Retail Construction Project manager

At David Nice Builders, we craft construction masterpieces through integrity, enduring relationships, and passionate people. Join our growing team and help us deliver exceptional retail construction projects that exceed client expectations!

Position Overview

We're hiring a Retail Construction Project Manager to own the full lifecycle of retail construction projects from pre-construction through closeout. This is an office and field role with travel to jobsites and client meetings required. Retail construction is a specific discipline, and for the right person it is exactly where they want to be. Schedules are tight, the pace is relentless, and no two projects unfold the same way. Drawings evolve, scope shifts, and the opening date holds regardless. Clients and landlords are invested and engaged, which means the project team operates with real stakes and real visibility. If that environment brings out your best, and you take genuine satisfaction in delivering under pressure and keeping everything moving when others can't, this role was built for you. If you have managed in that environment and know how to hold your commercial position, keep the client relationship intact, and support a field superintendent who is executing independently at a distance, we want to talk.

This role manages multiple concurrent projects, balances commercial judgment with organizational discipline, and serves as the primary support structure for the superintendent in the field. That last part is not a secondary responsibility. How well the PM supports the superintendent has a direct effect on project outcomes and team retention, and we treat it that way.

The company manages a range of project complexity and considers candidates from developing PMs through seasoned professionals. Composure, commercial judgment, and organizational discipline are weighted alongside years of experience.

What You'll Do

Estimating and Pre-Construction:

• Partner with estimating on assigned bids, review plans and specifications, flag unusual scope items, and ensure complete sub coverage.

• Confirm mall criteria, permit costs, and bid-specific requirements are captured before submission.

• Attend bid review meetings and contribute prior-experience input to produce an accurate, competitive estimate.

Project Award and Contract:

• Read and fully understand each contract including pay terms, liquidated damages, period of performance, and special requirements.

• Confirm the contract matches the agreed proposal, and ensure a signed contract or LOI is in place before work proceeds.

• Translate contract and specification requirements into subcontract scopes with clear inclusions and exclusions.

Project Start-Up:

• Lead the internal start-up meeting, coordinate permitting, verify insurance and licensing, and confirm the latest plan set with all addenda.

• Develop the safety plan with the safety officer, confirm client billing cycles, and build the schedule of values with the PA and CSM.

• Include the superintendent from the start and align the full project team before mobilization.

Schedule Management:

• Build the project schedule in MS Project with preliminary scheduling underway at contract negotiation where possible.

• Review and update the schedule weekly with the superintendent, using three-week lookaheads and clear milestones through closeout.

Superintendent Support:

• Once the job leaves the office, the superintendent executes it. Your job is to make sure they can.

• Stay reachable, stay steady, and when problems arise on difficult jobs, listen and help.

• Keep direction in writing, confirm daily reports and safety talks are being completed, and maintain communication and alignment between field and office.

Subcontractors and Suppliers:

• Write specific contract scopes, award subcontracts before project start with no scope gaps, and issue purchase orders early for long-lead materials.

• Vet unfamiliar subs, keep qualifier packages current, and accurately review and approve invoices in Vista.

• Drive honorable buyout to meet or beat budget.

During Construction:

• Review budgets daily, submit the weekly PM report by Monday noon covering profit and loss, billing, change orders, issues, and schedule.

• Manage RFIs, submittals, and change orders proactively. Get CO requests signed before work is performed.

• Lead project meetings as productive exchanges and ensure quality control expectations are met and exceeded.

Closeout:

• Manage closeout with the CSM and PA, producing the closeout binder within 45 days.

• Complete an internal pre-punch one week ahead of the official list, obtain all final sign-offs, and ensure DNB is represented at punch walk and final turnover.

What We're Looking For

• Typically 5 or more years of construction management experience. Retail construction experience is a strong plus, not a hard requirement.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in the $500K to $15MM range.

• Composure under pressure. You maintain sound judgment when clients and timelines get difficult.

• Strong commercial instincts: budget management, cost tracking, change order pricing, and scope defense.

• Excellent written and verbal communication with clients, subcontractors, and field teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and MS Project. Procore and Vista experience is a strong plus.

• An organized self-starter who manages time and priorities independently across a portfolio.

• Willingness to travel to jobsites and client meetings, typically one to three times per project.

You Might Be a Great Fit If You Are:

• A retail construction PM ready to join a company that runs structured operations and takes the PM role seriously.

• A commercial construction PM from an adjacent vertical, healthcare, hospitality, office TI, who is ready to bring that experience into retail.

• A strong assistant PM or field engineer who has been running projects in everything but title and is ready to make it official.

• Someone who takes genuine ownership of project outcomes and does not need to be chased to stay on top of their portfolio.

Why Join Us?

• Compensation commensurate with experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan with 20% match

• Paid time off and company holidays.

• A family-oriented company with a healthy, people-first work culture.

• Work on a growing portfolio of retail construction projects with a team that takes quality, relationships, and professionalism seriously.

• A company that invests in its people and promotes from within.