Project Manager

Our client is seeking a hands-on Project Manager to lead high-end office buildouts, corporate renovations, and facility upgrade projects from initial concept through final closeout. In this mid-level to senior role, you will be the boots on the ground—planning complex interior fit-outs, driving critical path schedules, and holding external vendors, general contractors, and trades accountable to strict quality and timeline standards. You will own project budgets, contract negotiations, and site oversight while giving executive leadership clear, real-time visibility into project status. If you take pride in delivering construction projects on time, on budget, and to a high standard—this role is what makes that happen, and will give you the opportunity to optimize the daily workplace experience, hybrid-work flexibility, and zero disruption to operational uptime for fellow colleagues. What You'll Do End-to-End Project Ownership: Manage complex commercial office fit-outs and interior renovations across major corporate hubs (Chicago and New York), taking complete ownership of scope, schedule, budget, and quality from concept through handover. Business Case & Scope Development: Partner with internal business leaders to define facility needs, construct initial budgets/schedules, and present trade-off analyses (speed vs. cost, flexibility, hybrid enablement, and operational uptime) to executive leadership. Procurement & RFP Leadership: Drive the full consultant and contractor bidding process—authoring scopes of work, issuing RFPs, leading leveling interviews, and providing final vendor recommendations. Design & Standards Oversight: Direct the design development process alongside architects, engineers, and consultants to eliminate scope gaps, enforce corporate design standards, and review construction drawings. Schedule & Risk Management: Build and maintain detailed master project schedules (sequencing trade dependencies and critical paths) and coordinate with internal operations, IT, and AV teams to ensure zero disruption to ongoing trading/business operations. Financial Control: Track spending against forecasts, evaluate and process change orders, manage invoice approvals, and identify spending efficiencies. Contracts & Site Compliance: Review NDAs, MSAs, and contractor proposals; navigate municipal permitting processes; and coordinate directly with commercial building landlords on building rules, design reviews, and site logistics. On-Site Supervision & Quality Control: Perform regular site inspections to verify trade progress against specs, enforce site safety protocols, and resolve structural or architectural issues early. Closeout & Process Improvement: Lead punch lists, sign-offs, and operations handover; coach junior PMs; and establish scalable SOPs and feedback loops for future corporate buildouts. What You'll Bring Experience & Education: 10+ years of dedicated construction project management experience, with a proven track record delivering high-end commercial corporate interiors, office fit-outs, or mission-critical facilities. Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or equivalent practical field experience. Technical & Management Expertise: Hands-on experience managing General Contractors and trade subcontractors across all phases: bidding, contracting, scheduling, and active job-site supervision. Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex architectural drawings, structural engineering plans, and technical MEP specifications. Working knowledge of commercial leases, landlord negotiations, building codes, permitting, and inspection workflows. Command of project management methodologies with direct experience using software tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Procore, or similar systems. Strong analytical mindset with the ability to navigate technical and organizational boundaries, making data-driven risk/cost recommendations. Flexibility & Communication: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to seamlessly transition from executive stakeholder presentations to on-site contractor coordination. Willingness to travel to active project sites across major US corporate offices as needed. Flexibility to provide on-site supervision during after-hours or weekend shifts for critical site tasks. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience delivering construction projects within occupied or operational high-tech/financial environments with zero operational downtime. Familiarity with digital tools like Procore, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, or REVIT. Working knowledge of low-voltage/data infrastructure, MEP systems, or LEED/sustainability building practices. PMP or comparable professional construction/project management certification. #J-18808-Ljbffr Cornerstone Recruiting