Senior Project Executive - Pharma

Overview

Do you consider yourself to be a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to work in a team environment on complex projects? Gilbane is seeking a Senior Project Executive – Life Sciences to lead project team, guiding overall direction, completion, and financial outcome of a large pharmaceutical manufacturing facility construction project. This role will initially sit primarily on a job site just outside of Chicago but may be assigned to future assignments on other life sciences projects across the continental United States.

As a Top‑10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family‑owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on‑time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more.

You are a coach/leader who leads with an inclusive and empathetic mindset, provides feedback and guidance, determines priorities, delegates work, and communicates progress effectively. You establish measures to assess impact, quality, and timeliness, praising successes and sharing lessons learned, building high‑performing teams by attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining talented individuals. You leverage business insights to make critical decisions and create competitive advantage, deploying a strategic mindset for future opportunities and risks.

Your core values match Gilbane’s:
Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Tough‑mindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.

• Assumes overall accountability for jobsite safety and meeting contract requirements.
• Verifies the accuracy of project financial forecast, notice provisions, and billings to meet contract requirements and resolve potential claims.
• Ensures team creates project‑specific quality and closeout plans aligned with owner contract documents.
• Provides leadership to motivate the project team(s) and maintain a positive work environment.
• Directs and supervises work of project administration, project superintendents, and engineers to establish operational priorities and maintain satisfactory relationships with owners, subcontractors, unions, etc.
• Assumes overall accountability of subcontracting strategy and the integrity of the buyout process.
• Negotiates all aspects of contracts, leads implementation of risk mitigation plan, and final review of draft contracts, agreements, and purchase orders.
• Ensures project compliance with insurance and bonds.
• Manages the design phase of a GMP or design‑build project; leads and oversees development of GMP/lump‑sum submission.
• Oversees schedule planning and execution of multiple projects; manages schedule risks and provides guidance to prevent risk.
• Develops comprehensive understanding of local market areas and profiles to create and lead a networking strategy.
• Partners with business development to integrate sales strategies, client capture plans, and account plans; optimizes profit levers and gross profit margin tactics to achieve performance targets.
• Responsible for career development and coaching of team members.
• Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment to motivate and engage team members.
• Interprets and translates organizational strategy, ensuring team understanding of their role in accomplishing strategic goals.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management.
• 12–18 years of construction experience.
• Previous experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing facility construction required (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

• Strong technical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge of industry standard software Microsoft Office (preferred).

For Illinois, salary ranges from $195,000 to $260,000 plus benefits and retirement program. Gilbane offers competitive health and welfare benefits, a generous profit‑sharing/401(k) plan, and training through Gilbane University. Qualified applicants must pass a pre‑employment substance‑abuse test.

Gilbane is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The physical demands and working conditions required to perform this role are available for review.