Project Manager, Construction (Traveling)

Job Description

Job Description

The Traveling Project Manager is responsible for overseeing project execution from design through closeout, driving coordination across permitting, construction, quality control, occupancy, scheduling, and budget management. Recognized for subject matter expertise and collaborative problem-solving, this individual contributes meaningfully to team success while elevating the client experience. This role includes mentoring and guiding junior colleagues in select technical areas, offering support and reinforcing best practices.

The Traveling Project Manager works closely with project leadership to assess scope, anticipate downstream implications of execution decisions, and ensure successful project delivery across diverse project environments and geographic markets.

As a client-facing representative, this individual serves as a trusted advisor to clients while ensuring projects remain aligned with schedule, budget, quality, and operational objectives. The role may support regional and national client programs requiring travel and the ability to effectively manage stakeholders, contractors, consultants, and vendors across multiple locations. 

Responsibilities

Comprehensive Project Execution

• Lead day-to-day management of assigned projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, quality standards, and client expectations are achieved.
• Coordinate activities across design, permitting, procurement, construction, occupancy, and closeout phases.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to support successful project outcomes.
• Lead project execution across multiple geographic markets while adapting to varying project requirements and operating environments.
• Support project mobilization activities and maintain consistency in project delivery across assignments.

Client Communication Strategy

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients on assigned projects.
• Contribute to client-facing communication plans and delivery strategies.
• Support message consistency across stakeholders and recommend appropriate tools and communication methods.
• Build trusted relationships with client representatives, consultants, contractors, and project teams.
• Represent the organization during project meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagements.

Project Documentation & Ownership

• Maintain clarity in task assignment, milestone tracking, and documentation systems.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure deliverables are clearly defined, achievable, and properly supported.
• Maintain detailed project records including decisions, action items, meeting documentation, and project correspondence.
• Ensure documentation standards remain consistent across project assignments.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Create and review progress data and metrics against KPIs, budgets, schedules, and project objectives.
• Share relevant insights with internal stakeholders to facilitate informed decision-making and timely course correction.
• Monitor project schedule performance and milestone completion.
• Identify risks that may impact schedule, budget, quality, or occupancy objectives and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist in developing recovery plans when project goals are at risk.

Contractual Awareness & Operational Compliance

• Understand key contract parameters that influence project delivery.
• Assist with tracking compliance and supporting operational efficiency in alignment with partnership requirements.
• Support project teams in managing risk, contractual obligations, and project controls.
• Escalate concerns appropriately while recommending practical solutions.

Financial Task Execution

• Manage project financial inputs including budget tracking, cost reporting, invoice management, change management, and forecasting analysis.
• Ensure data integrity and accurate documentation for finance teams.
• Monitor expenditures against approved budgets and identify potential variances.
• Support financial accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Construction Coordination & Site Leadership

• Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction progress, quality standards, and milestone achievement.
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, vendors, and client stakeholders to resolve project issues.
• Participate in construction meetings, project walkthroughs, milestone reviews, and schedule coordination efforts.
• Support quality assurance initiatives through observation, documentation review, and issue resolution.
• Assist in project turnover, occupancy planning, punch-list management, commissioning activities, and project closeout.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Identify integration points with client contacts, vendors, contractors, and design partners.
• Foster collaborative relationships among all project participants.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with geographically dispersed stakeholders.
• Escalate concerns when necessary while maintaining a solutions-oriented approach.

Procurement & Relocation Support

• Coordinate procurement activities and relocation efforts in support of project objectives.
• Work with vendors and stakeholders to align procurement schedules and operational logistics.
• Monitor lead times and identify procurement risks that may impact project delivery.

Meeting Preparation & Facilitation

• Participate in and facilitate internal and client meetings.
• Contribute to agenda planning, meeting leadership, and follow-up coordination.
• Capture key decisions and ensure accountability for project action items.
• Adjust communication style appropriately based on audience needs and project complexity.

Documentation Follow-Up

• Maintain detailed records of meeting outcomes, decisions, risks, and open items.
• Drive closure through proactive engagement with responsible stakeholders.
• Ensure project documentation remains current and accessible.

Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing

• Informally coach junior team members in technical areas, project management practices, and organizational standards.
• Share best practices and lessons learned across project teams.
• Provide feedback and support the ongoing development of junior colleagues.

Travel & Mobility Expectations

• Travel is a core component of this role and will vary based on client assignments and project requirements.
• Support projects throughout the United States and other assigned markets as required.
• Travel may range from approximately 25% to 75% depending on project phase, client needs, and portfolio assignments.
• Participate in site visits, client meetings, project reviews, construction milestones, occupancy activities, and closeout efforts.
• Ability to work effectively in unfamiliar project environments while maintaining high standards of client service and project delivery.
• Comfortable building relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders across multiple geographic locations.

Requirements

Experience

• Typically, 7+ years of project management experience in construction, facilities, owner's representation, development, corporate real estate, or related industries.
• Proven ability to manage scope, milestones, budgets, schedules, and deliverables across complex multi-phase projects.
• Experience coordinating project execution through planning, design, permitting, construction, occupancy, and closeout phases.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing metrics and budget data to inform execution decisions.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, markets, or client locations is preferred.
• Experience supporting mission critical, data center, corporate workplace, healthcare, life sciences, industrial, manufacturing, or commercial projects is preferred. 

Skills

• Strong client service orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Organized and detail-driven with effective communication abilities.
• Analytical approach to identifying problems and recommending practical solutions.
• Fluency in project management software and comfort with emerging technology platforms.
• Strong schedule management and project controls capabilities.
• Ability to effectively manage projects within geographically dispersed environments.
• Ability to balance multiple concurrent priorities while maintaining exceptional client service.
• Ability to coach or mentor junior colleagues on tools, standards, and technical fundamentals.
• Strong stakeholder management, coordination, and relationship-building skills.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and resourceful with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Adaptable and resilient in dynamic project environments.
• Collaborative team player who models professionalism and dependability.
• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to excellence.
• Comfortable operating independently while supporting distributed teams and national client programs.
• Willing and able to travel regularly to support client and project needs.
• Supportive contributor invested in team development, collaboration, and continuous improvement.