Project Manager - Education Construction

The Project Manager will oversee education construction projects from preconstruction through closeout, including new school builds, additions, renovations, and occupied campus work. This role requires strong coordination skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage schedules around academic calendars and active school environments.

Client Details

Our client is a highly respected, mid-sized General Contractor with a strong presence throughout the West Suburbs, including Lisle and surrounding communities. They specialize in delivering high-quality K‑12 and higher education projects and are known for their long-standing relationships with school districts, architects, and municipal partners.

Description

This Project Manager will be responsible for:

• Manage multiple K‑12 and higher education projects from preconstruction through completion
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, and cash flow projections
• Lead preconstruction efforts including estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, and bid leveling
• Coordinate with Superintendents to ensure alignment between project planning and field execution
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, contract negotiation, and buyout strategies
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, and pay applications
• Maintain proactive communication with owners, architects, engineers, and school administrators
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, drawings, specifications, and local codes
• Monitor project risk, cost controls, and schedule impacts in occupied or phased construction environments
• Lead owner and design team meetings and provide detailed project reporting
• Support project closeout, commissioning, and turnover documentation

Profile

An ideal Project Manager will have:

• 5-10+ years of experience as a Project Manager in commercial construction
• Prior experience with K‑12, higher education, or public-sector projects strongly preferred
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets and schedules in occupied or phased environments
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, and sequencing
• Experience leading preconstruction and managing subcontractor buyout
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, Excel, and project management software
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to lead teams while supporting field operations

Job Offer

We will provide our Project Manager with:

• Base salary $120,000 - $140,000
• Annual performance-based bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• PTO and paid holidays
• Long-term growth opportunities into Senior Project Manager roles

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

This Project Manager will be responsible for: • Manage multiple K‑12 and higher education projects from preconstruction through completion • Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, and cash flow projections • Lead preconstruction efforts including estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, and bid leveling • Coordinate with Superintendents to ensure alignment between project planning and field execution • Oversee subcontractor procurement, contract negotiation, and buyout strategies • Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, and pay applications • Maintain proactive communication with owners, architects, engineers, and school administrators • Ensure compliance with contract requirements, drawings, specifications, and local codes • Monitor project risk, cost controls, and schedule impacts in occupied or phased construction environments • Lead owner and design team meetings and provide detailed project reporting • Support project closeout, commissioning, and turnover documentation