About the RoleEllisDon's Project Advisory & Management (PAM) division is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead our project management team. Acting as both a hands-on delivery leader and the primary owner's representative on major assignments, you will direct the planning, execution, and commercial administration of ICI and major building projects from initiation through close-out - ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, within scope and budget, and in full compliance with contractual obligations.
Beyond project delivery, you will lead, mentor, and develop a team of project managers and Assistant Project Managers/Coordinators, set the standard for project controls and reporting across the division, and serve as the alignment point between clients, consultants, contractors, and internal leadership. The ideal candidate combines a results-driven mindset and excellent leadership abilities with a deep understanding of construction project execution and contract administration in Ontario, Canada.
Key ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership- Lead, mentor, and develop the PAM project management team - assigning projects, balancing workloads, and coaching project managers, coordinators, and junior planners on schedule logic, project controls, and report quality.
- Set and enforce consistent standards for project documentation, change management, reporting, and record-keeping across the team's portfolio.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for clients, general contractors, consultants, and suppliers, and as the alignment point between project teams and internal leadership.
- Support business development through proposal input, bid and contract documentation, and building trusted client relationships.
Project & Construction Management- Direct the technical and commercial administration of ICI and major building projects from initiation through close-out.
- Lead project planning, scheduling, and execution, ensuring adherence to safety requirements, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
- Coordinate across trades and disciplines (structural, envelope, mechanical, electrical), managing interfaces between owner, construction manager, design consultants, manufacturers, and subtrades.
- Apply the Ontario Building Code, the Ontario Construction Act (notice, holdback, and timing requirements), and City of Toronto / GTA authority requirements; manage permits, inspections, occupancy, and site servicing with authorities having jurisdiction.
- Identify, escalate, and resolve constructability, sequencing, and quality issues in the field.
Contract & Commercial Administration- Administer Canadian construction contracts commonly used in Ontario - including CCDC 2 stipulated-price, CCDC 5A/5B (Construction Management), OAA 600, and project-specific supplementary conditions - upholding the owner's rights and obligations throughout the project.
- Oversee the full change lifecycle: contemplated change notices (CCNs), proposed change orders, change directives, quotations/CORs, and formal Change Orders - validating scope, entitlement, pricing, overhead/profit markups, and time impact before recommending approval.
- Review change pricing for reasonableness across labour, material, equipment, subcontractor, and mark-up components; identify double-counting, betterment, base-scope leakage, and missing credits.
- Manage cash allowances and contingency draws, ensuring expenditures are properly authorized and reconciled by change order.
- Coordinate progress payments against the Schedule of Values: confirm work-in-place, verify consultant certification, and administer the statutory 10% holdback and its release after lien expiry.
- Maintain clear, auditable change logs, cost registers, and supporting documentation suitable for the project file and downstream claims.
Planning, Scheduling & Project Controls- Establish project controls and oversee the development, review, and acceptance of realistic, logically linked CPM baseline schedules reflecting means and methods, sequencing, phasing constraints, permits, design deliverables, and long-lead procurement.
- Monitor progress against the critical path on a weekly/monthly basis; track total and free float, identify slippage early, and require and assess recovery plans (resequencing, added shifts, expanded crews, fast-tracking).
- Track and manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, and other project documentation to ensure proper record-keeping.
- Track milestone triggers (structural completion, envelope watertight, M&E rough-in, interior finishes, substantial performance) and align payment milestones to actual certified progress.
Cost & Budget Control- Own the project budget and cash-flow forecast; reconcile committed costs, change-order values, and contingency against the contract price.
- Monitor project costs and financial forecasts, identifying cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality; challenge contractor and consultant pricing where it is not substantiated.
Reporting, Stakeholder Communication & Close-Out- Produce executive-level governance reporting: program status, schedule health, cost position, risks, and decisions required.
- Run and document design and progress meetings with contractors and consultants; record decisions and action items and ensure timely follow-up.
- Maintain strong communication with clients, consultants, and project teams - communicating clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences and ensuring expectations are managed and met.
- Drive substantial performance certification, deficiency tracking and correction, occupancy, and the full close-out package (as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties), confirming all requirements for final completion and holdback release are satisfied.
Is This the Right Role for You?Required- The Salary Range for this Role is $110,000 - $135,000
- 10+ years of progressive experience managing commercial, industrial, or institutional (ICI) construction projects in Canada, including several years in a senior or lead capacity.
- Degree or diploma in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related discipline (or an equivalent combination of academic and practical experience).
- Demonstrated command of CCDC 2 (2020) stipulated-price contracts and supplementary conditions, and experience administering the full change-order lifecycle on Canadian contracts.
- Working knowledge of the Ontario Building Code, the Ontario Construction Act (progress payments, holdback, lien periods, and certification), and City of Toronto / GTA authority processes.
- Proven ability to read, build, and challenge a CPM schedule - critical path, predecessors, float, and recovery scenarios - using MS Project and/or Primavera P6.
- Strong cost-control discipline: Schedule of Values, change-order valuation, contingency and cash-allowance management.
- Experience managing general contractors, consultants, and design teams as an owner's representative.
- Demonstrated leadership and mentoring ability, with the initiative to work independently and drive projects and people to successful completion.
- Excellent written reporting and stakeholder communication - able to brief executives and hold contractors accountable in the same week.
- Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, Word, and project management software (e.g., Procore).
- Capable of travelling between multiple project sites.
Preferred- PMP, Gold Seal Certified (GSC), P.Eng., or equivalent designation.
- Experience with construction restoration projects, procurement, tender, design management, contracts, and project financials.
- Experience with design-build, construction management, or fast-track delivery models.
- Familiarity with bonding, builder's risk, wrap-up, and pollution-liability insurance requirements.
EllisDon is proud to provide this unique career opportunity that provides continuous learning, opportunity for growth, and a competitive compensation package within an environment that is committed to inclusion and respects diversity.
Go ahead and be yourself. We'll pay you for it! 
