Project Manager

Project Manager

Bednark Studio is seeking experienced Project Managers to lead custom fabrication projects from initial scope and planning through production, delivery, and closeout. Bednark Studio is known for delivering complex, high-quality projects on tight timelines. Our Project Managers play a critical role in balancing client service, production execution, and budget management while coordinating the many teams required to bring a project from concept to completion. Regardless of level, our Project Managers are expected to communicate clearly, manage time effectively, build strong and trust-based client relationships, and keep engineering and production processes moving efficiently. Depending on experience and level, Project Managers may oversee approximately $2M–$4.5M+ in annual project volume and independently manage projects ranging from approximately $250K to $1.5M.

What You'll Do:

Client Management:

• Lead day-to-day communication with clients and serve as a primary point of contact throughout the project.
• Build strong client relationships through clear, proactive, and solutions-oriented communication.
• Evaluate and interpret client feedback and translate it into actionable direction for internal teams.
• Communicate consistently and effectively on behalf of the shop.
• Identify project challenges early and work collaboratively with clients and internal teams to develop solutions.
• Develop build approaches that balance client goals, budgets, timelines, and shop capabilities.
• Recommend materials, finishes, hardware, construction methods, and off-the-shelf solutions when appropriate.
• Help guide clients through construction and fabrication decisions when additional technical expertise is needed.

Production Management:

• Analyze project scope and develop an actionable plan for production.
• Lead coordination between Draftspeople, Designers, Fabricators, Scenic teams, subcontractors, and other production partners.
• Analyze projects for constructability and value-engineering opportunities.
• Identify production challenges and collaborate with Department Leads to develop solutions.
• Drive projects through established production processes to maintain efficiency, quality, and schedule.
• Develop and track samples, mockups, and required approvals.
• Coordinate change orders and maintain documentation of scope changes and approvals.
• Maintain accurate and current project documentation, including estimates, element lists, and work-back schedules.
• Oversee quality control throughout fabrication.
• Perform material takeoffs and coordinate purchasing requirements for materials, goods, and outside vendor services.

Budget Management:

• Identify and define Bednark's Scope of Work (SOW).
• Develop and maintain project budgets and estimates.
• Maintain current quotes as scope evolves and change orders are approved.
• Review vendor and subcontractor quotes for scope and budget alignment.
• Monitor project costs and identify potential financial risks.
• Manage projects in alignment with established financial and margin expectations.

What We're Looking For:

• Project management experience in custom fabrication, experiential production, retail fabrication, architectural millwork, or a related environment.
• Understanding of fabrication, construction methods, materials, hardware, and finishes.
• Ability to read, interpret, and redline technical drawings.
• Experience coordinating projects across technical, creative, and production teams.
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship-management skills.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and solve problems in a fast-paced production environment.
• Experience developing or managing project scopes, estimates, budgets, and change orders.
• Experience working directly with fabrication and production teams in a shop environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with project management or construction software is a plus.

Project Manager Levels:

We hire Project Managers at multiple levels based on experience, demonstrated capabilities, project complexity, financial ownership, leadership, and ability to independently manage projects.

Project Manager I | $85,000–$90,000:

Typically 1–3 years of relevant project management experience. At this level, PMs are developing their client and budget-management capabilities while independently managing smaller projects and building experience across increasingly complex work.

Project Manager II | $90,000–$100,000:

Typically 2–4 years of relevant project management experience. PMs at this level independently manage larger projects, demonstrate solid budget and account-management capabilities, and are beginning to take on greater leadership responsibility.

Project Manager III | $100,000–$110,000:

Typically 3–5 years of relevant project management experience. PMs at this level independently lead complex projects, demonstrate strong financial and production management capabilities, and provide confident leadership across clients and internal teams.

Project Manager IV | $110,000–$120,000:

Typically 4+ years of relevant experience with a demonstrated history of managing large, complex fabrication projects. PMs at this level operate with a high degree of independence, demonstrate advanced client, production, and budget management capabilities, and lead projects with significant scope and complexity. Placement within the range is based on relevant experience, demonstrated project management capabilities, the size and complexity of projects previously managed, client-facing experience, financial and budget ownership, and overall alignment with the expectations of the role.