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SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER — LIFE SCIENCES

At Executive Construction, we’re not just building spaces—we’re building a legacy. From our roots as one of Chicagoland’s premier general contractors, our foundation has been shaped by bold vision, strong leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This legacy isn’t just part of our past—it’s the driving force that propels us forward, inspiring a new generation of builders and leaders.

Our Life Sciences practice is one of the most specialized and fastest-growing areas of our business. We deliver complex, highly regulated facilities — from wet labs and cleanrooms to vivarium and biopharma manufacturing — for clients who depend on precision, compliance, and expertise at every phase of a project.

If you’re an experienced leader who thrives in technically demanding environments and wants to be part of a team that takes pride in collaboration and continuous growth, come build your future the Executive Way.

Your Impact

As a Life Sciences Senior Project Manager, you’ll supervise and coordinate multiple complex projects simultaneously within life sciences environments — ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the quality specified, while serving as Executive Construction’s senior representative on the project team. You’ll have direct accountability for leading the delivery of complex, multi-disciplined facilities including wet labs, cleanrooms, vivarium, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biotech R&D environments, and may be asked to train, mentor, and coach Assistant Project Managers (APMs) and Project Managers (PMs). You’ll serve as a subject matter expert on life sciences construction strategies.

Preconstruction

• Lead project team through all preconstruction phases; manage preconstruction through contract execution
• Develop and implement the master project schedule; take an active role in presentation efforts and responses for life sciences clients
• Interface directly with clients to define project requirements, prepare scope of work, oversee cost estimating and budget preparation, and identify project risks
• Serve as subject matter expert on design and construction strategies for architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building management systems specific to life sciences environments
• Lead estimating through preconstruction deliverables from conceptual to GMP

Estimating / Bidding

• Visit the site to familiarize yourself with conditions, including any active lab or regulated environments
• Prepare Conceptual / Schematic / DD estimates and quantity takeoffs
• Manage the distribution of drawings and specifications to subcontractors for bids
• Know how to best leverage Executive Construction’s Self-Perform group (SPE) for our clients
• Prepare bidder’s list of qualified subcontractors and General Conditions estimates; review with Project Team Lead
• Prepare and issue accurate detailed bid spreadsheets; conduct subcontractor scope reviews to identify low bidder and potential project risks
• Manage APMs and PMs to meet the scheduled issuance of deliverables to the client team
• Oversee bid day activities

Proposal / Contracts

• Lead all aspects of the proposal and bidding process; general understanding of contract type, language, and potential risk
• Route client contracts to Project Team Lead and project principal for timely review and follow-up
• Have knowledge of and enforce all terms of the general contract and subcontract agreements
• Develop requests for proposals, negotiate terms and conditions, and manage contract development and award
• Evaluate and administer contract documents to outside construction contractors, including approval of payment applications to the owner

Purchasing

• Prepare and issue or review accurate detailed purchase orders and subcontract agreements; confirm all applicable scopes and general project requirements are accounted for
• Confirm insurance coverage and contracts of all subcontractors before the sub starts work in the field
• Qualify and identify long lead-time items — particularly critical systems such as HVAC, cleanroom components, and specialty lab equipment — and pre-purchase materials as required by schedule
• Award projects and manage trade contracts to qualified contractors using good judgment and fairness

Job Management

• Manage all facets of the project schedule
• Initiate job start-up meetings / weekly progress meetings and prepare job meeting minutes
• Prepare, track, and maintain all budget reports and RFIs
• Prepare, track, and negotiate contract change orders
• Support Superintendents in all areas; visit the project site as required
• Implement change management routines to assess scope changes, secure client approvals, and evaluate impacts to budget, schedule, quality, and risk
• Identify complex project risks, lead constructability reviews, and develop risk mitigation and contingency plans
• Implement project documentation governance aligned with company and client requirements; ensure data integrity across all project records
• Initiate and manage all quality control procedures for the project, with particular attention to regulatory and compliance requirements in life sciences environments
• Lead all phases of the project including planning, scheduling, budgeting, design, construction, owner test fits, and regulatory interaction
• Lead project teams through the decision-making process to deliver high-value, safe, responsive, sustainable, flexible, and robust facilities
• Take initiative regarding risk management and contingency planning related to budget, scope, schedule, or regulatory compliance to prevent negative project impacts
• Support our safety program with Safety Director and Superintendent
• Organize and implement timely project close-out

Accounting

• Manage project payment schedules; prepare PA/CA forms in the CRM
• Prepare and maintain all project financial reports (Major Project Monthly Reports, Labor & Material Tracking Log, PCO Log, Contingency & Allowance Log, Monthly Billings, Quarterlies, etc.)
• Manage cash flow for each project, including payment applications and subcontractor pay requests, ensuring payments are made in a timely manner

Business Development

• Enhance Executive Construction’s reputation with partners through performance
• Expand your network by planning and attending appropriate social, business, and life sciences industry events and forums
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, managers, designers, supervisors, tradespersons, and craft workers
• Gain new opportunities through operational excellence and network expansion within the life sciences and biotech community
• Contribute to the growth of ECI’s Life Sciences practice through industry engagement and relationships with key decision-makers

Training

• Actively participate in Executive Construction’s training program
• Act as mentor and coach for APMs and PMs; contribute to their development and acclimation to company procedures

Life Sciences — Specialized Project Experience

You’ll lead and supervise projects across life sciences facility types including, but not limited to:

• Biology, cell/gene therapy, and chemistry laboratories
• Pharmaceutical and biopharma manufacturing facilities (cGMP/GMP environments); commissioning processes
• Vivarium and biocontainment facilities
• Cleanroom design and construction
• Medical imaging and diagnostic testing laboratories
• Agricultural, food science, and academic research facilities
• Public health and clinical lab environments
• Biotech R&D facilities

What You’ll Gain with Executive Construction

• A People-First Culture — where Performance, Resourcefulness, Integrity, Sensitivity, and Teamwork are the heart of everything we do
• Challenging, High-Impact Projects — lead complex life sciences facilities including cGMP manufacturing, cleanrooms, vivarium, and biotech R&D, locally and nationally, while mentoring the next generation of ECI leaders
• Career Growth and Development — mentoring program, leadership training, and learning and development curriculum
• Competitive Compensation and Rewards — including robust salary packages, performance bonuses, and recognition programs
• Comprehensive Benefits — healthcare, 401K matching, voluntary benefits, various paid time off allowances including maternity and paternity leaves, Employee Assistance Program, and much more
• Work-Life Balance That Works — we believe great work starts with a healthy, balanced life
• A Legacy You’ll Be Proud Of — join a team where you’ll build life-long friendships and work that leaves a lasting impact on clients, communities, and your own career

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency in Project Management Software (e.g., Viewpoint, On-Screen, Bluebeam Revu, Building Connected, MS Project, or similar systems)
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Thorough understanding of contracts, plans, specifications, and regulations — including life sciences regulatory frameworks (cGMP, GMP, FDA guidelines)
• Ability to remain flexible and efficient in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to make intelligent and quick decisions, working well under pressure and when faced with unexpected occurrences or delays
• Ability to effectively analyze and solve problems
• Ability to manage multiple projects across different phases simultaneously and lead multi-site portfolios
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex construction and real estate documents including agreements, leases, work letters, and project charters
• Strong leadership, presentation, and negotiation skills; ability to motivate teams and drive decision-making across complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Must be able to traverse and inspect all areas of jobsites, including active lab and regulated environments
• Must be on-call to address issues at the jobsite
• Ability to travel ~50%

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or similar program preferred AND minimum 7 years of construction management experience OR
• 10 years of construction industry experience
• 5+ years focused on life sciences, healthcare, or lab facilities
• Experience with collaborative, integrated, and lean project delivery methods a plus
• PMP and/or LEED AP certification preferred

Annual Pay Range: $130k-160k

Our Values

Embrace the core values of Executive Construction throughout your daily interactions with internal and external customers.