Assistant Construction Project Manager

About O'Leary Group

O'Leary Group serves as a client's representative in project management, guiding development and construction initiatives from the owner's perspective. The firm enables clients to make informed choices, safeguard investments, and advance complex projects with clarity and control. Their services encompass early due diligence, planning, design, construction, and project opening. The team coordinates relevant individuals, information, and decisions for successful project completion, focusing on retail, hospitality, wellness, commercial interiors, and other experience-driven environments. The company is recognized for hands-on involvement, collaboration, careful planning, proactive problem-solving, and a strong commitment to clients and project partners.

Role Overview

The company seeks an Assistant Construction Project Manager to assist in planning and executing several client projects. Partnering closely with Project Managers and leadership, this role involves coordinating project teams, managing budgets and schedules, tracking decisions and deliverables, reviewing construction documents, and ensuring smooth project progression. It is ideal for candidates with a solid base in construction or design aiming to grow into a comprehensive, owner-side Project Manager. The role demands high organization, curiosity, proactive engagement, and ownership of critical project aspects while building technical expertise and professional judgment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in projects from initial planning and due diligence through design, construction, closeout, and opening phases.
• Coordinate among architects, engineers, contractors, expeditors, consultants, vendors, and client stakeholders.
• Organize meetings by preparing agendas, documenting decisions, and maintaining clear action logs.
• Monitor project timelines, milestones, deliverables, approvals, and pending decisions.
• Manage project budgets, commitments, forecasts, invoices, and change orders documentation.
• Support reviewing contractor proposals, bids, payment applications, change orders, submittals, and related documents.
• Analyze drawings and project materials to identify coordination points, inconsistencies, and risks.
• Engage in meetings with clients, design teams, contractors, and internal project groups.
• Conduct site inspections to document progress, quality issues, outstanding tasks, and follow-ups.
• Assist in procurement processes, including competitive bidding and proposal evaluation.
• Prepare concise project status updates and reports for clients and internal leadership.
• Keep comprehensive, organized project files, records, approvals, and correspondence.
• Follow up with project partners to ensure deadlines and commitments are met.
• Detect problems early and collaborate with the Project Manager on effective solutions.
• Safeguard client objectives regarding budget, schedule, design intent, and overall project standards.
• Travel to project sites as necessary.

Success Factors

• Proactively manage deadlines and follow-up without prompting.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and accessible project information.
• Communicate professionally and clearly with all stakeholders.
• Understand the purpose behind tasks beyond their surface requirements.
• Ask insightful questions and build technical expertise actively.
• Identify missing data, inconsistencies, and project risks promptly.
• Take ownership of duties and reliably complete tasks.
• Balance detailed focus with awareness of broader project goals.
• Know when to address issues independently versus escalating.
• Contribute constructively to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Design, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• Approximately 2 to 5 years of relevant experience in construction management, general contracting, architecture, engineering, design, development, or owner-side project management.
• Experience supporting commercial construction, renovations, or interior build-out projects.
• Foundational knowledge of construction sequencing, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, and project documentation.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings; familiarity with structural and MEP drawings preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong skills in organization, documentation, prioritization, and persistent follow-through.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines without losing sight of details.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive and resourceful with a willingness to ask questions for clarity.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with Project Managers and leadership.
• Preference for candidates experienced in retail, hospitality, wellness, restaurant, or complex commercial interior projects.
• Design experience or collaboration with design teams is a plus.

Technology Skills

Familiarity with modern project management software is important, including platforms such as Bluebeam, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project (or equivalents), Procore (or similar construction management tools), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and AI-based tools enhancing project documentation and communication. Full proficiency in all listed platforms is not mandatory; strong organizational skills, construction knowledge, communication ability, and adaptability to new systems are prioritized.

Work Location and Travel

This is a full-time role stationed in New York City requiring frequent attendance at client meetings, project sites, and company meetings. Occasional travel beyond New York may be necessary depending on project assignments.

Compensation

The expected base salary ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, skills, and project responsibilities. The position is also eligible for bonus compensation.

Equal Opportunity

The company is an equal opportunity employer and embraces applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected statuses under applicable laws.