Risevoic
Construction Project Manager I
Company : Gilbane
Location : Chicago, IL, 60606
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 31 December 2025
Overview
Do you consider yourself to be a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to work in a team environment on complex projects? Next 150 Construction is seeking a Project Manager I to serve as the on-site project manager responsible for supporting the overall direction, completion and financial outcome for various projects across the Midwest. Next 150 Construction, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilbane, serves as the self-perform, equipment and materials arm for Gilbane Building Company. Your role will be to help supervise/mentor the project staff which may include multiple Project Engineers and Superintendents. This position will be on the job site every day and will be an integral part of not only the Next 150 project team, but will also serve as the foundation of a growing organization beyond the project.
Who are we?
As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on-time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more!
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Who are you?
You are a coach/leader who leads with an inclusive and empathetic mindset. You provide feedback and guidance to help others excel in their current or future roles. You determine priorities, delegate work, and effectively communicate progress. You establish measures to assess the impact, quality, and timeliness of results while praising successes and sharing lessons learned. You build high performing teams by attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining talented individuals through motivation and discipline to maximize impact on the organization and the individual.
You leverage business insights by understanding industry trends, local market/economic conditions, and Gilbane’s business model to make critical decisions and create competitive advantage. You deploy a strategic mindset when considering solutions to long-term opportunities and risks that may develop in the future.
Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Toughmindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.
What’s in it for you?
Gilbane offers employees multi-dimensional training opportunities through a number of resources. While managing your responsibilities to the project, you will be able to enroll in trainings through our award-winning Gilbane University to build leadership and technical skills. In addition, you will with experienced Sr. Project Managers and Project Executives on each job site which provides you with opportunity to learn new industry skills every day. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client in all matters as well as demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership in motivating the project team and maintain a positive work environment
- Manage the project using established project controls and procedures
- Perform constructability and coordination reviews
- Communicate with construction manager, architects and subcontractors related to project risk, timetables, costs/budgets, and change management
- Perform pre-construction planning, scheduling, estimating and cost control
- Prepare monthly reports including cost, schedule, safety, cash flow, etc. for internal and/or external use
- Provide jobsite leadership in the area of safety and quality
- Prepare contingency plans for potential risks, expanding contractual services and project profit
- Work closely with accounting to prepare and review billing
- Attend jobsite coordination meetings
- Work closely with onsite equipment planner and field crew for material and equipment planning and projections
- Work closely with field and labor crew on project planning and projections
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
- BS OR MS degree in Engineering or Construction Management
- 3-5 years of Project Management experience on projects valued at $50 million or larger
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong technical and communication skills are critical
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Knowledge of Procore, Bluebeam and Microsoft Office (preferred)
- Experience coordinating trades and administiring subcontracts
- Estimating experience preferred
- Experience working in a self performing enviroment (having spent time working for a self-performing general contractor)
- Union experience a plus
Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit-sharing/401k plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.
Gilbane is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations: Gilbane does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Gilbane employee. Gilbane will not pay fees to any third party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Gilbane and will be processed accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
In Chicago, certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or OSHA safety training often elevate candidates’ profiles. Local construction firms value credentials that demonstrate expertise in managing complex projects safely and efficiently, especially given strict municipal regulations and union environments.
Chicago’s dense urban setting requires Construction Project Managers to navigate tighter timelines and heightened coordination with unions and subcontractors. Weather considerations and local labor laws also add layers of complexity, demanding strong organizational skills from junior managers on-site.
A Construction Project Manager I typically blends hands-on site leadership with technical oversight, focusing on mentoring junior staff and ensuring project controls. Unlike senior roles, they engage more directly in daily coordination, safety enforcement, and financial tracking on projects valued over $50 million.
Starting as a Construction Project Manager I, professionals often advance toward Senior Project Manager or Project Executive roles by sharpening leadership, strategic planning, and client communication skills. Experience on diverse projects and mastering tools like Procore or Bluebeam accelerates upward mobility.
Daily responsibilities include supervising field teams, coordinating subcontractors, managing schedules and budgets, conducting safety reviews, and preparing detailed progress reports. Active involvement in pre-construction planning and risk mitigation are also critical for success in this role.
Gilbane invests heavily in employee growth through Gilbane University, offering technical and leadership training beyond standard industry offerings. Project Managers I gain mentorship from senior leaders and hands-on experience on high-profile projects, fostering a robust foundation for career advancement.
Gilbane emphasizes integrity, teamwork, and dedication, creating a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. For Project Managers I, this translates into collaborative project teams and ongoing opportunities to contribute to community-shaping developments with a family-owned company feel.
In Chicago, Construction Project Manager I salaries typically range from $80,000 to $110,000 annually, influenced by project size and experience level. Benefits and profit-sharing plans at firms like Gilbane can significantly enhance total compensation packages.
Chicago’s commercial construction market is robust but competitive, especially for entry-level project managers. Candidates with strong technical skills, union experience, and familiarity with local labor practices tend to stand out among numerous applicants.
Managing self-performing projects involves coordinating multiple trades directly, ensuring material and equipment readiness, and maintaining tight control of budgets and schedules. Construction Project I managers must balance hands-on leadership with strategic problem-solving amidst evolving site conditions.