Senior Construction Project Manager

Senior Project Manager Vanguard seeks an exceptional Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of complex, high-end construction projects where craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail are paramount. This individual will serve as both a strategic leader and execution expert, overseeing projects from preconstruction through closeout while ensuring the highest standards of quality, finish, and client satisfaction. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience managing luxury interiors, premium corporate environments, hospitality, executive spaces, or other projects requiring meticulous coordination of custom finishes, specialty materials, and exacting design standards. They understand that success is measured not only by schedule and budget performance, but by the flawless execution of every detail. The Senior Project Manager will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mutual respect among clients, consultants, subcontractors, and project teams while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality throughout every phase of construction. We are seeking a leader who takes pride in delivering extraordinary spaces, proactively identifies and resolves issues before they impact the project, and maintains a relentless focus on craftsmanship and client experience. The ideal candidate will be a mentor to others, an advocate for continuous improvement, and a trusted partner capable of navigating the complexities and elevated expectations that accompany premier construction projects. At Vanguard, we value professionals who are driven by excellence, embrace ownership, and take pride in creating projects that reflect the highest standards of construction and become a lasting part of our legacy. Key Responsibilities: Develop and maintain detailed project schedules utilizing Microsoft Project or Primavera P6, with particular focus on long-lead procurement items, custom fabrication timelines, specialty finishes, mock-ups, inspections, and client milestone dates. Collaborate with the Superintendent and Assistant Project Manager to update and distribute project schedules on a monthly basis, at minimum, while proactively identifying impacts to critical path activities and finish installation sequencing. Develop initial subcontractor submission requirements and oversee the Assistant Project Manager's management of submittals, ensuring timely review and approval of all shop drawings, finish samples, mock-ups, product data, and material selections. Lead the coordination and communication of project information among clients, architects, consultants, vendors, subcontractors, and internal project teams. Maintain accurate project schedules and progress tracking to reflect current field conditions, procurement status, and milestone completion. Manage project budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and cost controls throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure projects are delivered within budget, on schedule, and in accordance with Vanguard's standards for quality, craftsmanship, and client satisfaction. Review bid documents, issued-for-construction drawings, specifications, finish schedules, and design intent documentation to clearly define project scope and subcontractor responsibilities. Participate in preconstruction and construction management activities, providing constructability reviews, value engineering recommendations, logistics planning, and procurement strategies for premium materials and custom fabricated elements. Oversee subcontractor buyout activities and review trade packages to ensure complete scope coverage, quality expectations, and schedule alignment. Establish and maintain effective communication with clients, owner's representatives, architects, engineers, consultants, vendors, building ownership, expeditors, labor organizations, municipal agencies, and all project stakeholders. Facilitate weekly project meetings and prepare comprehensive meeting minutes documenting decisions, design clarifications, finish approvals, action items, and project risks. Partner closely with Superintendents to coordinate daily project activities, installation sequencing, trade coordination, site logistics, and quality control initiatives. Provide Superintendents with timely information and guidance regarding procurement, financial matters, schedule impacts, and design changes that may influence project execution. Manage contractual obligations and performance expectations of subcontractors, vendors, and specialty trades. Coordinate all required inspections and approvals while ensuring compliance with applicable building codes, safety regulations, and project-specific quality standards. Oversee Assistant Project Managers and Superintendents assigned to projects, providing mentorship, leadership, accountability, and professional development. Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all project documentation, including permits, insurance requirements, safety records, inspection reports, closeout documentation, and owner deliverables. Direct and monitor the procurement process for long-lead materials, custom millwork, decorative metals, stone, specialty lighting, architectural finishes, and owner-furnished equipment to ensure delivery aligns with project milestones. Review and approve submittals, RFIs, change orders, finish samples, mock-ups, and procurement logs generated by Assistant Project Managers. Prepare and issue monthly client billings and pay applications, ensuring accuracy, timely collections, and effective management of accounts receivable. Review subcontractor and vendor invoices throughout the project lifecycle and approve payment based upon progress, quality of work, and contractual compliance. Review subcontractor proposals and manage the preparation, negotiation, and execution of change orders. Proactively identify, manage, and resolve project issues, design conflicts, schedule delays, procurement challenges, and quality concerns before they impact project objectives. Notify the COO and President of any situation affecting project schedule, budget, quality, client satisfaction, or overall project success and develop mitigation strategies accordingly. Communicate schedule impacts, potential delays, and change events to clients and project stakeholders in a transparent and solutions-oriented manner. Quality, Design & Client Experience Serve as the primary steward of design intent, ensuring all work is executed in strict accordance with architectural specifications, approved finish selections, and client expectations. Lead coordination of luxury and high-end interior construction elements, including custom millwork, architectural woodwork, decorative metals, specialty stone, imported materials, architectural lighting, feature ceilings, custom glazing systems, and bespoke finish installations. Establish and maintain rigorous quality assurance and quality control processes throughout construction, with special emphasis on premium finish trades and highly visible architectural details. Conduct regular quality walks with the project team, architect, designers, and ownership representatives to validate workmanship and proactively identify deficiencies before client review. Manage mock-up reviews, finish approval processes, and sample installations to ensure design consistency and execution excellence. Coordinate sequencing and protection plans for completed finishes to prevent damage and maintain project quality standards through turnover. Maintain a highly detailed punch list process focused on achieving exceptional finish quality and minimizing deficiencies at project completion. Anticipate and address design, material, and installation conflicts through early coordination with consultants, manufacturers, fabricators, and specialty subcontractors. Deliver a white-glove client experience through proactive communication, responsiveness, professionalism, and meticulous attention to every aspect of project delivery. Build and maintain strong relationships with architects, designers, consultants, ownership groups, and premium trade partners to support repeat business and future opportunities. Qualifications & Experience: Minimum 7+ years of progressively responsible project management experience with a General Contractor, Construction Manager, Architecture, or Engineering firm, including significant experience delivering premium commercial interiors, luxury environments, or highly detailed fit-out projects. Demonstrated success managing luxury commercial interiors, executive offices, financial services environments, law firms, hospitality spaces, or similarly detail-driven projects where finish quality, craftsmanship, and client experience are critical measures of success. Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Design, Business, or a related discipline; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered. Proven experience managing projects involving high-end architectural finishes, custom millwork, specialty lighting, decorative metals, stone, glass systems, and other premium materials. Demonstrated ability to oversee projects where design intent, finish quality, and client experience are critical measures of success. Strong understanding of construction means and methods, project budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, procurement, scheduling, and contract management. Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to identify, coordinate, and resolve complex technical, design, and construction challenges before they impact project outcomes. Proven leadership experience managing project teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, mentorship, and professional development. Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to effectively engage clients, architects, designers, consultants, subcontractors, and executive stakeholders. Experience managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments while maintaining the highest standards of quality and client service. Proficiency in Microsoft Project and/or Primavera P6, Procore, Microsoft Office Suite, and other construction management software platforms. Thorough understanding of commercial construction practices, building systems, building codes, safety regulations, and quality assurance/quality control processes. Additional Preferred Qualifications Experience managing projects in occupied buildings, luxury corporate environments, executive suites, hospitality, private clubs, law firms, financial institutions, or other high-expectation client settings. Experience leading projects with substantial finish coordination, mock-up reviews, material approval processes, and architect/designer-driven quality standards. OSHA 30-Hour Certification preferred. LEED Accreditation and/or other industry certifications a plus.