POSITION SCOPEGA Group Real Estate is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to lead construction, redevelopment, and tenant-improvement activity across a portfolio of retail real estate assets.
This role will support the repositioning and re-leasing of vacant and underutilized retail properties, including former big-box stores and department-store spaces. Projects will range from straightforward tenant improvements and landlord work to complex adaptive-reuse assignments, multi-tenant subdivisions, major renovations, and full-store build-outs for national and regional retailers.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on owner's representative who can move projects from initial site evaluation through closeout and tenant turnover.
This position requires a practical construction leader who is equally comfortable in the field, in lease and budget discussions, and in executive-level project reporting.
Preferred Location: Chicago, IL.
ESSENTIAL DUTIESProject Leadership and Execution- Lead all phases of construction, redevelopment, tenant-improvement, and landlord-work projects across a retail real estate portfolio.
- Evaluate vacant and underutilized retail assets to identify project scope, constructability considerations, capital requirements, schedule implications, and potential risks associated with re-leasing or redevelopment.
- Manage projects from due diligence and preconstruction through design, permitting, bidding, construction, turnover, and closeout.
Leasing and Tenant Coordination- Serve as the construction partner to leasing and asset-management teams during deal structuring, lease negotiation, and project delivery.
- Coordinate with tenant construction, real estate, and facilities teams to align project scopes, design standards, prototypes, schedules, access requirements, and turnover expectations.
- Support the administration of tenant-improvement allowances, including budget validation, documentation, approvals, payment milestones, and reconciliation.
- Maintain productive relationships with tenants and project teams.
Design, Procurement, and Vendor Management- Select, engage, negotiate with, and manage architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty contractors, environmental consultants, and other project professionals.
- Review and approve construction documents, bids, schedules, change orders, pay applications, lien waivers, closeout materials, and other project documentation.
- Establish clear performance expectations for outside vendors and hold them accountable.
Cost, Schedule, and Risk Management- Develop, manage, and report project budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete estimates, and capital requirements.
- Create and manage project schedules; identify critical-path risks and coordinate mitigation plans with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on active projects, including budget status, schedule performance, major risks, decisions required, and anticipated completion dates. Escalate material issues promptly and recommend solutions.
Compliance, Quality, and Site Oversight- Coordinate permitting, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and other requirements with local jurisdictions, utilities, and regulatory agencies.
- Conduct regular site visits, construction progress meetings, and quality-control inspections.
- Ensure full life cycle of projects comply with applicable building codes, zoning requirements, ADA standards, life-safety requirements, environmental obligations, retailer-specific standards and final warranties.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE- 12+ years of progressive commercial construction management experience; candidates with deeper experience may be considered at the Director level.
- Significant experience in retail, shopping-center, big-box, department-store, mixed-use, or adaptive-reuse projects.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex tenant-improvement projects, landlord work, full-store build-outs, major renovations, and complex retail-box subdivisions.
- Strong knowledge of the construction issues involved in converting large-format retail space into multiple tenant suites, including demising walls, utility separations, HVAC, electrical service, fire/life-safety systems, access, loading, and shared-building infrastructure.
- Experience partnering with leasing, asset management, legal, finance, property management, and tenant construction teams to define scopes, support lease negotiations, and deliver projects consistent with commercial obligations.
- Solid understanding of tenant-improvement allowances, landlord-versus-tenant work scopes, construction-related lease provisions, and retailer delivery requirements.
- Proven experience managing architects, engineers, general & specialty contractors, regulatory agencies, and other third-party project partners.
- Strong command of project budgeting, bid analysis, cost forecasting, negotiation, lien waivers, and project closeouts.
- Working knowledge of commercial building codes, zoning and permitting processes, ADA requirements, life-safety standards, inspection requirements, and certificate-of-occupancy processes.
- Willingness and ability to travel for site visits, project meetings, and construction oversight as required.
WHY GA GROUP? - Growth opportunities with training and internal path to promotion
- Encouragement to contribute your valuable ideas to improve our company, products, and services
- Regular communication with senior management of companies in a wide range of industries, providing frequent opportunities to expand your business knowledge.
- Healthy work-life balance with hybrid position, allowing for both remote work and in-person interaction and collaboration
Visit us at https://gagroup.com/ to learn more!
