Equipment Allowance that increases with tenure.
• Additional benefits as outlined in the LCB Employee Handbook.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person