Commercial Project Manager (Charleston)

Retained Search: Senior/Project Manager // Elite Charleston Boutique GC

The KYDA Advantage: Why we are representing this firm.

At KYDA Partners, we don't just fill vacancies; we build the core teams of the best and most ambitious construction firms throughout the US.

We have been exclusively retained by the leadership of this boutique firm to identify their next Commercial Project Manager . Our relationship with this client is deep-rooted; having already placed several superstars within their organization, we have a unique understanding of their culture, their technical standards, and their long-term roadmap.

• Direct Access: We are working directly with the two Founding Partners. Your inquiry won't sit in an HR portal.
• Total Confidentiality: We understand the tight-knit nature of the Charleston market and our client. We manage every step of this process with the highest level of discretion.
• Insider Context: We’re looking for a partnership beyond the items listed on a job description and will provide the unrehearsed truth about the firm’s trajectory, their current pipeline, and why they are winning legacy projects over the city's largest GCs.

The Opportunity: Why this firm exists and where they are going .

Our client is a premier, owner-led General Contractor that has spent the last five years quietly redefining the Charleston landscape. Founded by well respected Tier-1 Big GC Executives, the firm was built on a simple but rare premise: applying the technical rigor and professional standards of a national powerhouse to a nimble, relationship-driven boutique environment. They don’t chase volume; they scale with intentionality.

The Partners bring a different kind of pedigree to every project, meaning they will possess the technical teeth to win high-stakes contracts over the region's largest firms. However, they have stripped away the corporate red tape, replacing bureaucracy with a culture of unrehearsed pride, absolute autonomy, and a surgical approach to construction.

The Portfolio Spread: This is a firm that refuses to be pigeonholed and secures projects with gravitas. Their footprint moves seamlessly across a diverse portfolio in the Lowcountry:

• Civic & Legacy Landmarks: Leading the charge on once-in-a-generation public-private partnerships focused on environmental preservation and high-design institutional architecture.
• Surgical Hospitality: Executing high-spec, intricate builds for Charleston’s most exclusive private clubs and luxury hospitality collections.
• High-Velocity Commercial: Dominating the ground-up sector with multi-phase, $20M+ retail complexes and ultra-modern corporate HQs in partnership with the city’s elite design and engineering firms.
• Technical Variety: Solving the logistical puzzles of high-end restaurants one day, and delivering high-velocity, developer-driven entertainment facilities the next.

With a rock-solid pipeline of work that is genuinely meaningful to the Charleston community, the firm is entering its next chapter of growth. We aren't looking for a cog in the machine, we’re seeking a foundational pillar to help drive this trajectory and share in the long-term success of the business.

The Role: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager

The successful candidate thrives on a diverse spread and possesses the ability to execute high-design, architecturally significant work. You will own the full project lifecycle from pre-construction through closeout, proving that you aren't just managing a schedule; you are the primary driver of technical excellence and the chief architect of the client experience.

• Total Project Lifecycle Leadership: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders, managing everything from initial budgeting and value engineering to final permit closeout across multiple Charleston jurisdictions.
• Technical Dirt-to-Key Mastery: Oversee complex civil site work, underground utility redesigns, and structural execution while ensuring that high-design, architecturally significant finishes are delivered with surgical precision.
• Strategic Preconstruction & Buy-out: Lead scope development, subcontractor pre-qualification, and trade-specific negotiations to ensure a seamless transition from the bid to the field operations team.
• Disciplined Schedule & Cost Control: Develop and drive detailed procurement and project schedules to maintain stakeholder accountability and identify opportunities to expedite milestones without compromising quality.
• Collaborative Conflict Resolution: Facilitate active coordination between architects, engineers, and BIM teams to identify design conflicts early, averting impacts to the field and the overall budget.
• Quality: Maintain adherence to the highest standards of quality control, conducting regular site walks to monitor work performance and ensure adherence to rigorous project specifications.
• Risk & Change Management: Closely examine project documents for scope clarity, package change order requests, and review subcontractor applications for payment to proactively manage financial risk.
• Mentorship & Firm Growth: Act as a key stakeholder in the firm’s future by supporting business development pursuits and overseeing the training and development of junior operations staff.

You should consider applying if you want to spend the next chapter of your career building something very special. Apply directly or reach out to Daniel Appleyard for a confidential conversation.

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