Construction Manager

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Full Time Chicago, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition

GA Group is a leading provider of advisory, valuation, field exam, liquidation, asset-based lending, investment banking, restructuring advisory, and real estate services. With more than 50 years of experience and a global footprint, we partner with leading financial institutions and corporations to navigate complex transactions, optimize operations, and drive value. Our collaborative, results-driven culture is powered by a deep bench of industry experts dedicated to solving our clients’ most critical challenges.

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) profit-sharing retirement plan, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, voluntary medical, dental, vision coverage, and company-paid life and disability insurance.

GA Group is majority-owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.

POSITION SCOPE

GA 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 DUTIES

Project 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…