Design Operations Manager Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Irgens develops, constructs, and manages investment-grade real estate for owned and third-party assets. The Construction and Design Operations Manager prepares, negotiates, and administers construction and design contracts, including GC agreements, subcontracts, consultant agreements, and owns the company's construction compliance and risk-policy framework, including documentation, sworn statement, lien waiver, and pay application standards. The role is the primary point of accountability for contract compliance and risk mitigation portfolio-wide, spanning office, office tenant improvement (TI), retail, medical office, ambulatory medical, medical leasing, multi family, commercial building, ground up development, existing portfolio, and other projects across the company's Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arizona markets.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Reports to: Development Department

• Draft, review, redline, and finalize architectural, engineering, and construction contracts, subcontracts, amendments, and change orders for owned-asset projects in coordination with Legal, Development, Construction, and Asset Management leadership.
• Partner directly with Construction and Design Project Managers on predevelopment, active, and prospective projects to organize and track contract compliance obligations, including GC documentation, sworn statements, lien waivers, pay application submissions, and other project deliverables; ensure all deadlines and company standards are met.
• Support preleasing efforts by coordinating design, engineering, and geotechnical activities for prospective projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Construction Project Managers, proactively monitoring project milestones and deadlines and following up on outstanding items.
• Define, maintain, and administer the company's construction compliance and risk-policy standards, including GC documentation thresholds, sworn statement requirements, lien waiver conditions, pay application requirements, certificates of insurance, bonding, and paid-receipt policy, escalating non-compliance to Development and Asset Management leadership and recommending risk-tiered adjustments as project profiles warrant.
• Maintain working knowledge of industry-standard construction contract forms and apply the appropriate form and exhibits to each project type, including design and consultant agreements.
• Track and manage contract logs, insurance certificate expirations, bond status, and compliance documentation across the owned-asset project portfolio.
• Coordinate with Risk Management to evaluate indemnification, insurance, and liability provisions, and to resolve non-standard contract requests or exceptions.
• Review and reconcile contractor pay applications, change order pricing, and lien waiver conditions against contract terms and corresponding pay application provisions in lease agreements prior to payment approval.
• Identify and elevate contractual and compliance risk exposure, disputes, or policy gaps to Development and Asset Management leadership with recommended resolutions.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready contract and compliance files for each project, including as-built records, closeout documentation, and warranty information.
• Develop and refine standardized contract templates, exhibits, and compliance policies to improve consistency and reduce risk across the owned-asset portfolio.
• Partner with Accounting/Finance to ensure contract terms are reflected accurately in draw requests, budgets, and project cost reporting.
• Communicate directly and professionally with general contractors, subcontractors, and consultants regarding contract terms, status, and required documentation.
• Provide guidance and training to project teams on contract administration procedures and compliance standards.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in construction contract administration, construction project management, construction law/paralegal work, or a related commercial real estate/construction role; not an entry-level or general administrative position.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, business, or a related field required; equivalent combination of education and directly related experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• Working knowledge of industry-standard construction contract forms, lien waiver and sworn statement practices, bonding, and insurance/indemnification requirements.
• Prior contract administration experience with a general contractor, developer, owner or owner's representative, or commercial real estate organization strongly preferred.
• Working familiarity with BOMA industry standards (e.g., measurement and classification conventions) required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook; AIA Contract Documents software; and Bluebeam. Familiarity with Avid, Procore, and other GC-PM software is a plus.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple contracts and deadlines simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, track complex project requirements, and follow through on commitments with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with contractors, design consultants, owners, and legal counsel.
• Sound judgment to identify and elevate risk, working independently and exercising discretion on contract and compliance matters.

This position is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The role may include project responsibilities across the company's broader Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arizona markets, with periodic travel to other portfolio properties as business needs dictate.