Construction Project Manager

This job is located at 1 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL, 60606

 

PLS® Overview: 

Why PLS? Because You Deserve Better!®  PLS — which stands for People – Location – Service — is a leading retail provider of financial services. The “P” comes first, because our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we recognize that it’s our exceptional team members who go above and beyond every day. The PLS Group, headquartered in Chicago, is comprised of over 200 financial service centers in 12 states. Through our check cashing stores, we provide consumers with convenient financial products and services to help them manage their day-to-day financial needs. Although many of our customers have banking relationships, we believe that our customers use our financial services because they are convenient, transparent, and frequently more affordable than available traditional alternatives. PLS was founded in 1997 by Bob and Dan Wolfberg, who serve as Co-Presidents. 

 

Position Overview: 

The Real Estate Associate/Manager- Design and Construction is chiefly responsible for overseeing the production of new retail store locations that range from ground-up construction, interior buildouts, and general store facilities projects. The role will also support teammate workflows in site selection, due-diligence, leasing, and property management.  Daily priorities include due diligence investigation, concept planning, budgeting, construction document administration, construction management, and project reporting. Strategic priorities include supporting store prototype development, procurement, vendor sourcing, relationship management, and implementation of construction management technology. The position reports to our Director of Design and Construction. The title for this role (Associate or Manager level) and salary will be commensurate with the candidates’ level of experience.

 

Job Responsibilities:

Due Diligence, Concept Planning, and Budgeting

• Support pre-construction needs via due diligence investigation-entitlement research (e.g., zoning and building code compliance).
• Assist with concept plan schemas and present corresponding preliminary budgets for executive approval.
• Personally inspect the property as needed to substantiate deal feasibility and provide overall design and construction recommendations.

Construction Document Administration

• Oversee the completion of construction documents from schematic design through construction drawings.
• Revise and update drawing quality to Permit Submission and Bid standards.
• Expedite all required permit approvals.

Construction Management

• Engage General Contractors.
• Oversee and manage requests for information (RFIs) and supplementary information, including the oversight of specific design solutions to problematic field conditions.
• Prepare qualified bidder lists, draft bid invitations, and bid review.
• Negotiate bids and construction scheduling.
• Draft and coordinate General Contractor contracts for execution.
• Conduct project kickoff with all parties including the property owner, PLS Operations, the project architect, and the General Contractor.
• Coordinate owner-furnished material purchase orders and delivery dates with material vendors, the architect, and the General Contractor.
• Regularly reconcile actual progress to construction schedule.
• Regularly reconcile actual project costs to contract value.
• Report weekly progress and long-term scheduling impacts on Real Estate management and other members of the project team.
• Ensure application for payment accuracy and administer payment procedure.
• Personally inspect project progress at critical milestones.
• Conduct Punchlist inspections.
• Manage all Operations warranty claims and execute repairs for one year following the completion date.        

Store Delivery   

• Coordinate transitions from construction team to the new store opening team.

Prototype Development

• Collaborate with Executives, Operations, Marketing, Products, and IT to understand PLS’s evolving strategic needs in the customer and employee store environment.
• Assist with efforts towards expanding qualified vendors for prototype building materials, particularly including Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) suppliers (e.g., flooring, lighting, and accessories).
• Other duties as assigned

 

Job Requirements:

• A minimum of 2-7 years of experience in construction management is required.
• Other experience in