Senior Project Manager / Project Manager - Commercial Drywall

Location: Gaithersburg, MD / Mid-Atlantic Region
Job Category: Project Management / Construction Project Management
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Minimum Experience: 5+ Years
Travel: Up to 20%
Supervisory Responsibility: Yes

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager / Senior Project Manager - Commercial Drywall to oversee the successful delivery of commercial drywall construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.

This position will be responsible for managing project schedules, budgets, cost controls, estimating, change orders, procurement, subcontractors, client relationships, project documentation, and field operations. The role will work closely with field personnel, Project Engineers, Assistant Project Managers, subcontractors, vendors, clients, and leadership to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have strong commercial construction experience, preferably with a background in commercial drywall, and demonstrated experience leading project teams and managing multiple project priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Manage all aspects of assigned commercial drywall construction projects from planning through completion.

• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, and project controls.

• Establish project priorities and monitor progress against approved schedules and financial objectives.

• Coordinate field and office operations to ensure projects remain on track.

• Identify project risks, schedule conflicts, cost issues, and operational challenges and develop appropriate solutions.

• Make timely and effective decisions to maintain project progress.

• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contracts, drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and company policies.

Contract & Document Management

• Interpret and manage project contracts, drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and change orders.

• Review contractual requirements and ensure project teams understand their responsibilities.

• Maintain accurate project documentation and records.

• Manage RFIs, submittals, transmittals, project correspondence, and other project documentation as required.

• Prepare and maintain project reports, projections, field communication logs, and status updates.

Budget & Cost Management

• Develop and manage project budgets and cost controls.

• Prepare and review pricing for change orders.

• Monitor project costs to date and projected costs to complete.

• Prepare control estimates using current pricing, project requirements, and available estimating tools.

• Track project financial performance and identify potential cost overruns.

• Review and administer invoices, payroll, requisitions, and other project accounting documentation.

• Prepare forecasts and month-end financial reports.

• Work with leadership to maintain project financial goals.

Scheduling & Project Controls

• Develop and maintain project schedules and milestones.

• Coordinate schedules with field personnel, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

• Monitor project progress and identify potential schedule delays.

• Work with field teams to resolve issues affecting production or project completion.

• Adjust project schedules and priorities as project requirements change.

• Maintain effective communication regarding project status, schedule, and risks.

Procurement & Materials

• Coordinate procurement of materials, equipment, and project resources.

• Manage material ordering, delivery, tracking, and availability.

• Coordinate with vendors and field personnel to ensure materials are available when required.

• Monitor material costs and delivery schedules.

• Resolve procurement or material-related issues that could impact project progress.

Field Operations

• Conduct regular job-site visits to monitor construction progress, methods, quality, safety, and project milestones.

• Coordinate with Superintendents, Project Engineers, subcontractors, and field personnel.

• Ensure field operations comply with project specifications, safety requirements, and company standards.

• Identify construction issues and coordinate timely resolutions.

• Maintain strong communication between office and field teams.

Client & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and project stakeholders.

• Represent the company professionally in project meetings, correspondence, and presentations.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders.

• Communicate project status, financial performance, schedules, risks, and issues effectively.

• Support client engagement, marketing, proposals, and business-development activities when needed.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and motivate effective project management and field teams.

• Supervise and provide direction to Project Engineers and Assistant Project Managers.

• At the Senior Project Manager level, provide leadership and mentorship to Project Managers as well.

• Delegate responsibilities effectively and monitor team performance.

• Mentor and train junior project management personnel.

• Participate in internal training programs as an instructor.

• Assist with recruiting and developing project engineering staff.

• Promote collaboration, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong culture of safety across all project activities.

• Ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable safety standards, building codes, regulations, and company policies.

• Communicate project-specific safety requirements to project teams and subcontractors.

• Address safety concerns and coordinate corrective action when necessary.

• Ensure field personnel and subcontractors maintain safe working conditions.

Project Closeout

• Coordinate project closeout activities.

• Ensure required project documentation is complete and properly organized.

• Coordinate final inspections and outstanding corrective work.

• Assist with final payment documentation and project financial closeout.

• Ensure warranties, manuals, and other required project turnover documents are completed.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of commercial construction and project management processes.

• Commercial drywall experience strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of project budgeting, scheduling, estimating, procurement, and cost control.

• Ability to interpret contracts, drawings, specifications, and construction documents.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.

• Strong leadership and team-development capabilities.

• Professional presence with the ability to represent the company effectively with clients and stakeholders.

• Ability to work effectively in both office and active construction-site environments.

• Proficiency with project management and construction software.

• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred.

• 5+ years of construction experience required.

• Experience in commercial construction required.

• Experience with commercial drywall or a related construction trade strongly preferred.

• Project management experience required.

• Candidates for the Senior Project Manager level should have approximately 8-10+ years of construction experience, including at least 3 years in a Project Manager role.

• Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Experience

Experience with the following is highly valuable:

• Commercial drywall construction

• Estimating and cost control

• Change-order management

• Construction scheduling

• Subcontractor management

• Material procurement

• Project forecasting

• Client relationship management

• Construction project documentation

• Field operations

• Government or federal construction projects

Supervisory Responsibilities

Depending on experience and level, this position may supervise:

• Project Engineers

• Assistant Project Managers

• Project Managers

• Field/project personnel

The Senior Project Manager will have greater responsibility for team leadership, mentorship, project oversight, and development of project management staff.

Work Environment

This position involves a combination of office-based project management and active construction-site work.

The office environment may involve extended periods of sitting and working with computers, phones, tablets, and other technology.

Construction-site visits may involve exposure to:

• Uneven terrain

• Varying weather conditions

• Loud construction environments

• Dust and airborne particles

• Active construction equipment

• Potential construction-related hazards

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Sit for extended periods while performing office and administrative duties.

• Walk and stand during construction-site visits.

• Navigate active construction sites and uneven terrain.

• Talk and hear effectively.

• Occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule

Typical hours are Monday through Friday, with flexibility based on project requirements.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during critical project phases or to meet project deadlines.

Travel

Periodic local travel is required to visit:

• Construction project sites

• Client offices

• Vendor locations

Estimated travel is up to 20%, depending on project requirements.