Senior Project Manager

Role:
Senior Project Manager
Company:
BIG Construction
Location:
Chicago, IL
Reports to:
Principal
Status
Exempt
Salary
$120,000-$150,000
Date:
January 30, 2026

summary

This role is the first step in building a dedicated Self-Perform & Service Work division at BIG. You will help shape the structure, approach, and model for a high-growth business line with clear expectations for year-over-year revenue expansion. This includes developing both the operational foundation and the client relationships that will drive meaningful growth. BIG Construction is a construction management firm specializing in the interior built environment. Founded and led by millennials, we prioritize right-fit solutions over legacy processes and leverage a high-value network to deliver exceptional results. Guided by our core values—Drive, Trust, Ideas, and Build—we’re committed to building meaningful relationships by understanding and addressing the needs of all stakeholders. Our proven process—Ask, Listen & Learn. Align. Budget. Contract. Execute. Retain — ensures every project is approached with curiosity, collaboration, and precision. At our core, our brand promise remains simple: We will ask. We will listen. We will learn. We will deliver. As we evolve and expand our service offerings, we're building a dedicated Self-Perform & Service Work division that strengthens long-term client relationships, improves project continuity, and drives new revenue opportunities.

key responsibilities

Who Thrives in This Role

  • You’re operationally minded, relationship-driven, and energized by building something with structure and momentum. You thrive in fast-moving environments, manage multiple demands with clarity, and know how to translate strategy into coordinated field execution.
  • You’re comfortable in an environment with evolving systems and the need to build processes as the division grows.
  • You thrive in a role that blends client development, field operations, and hands-on project execution.
  • You are energized by clear growth goals and want a role where your impact directly influences revenue expansion.
  • You are comfortable operating in a dual-role capacity, building client relationships and securing work while also supporting field execution and delivering projects.

Where You'll Make Your Mark

Revenue Growth & Market Development

  • Support BIG’s goal of doubling annual revenue in Self-Perform and Service Work year over year.
  • Contribute to achieving the division’s growth targets: Service Work from $5M to $10M and Self-Perform from $700K to $1.4M.
  • Develop and maintain a growing pipeline of service requests, small projects, and self-perform opportunities through client relationships, responsiveness, and proactive outreach.
  • Partner with PM and BD teams to identify new opportunities, expand repeat business, and strengthen recurring client relationships.
  • Maintain accountability for your portion of revenue generation while ensuring high-quality execution in the field.

Division Leadership & Growth

  • Build, organize, and scale the Self-Perform & Service Work division to drive sustainable revenue growth.
  • Develop processes, workflows, and standards that support repeat business, responsiveness, and efficiency.
  • Identify new service offerings and market opportunities that complement BIG’s core construction capabilities.
  • Partner with leadership to establish divisional goals, metrics, staffing needs, and budgets.
  • Help establish the foundational processes, playbooks, and standards for a new and growing division.
  • Recommend staffing needs as the division scales and workload increases.
  • Support the development of structure, workflows, and best practices for future growth.

Operational Oversight

  • Oversee project intake, scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation.
  • Ensure all work is delivered on time, on budget, safely, and aligned with BIG’s quality expectations.
  • Work closely with Project Managers, Service Technicians, and field staff to maintain continuity from proposal to work completion.
  • Spend regular time in the field to evaluate work, support crews, verify scopes, and ensure timely and quality execution.
  • Assist in scoping small projects, coordinating materials, and responding quickly to urgent client needs.
  • Collaborate directly with field staff to maintain productivity, safety, and client satisfaction.

Team Management & Development

  • Delegate workload effectively while providing guidance and accountability.
  • Support hiring, onboarding, and performance development as the division grows.

Client Experience & Relationship Management

  • Serve as a key client contact for post-GMP service needs, warranty work, small projects, and quick-turn requests.
  • Strengthen relationships with existing clients through proactive communication and quality execution.
  • Partner with BD and PM teams to pursue new clients and expand work with current partners.

Project & Financial Management

  • Review scopes, estimates, and proposals.
  • Monitor project costs, margins, labor productivity, and resource utilization.
  • Partner with accounting and PM teams to ensure billing accuracy.

What Building Success Looks Like

  • Division runs smoothly with clear processes, communication, and predictable revenue performance.
  • Clients experience seamless continuity from proposal to work completion.
  • Field teams feel supported, equipped, and aligned with expectations.
  • Revenue growth aligned with BIG’s year-over-year expansion goals.
  • A reliable, diversified pipeline of service and self-perform opportunities supported by strong client relationships.

qualifications & experience

Qualifications & Experience

  • 5+ years of experience in construction, service work, or related fields.
  • Strong understanding of field operations and small project execution.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to read scopes and understand construction documents.

Compensation

  • Salary Range: $120,000–$150,000 based on experience.
  • Bonus Potential: Eligible for a bonus/commission structure based on revenue generated and work secured, with the potential to earn up to 100% of base salary annually.
  • Incentive compensation is directly aligned with revenue impact and the overall growth of the division.
  • Full benefits package per company policy.

knowledge & skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and multitask effectively.
  • Able to apply innovative and effective management techniques in order to maximize employee performance.
  • A thorough comprehension of corporate and industry practices, processes, standards, etc. and the
    impact that they can have on a project.
  • Strong computer skills as well as a familiarity with the programs offered by Microsoft Office.

physical demands

  • Ability to remain in a seated position for the majority of the day while in home office (between 70% - 100% of work time) operating a computer, phone and other office equipment i.e., a copier and computer printer (between 70% -100% of work time)
  • Ability to lift or move supplies, equipment, boxes, documents and materials weighing up to 40lbs (occasionally heavier than 40lbs) in office suite and/or at work sites (i.e. vendor sites, client sites, etc.)
  • Must be able to communicate via phone, email, and in-person with colleagues and professional contacts (i.e. vendors, support service providers, etc.) for the majority of the day (between 70% -100% of work time)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

  • Regular communication with internal and external constituents is required, including occasionally
    outside of regular working hours.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction and/or company sponsorship.

Dollar Limit Approval Thresholds (for applicable roles)

  • Reference BIG Construction Employee Handbook

Working Conditions & Environment

  • May be required to work beyond office hours – some nights and weekends – as required by the needs
    of the department and this position as well as the needs of the organization.
  • Must be able to commute as required from office to job-site locations located within a 100-mile radius
    from office as required. Reference employee handbook regarding mileage reimbursement.

Benefits Include

  • Comprehensive Health Benefits
  • 401(k) Program with Employer Match
  • Personalized PTO

Disclaimer

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties above are not to be considered a complete list of duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Temporary modifications to provide reasonable accommodations do not waive any essential functions of the job requirements.