Construction Manager - Owner's Construction Representative

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Atwell, LLC is a bold leader in the consulting, engineering, and construction services industry, delivering a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate & land development, and energy markets. We have a strong national presence and a diverse, award-winning project portfolio. Atwell is a privately owned company, with 2,000+ passionate team members across 75+ locations and growing!

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2025awards:

• Ten consecutive years in a row as a "Best Place to Work" by Zweig Group (#11)
• Recognized as #70 in the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, ranked in every region
• Recognized in Crain's "Fast 50" as one of the fastest-growing companies (#14)
• Recognized as the 2025 ENR Design Firm of the year for the Southeastern US
  

Job Summary

The Construction Manager serves as Atwell's Owner's Construction Representative for client pavement and roadway rehabilitation programs, supporting pavement assessment review, rehabilitation planning, procurement, construction-phase coordination, budget and schedule oversight, reporting, closeout, and warranty-phase services. This role reviews pavement condition data, plans, budgets, and schedules with Owner, design, and construction teams to recommend rehabilitation strategies, identify constructability, budget, and schedule concerns, and develop mitigation strategies to reduce project risk.

The Construction Manager coordinates horizontal construction activities, including roadway, pavement, drainage, and civil/site improvements, with design consultants, paving and specialty contractors, municipalities, governmental agencies, suppliers, vendors, utility providers, and Owner stakeholders to maintain project schedules, control budgets, resolve issues, and support successful project delivery consistent with approved plans, specifications, contracts, and Owner expectations. The role supports recurring, multi-site programs for repeat clients, requires frequent short-duration travel, and may support other civil and site development projects as needed.

This position provides advisory construction management services on behalf of the Owner. Atwell does not act as the Contractor or Constructor and does not supervise, direct, or control contractor means, methods, techniques, sequences, procedures, site safety programs, site security, or contractor personnel.

Owner Representation and Client Relationships

• Serve as Atwell's client-facing Owner's Construction Representative for assigned pavement programs and other construction management projects.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with repeat program clients; client confidence directly supports program renewals and new work.
• Coordinate communication among Owner stakeholders, community and property managers, contractors, design consultants, municipalities, utility providers, and internal Atwell resources.
• Identify risks, resolve issues, and escalate items requiring Owner direction or approval.

Pavement Assessment and Program Planning

• Review pavement condition data gathered with AI-based pavement assessment technology and help interpret condition ratings.
• Prepare preliminary cost estimates and budgets for rehabilitation plans to support Owner decision-making and bid evaluation.
• Work with pavement program leadership to develop rehabilitation action plans, recommending treatments such as crack sealing, seal coating, patching, mill and overlay, and full-depth reconstruction.
• Evaluate drainage, catch basins, curb and gutter, and other roadway elements that affect the scope and longevity of repairs.
• Help prioritize multi-year rehabilitation programs within the Owner's annual budget.
• Bring forward new tools, technologies, and methods that could improve how Atwell assesses and delivers pavement work.

Procurement and Bidding

• Prepare and issue bid packages for pavement and civil work; manage bid solicitation, bidder coordination, RFIs, clarifications, and addenda.
• Assist with contractor vetting and prequalification, including qualifications, relevant experience, safety history, bonding, and insurance.
• Perform bid leveling to identify scope gaps, exclusions, unit pricing differences, alternates, and allowances.
• Prepare comparative bid summaries and written contractor recommendations to the Owner based on cost, scope, schedule, risk, and overall value.
• Recommend value engineering and cost-saving alternatives while maintaining Owner objectives.
• Support contract readiness, including insurance documentation, Owner review of contract documents, and final budget confirmation.

Construction Management and Coordination

• Schedule and lead pre-bid and pre-construction meetings with contractors, Owner stakeholders, and other project participants.
• Conduct periodic site visits during construction to observe progress, quality, and conformance with plans and specifications.
• Identify deficiencies and nonconforming work, and track corrective actions through completion.
• Coordinate required inspections, testing, permits, and agency requirements with regulatory authorities.
• Manage or coordinate RFI, submittal, testing, inspection, and project documentation processes.
• Support other civil and site development construction management projects when pavement program workload allows.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare progress reports for Owner stakeholders covering completed work, upcoming activities, schedule, budget, open issues, risks, and required Owner decisions.
• Lead project meetings, prepare agendas, track action items, and document decisions.
• Maintain an organized project documentation repository for reports, RFIs, submittals, change orders, payment documentation, inspection records, and closeout materials.

Budget, Change, and Payment Management

• Monitor project and program budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts, allowances, contingencies, and potential cost exposure.
• Review, evaluate, and negotiate contractor change order requests; identify cost, schedule, and scope impacts for Owner approval.
• Review contractor payment applications, sworn statements, lien waivers, and retainage; recommend approval, withholding, or adjustment of payments.
• Prepare reconciled budget updates, final cost summaries, and payment recommendations.

Closeout and Warranty

• Conduct punch list walk-throughs and final inspections with Owner stakeholders and contractors; track completion of corrective work.
• Confirm completion of testing, inspections, agency approvals, and permit closures.
• Assist with final contractor payments, retainage release, and project closeout documentation.
• Coordinate warranty inspections and follow-up correction items.
• Conduct lessons-learned reviews to improve future program delivery.

Travel and Work Environment

This role requires frequent, short-duration travel to client sites across the country. A typical trip is a single day for a pre-bid meeting, pre-construction meeting, site visit, or final inspection, with a return home the same or next day. Back-to-back trips within the same week are common during the construction season.

This is not a resident field position. The Construction Manager does not remain on a single job site for extended periods; most program management, bid analysis, and reporting is performed between site visits.

Required Competencies

• Working knowledge of how roads are built, maintained, and repaired, including asphalt and concrete pavement, base and subgrade, drainage, and catch basins.
• Ability to interpret pavement condition data and translate it into practical, budget-conscious rehabilitation recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead client-facing meetings and build lasting client relationships.
• Knowledge of construction drawings, contracts, specifications, schedules, budgets, RFIs, submittals, change orders, pay applications, and closeout documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple active projects and client programs at once, often in different locations.
• Versatility to support a range of civil and site development projects beyond pavement work.
• Openness to new technology and a willingness to suggest better tools and processes.
• Sound judgment, accountability, follow-through, and the ability to escalate cost, schedule, scope, quality, or risk matters appropriately.

Education / Experience

Required

• Seven plus (7+) years of construction management, Owner's representative, construction administration, or project management experience in horizontal construction.
• Substantial experience managing road and pavement construction or rehabilitation. Relevant backgrounds include pavement maintenance and rehabilitation programs, municipal or DOT roadway projects, and residential, multifamily, or commercial land development with significant roadway scope.
• Experience with bid solicitation, bid leveling, and contractor recommendations.
• Experience reviewing construction documents, budgets, schedules, contracts, change orders, payment applications, RFIs, submittals, and closeout documentation.
• Willingness to travel frequently on short trips.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Ten plus (10+) years of relevant experience.
• State DOT certification or roadway construction inspection experience.
• Experience with pavement management or condition assessment tools, especially AI-based or automated systems (such as Vialytics). Experience with traditional rating systems such as PASER or PAVER is also welcome.
• Experience with recurring, multi-site programs for repeat clients.
• Broader civil and site development experience (grading, storm and sanitary utilities, site improvements).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, and scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project.
• OSHA 30 or related construction safety training.

Scope of Authority

• Has authority to work independently as Atwell's Owner's Construction Representative within the assigned project scope and Owner-approved direction.
• Coordinates project stakeholders and Atwell resources to support Owner objectives, schedule performance, budget control, issue resolution, and project delivery.
• Makes recommendations to the Owner regarding pavement rehabilitation treatments, contractor selection, bid evaluation, value engineering, project risks, change orders, payment applications, schedule impacts, budget impacts, and corrective actions.
• May make initial decisions regarding contractor claims, disputes, deficiencies, nonconforming work, and contract interpretation on behalf of the Owner within established thresholds, escalating items affecting cost, schedule, scope, quality, or risk as required.
• Does not supervise, direct, or control contractor means, methods, techniques, sequences, procedures, jobsite safety, site security, or contractor personnel.

Disclaimer 

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

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Pay Range

$100,000—$140,000 USD

Atwell Benefits: To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs.

Work/Life:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
• Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based on your travel preferences

Compensation:

• Competitive Compensation packages 
• Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
• 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation 
• Tuition Assistance
• Student Loan Repayment 
• Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals
• Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure
• Employee Referrals 
• Annual Wellness Reimbursement for anything wellness related (Gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.)
• Dependent Care Match

'Atwell'ness:

• Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), and Vision (VSP)
• Family Planning & IVF Benefits
• Pet Insurance
• Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options
• Employer paid LTD, STD, and life insurance
• Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness
• Member Assistance Program (MAP) with complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services