Head of Project Management

Confidential Search - High-Impact Role with a Small, Growing GC We are representing a respected California General Contractor specializing in residential and light commercial work throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County. This is an opportunity to join a lean, high-accountability team where individuals wear multiple hats, work closely with ownership, and directly influence operations, systems, and project execution.

About the role As a Project Manager , you will own the full lifecycle of active construction projects from contract execution through final closeout, with direct responsibility for scope, time, and cost on every job. This role supports a mix of residential remodels, additions, ADUs, Habitat for Humanity projects, and select commercial and public works assignments , requiring someone who can adapt their approach across project types and sizes. Based in Riverside, CA , this is an office-based role with regular field site visits and regional travel throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County . Reporting to the CEO, you will be trusted to lead project delivery with strong financial discipline, proactive communication, and consistent follow-through in a fast-moving environment where organization and accountability matter.

What you'll be doing Manage projects from contract award through closeout by owning scope, schedule, and budget , coordinating subcontractors and vendors, and keeping work aligned with project requirements and client expectations.

Build and maintain project schedules using baseline planning and Gantt-style scheduling , monitor critical path impacts, and drive recovery plans when timelines begin to slip.

Own project financial performance through budget management, cost-to-complete forecasting, variance analysis, cost code tracking, and gross margin visibility across active jobs.

Administer subcontractor and vendor activity, including subcontract execution, compliance verification such as COIs, licenses, and DIR registration where applicable , pay application review, and performance follow-up.

Maintain strong documentation discipline by reading and interpreting plans and specifications, issuing and tracking RFIs, submittals, change orders, and daily logs , and preserving records that support project clarity and risk management.

What we're looking for Demonstrated success in construction project management , including the ability to independently oversee active jobs and keep multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and deliverables moving in coordination.

Strong command of the three pillars of project delivery: scope, time, and cost , with the judgment to identify risks early and take action before issues grow.

Clear financial literacy in construction, including comfort discussing gross margin , managing project budgets, understanding cost codes, and distinguishing committed costs from actual spend.

Solid technical ability to read architectural, structural, and MEP drawings , interpret specifications and contract documents, and recognize issues that could affect execution, pricing, or schedule.

Professional communication style with a high level of responsiveness, accountability, and follow-through when working with clients, architects, engineers, inspectors, leadership, and field partners.

What you'll need Minimum 3 years of construction project management experience , ideally with a small-to-mid-size general contractor.

Proven ability to manage project budgets, forecasting, cost tracking, variance analysis, and change order administration .

Ability to answer practical plans-reading and basic construction questions and apply that knowledge in real project conditions.

Experience preparing and delivering weekly project reporting that includes schedule status, labor or subcontractor updates, budget visibility, and project issues.

Familiarity with construction management software such as Buildertrend, Procore, or similar, along with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Ability to work in a combination of office and field environments , including walking active jobsites, climbing ladders, wearing required PPE, and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds.

Strong integrity, sound judgment, self-management, and a dependable approach to handling sensitive client and financial information.

What we offer Full-time, exempt opportunity based in Riverside, CA with a mix of office work and field site visits

Performance bonus tied to project gross margin performance

Mileage reimbursement for project-related travel, with company vehicle eligibility evaluated after probation

Exposure to a diverse portfolio including residential remodels, additions, ADUs, Habitat for Humanity work, and select commercial/public works projects

Direct partnership with leadership in a role that offers meaningful ownership over project outcomes and operational improvement