Construction Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Project Manager Construction / MEP (Non-IT)

Job Description

This contract Project Manager role focuses on managing capital and facilities projects at a single commercial and industrial site with labs in San Diego, California. You will work full time on site and lead projects from planning through close-out, with a strong emphasis on construction, MEP systems, cost control, and stakeholder coordination. The position is initially a one-year contract with potential for extension and offers the opportunity to manage projects ranging from mid-size capital improvements to large-scale remodels.

Responsibilities

• Manage regional capital and facility projects at a single site, providing full lifecycle oversight from initial concept through close-out.
• Serve as the owners representative for assigned projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Support end-to-end solutions for each project or portfolio of projects, including planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Follow the established internal IDEA process and adhere to all internal project management standards and procedures.
• Attend required internal trainings throughout the year to stay current on processes, systems, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee construction managers, strategic equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, commissioning agents, and other professional firms required for successful project delivery.
• Develop and submit Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR) and Purchase Orders using established internal systems.
• Lead CAR discussions with business stakeholders to support go/no-go decisions and secure approvals for project funding.
• Implement cost-saving measures and value engineering solutions to enhance project profitability and overall value.
• Collaborate using the organizations established software solutions to manage schedules, budgets, documentation, and communication.
• Review and approve vendor invoices for payment within established policies and systems.
• Provide oversight for safety, quality of work, schedule coordination, budget management, cash flow, and project close-out activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal clients, partners, and stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with end users and facilities management teams to incorporate requirements related to MEP, HVAC, BMS, security, lab equipment, and other facility systems into project scopes and designs.
• Organize and conduct meetings with diverse audiences, including project teams, core teams, and steering committees, fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment.
• Ensure clear, consistent communication among all stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and issues.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor construction progress, verify quality of work, and ensure adherence to plans, specifications, and safety standards.
• Assist in identifying, mitigating, and resolving project-specific issues, delays, and disputes to keep projects on track.
• Perform scoping, oversee estimating, and develop schedules for future projects, ensuring realistic timelines and budgets.
• Maintain long-range financial plans (LRFP) for the campus, integrating upcoming projects and capital needs into multi-year planning.
• Apply core project management competencies, including master planning, feasibility studies, business case support, design development coordination, cost estimating, budgeting, procurement, tendering, scheduling, communications, quality control, document control, cost management, change control, progress reporting, dispute resolution, contract administration, safety and compliance management, operations control, and commissioning.
• Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate, and properly controlled throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement in project execution by capturing lessons learned and applying best practices to future work.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of experience in owners representative project management, preferably on capital and facility projects.
• 5 to 10+ years of experience working for a general contractor in commercial or industrial construction.
• Strong construction contractor experience with hands-on experience delivering commercial projects.
• Demonstrated experience with MEP-related projects, including mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Experience managing projects in commercial or industrial facilities; residential experience alone is not sufficient.
• Proficiency in project planning and execution, including scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to manage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Proven stakeholder management capabilities, including coordination with end users, facilities teams, and external partners.
• Ability to coordinate multiple professional firms such as construction managers, architects, engineers, and commissioning agents.
• Experience implementing value engineering and cost-saving measures without compromising quality or safety.
• Ability to develop and manage Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR) and project budgets.
• Competence in reviewing and approving vendor invoices and managing project cash flow.
• Proficiency with Excel and general project management tools for tracking schedules, budgets, and progress.
• Strong focus on safety, quality control, and compliance with applicable standards and procedures.
• Ability to perform master planning, feasibility studies, and business case support for capital projects.
• Experience in contract administration, change control, and dispute resolution within construction projects.
• Ability to manage project close-out and commissioning activities, ensuring a smooth transition to operations.
• Willingness and ability to work full time on site with no remote work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or similar technical experience is highly beneficial.
• Experience with HVAC, BMS, security systems, and lab equipment integration within facility projects.
• Experience managing projects in environments with laboratories or specialized technical spaces.
• Familiarity with long-range financial planning (LRFP) for campuses or multi-building sites.
• Experience leading steering committees or core project teams in a structured governance environment.
• Comfort working with internal proprietary systems and processes; specific software experience is not required as training will be provided.
• Ability to adapt to evolving project scopes and manage multiple projects or portfolios simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail in documentation, reporting, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative working environment and build trust with cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

This role is fully on site at a large commercial and industrial facility with laboratories in San Diego, California. No remote work is available. The Project Manager works at a single site, overseeing projects that typically range from approximately $500,000 to $1 million, with some larger initiatives such as major remodels or significant MEP upgrades (for example, generator installations, cooling tower projects, or large-scale remodels) that can reach up to around $30 million and involve broader project teams. The facility includes complex building systems such as MEP, HVAC, BMS, security, and lab equipment, requiring close coordination with technical and facilities staff. The standard shift is generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility as needed to support project demands and site activities. Free parking is available on site. The work environment emphasizes safety, quality, and compliance, with regular field visits to active construction areas. The organization provides training on internal systems and processes, and there is no specific software requirement beyond general proficiency with tools such as Excel and project management applications. The setting is professional and collaborative, with frequent interaction among project teams, end users, and facilities management.

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.