Project Manager​/Senior Project Manager

With a fleet of more than 300 pieces of equipment, Berger Contractors, Inc. (BEC) is one of the largest earthmoving and underground utility contractors in Northern Illinois.

BEC has completed projects in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Cook and DuPage counties in Illinois as well as Kenosha County Wisconsin.

Through the years, BEC has been recognized as a leading contractor by both the public and private sectors.

Typical private-sector projects include residential developments, hospitals, restaurants, office complexes, shopping centers, and industrial buildings. In the public sector, we construct highways, waste-water treatment facilities, and storm water diversion infrastructures.

Reports To:
Manager of Construction

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Location:
Wauconda, IL (Corporate Office – Onsite)

The Project Manager serves as the central driver of the full project lifecycle, from contract execution through final closeout. This role is responsible for leading project scope, schedule, and budget while ensuring clear communication across all stakeholders. The Project Manager maintains full ownership of project performance, proactively managing financials, timelines, and client relationships to ensure successful project delivery.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of project scope, contract requirements, and deliverables
• Lead and coordinate all phases of project execution from initiation through closeout
• Ensure timely and effective communication with all stakeholders (clients, field teams, leadership)
• Organize and facilitate key project meetings including kickoff, pre-construction, and progress meetings
• Prepare and distribute daily work plans to stakeholders by 3:30 PM prior to scheduled work
• Review and approve timecards within one business day, ensuring accuracy of labor, equipment, cost codes, and production quantities

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and serve as the primary point of contact
• Represent the organization professionally in client interactions and industry engagements
• Ensure responsiveness across all communication channels (email, phone, text)
• Foster collaboration between internal teams, field personnel, and external stakeholders

• Develop, maintain, and distribute look-ahead schedules (minimum 3-week horizon)
• Collaborate with field leadership and client representatives to align sequencing and priorities
• Ensure schedules include production rates, quantities, dependencies, and cost codes
• Create and manage baseline project schedules aligned with contract scope and timelines
• Communicate sequencing and scheduling expectations across all project stakeholders
• Coordinate subcontractor schedules to align with overall project objectives

• Maintain full ownership and understanding of project budgets and cost structures
• Monitor production quantities, labor hours, and cost performance against budget
• Identify and address variances proactively with field teams and leadership
• Perform periodic cost code quantity reconciliations to assess project health
• Manage scope changes, including change orders, extra work, and budget adjustments
• Maintain accurate change order logs and ensure timely client distribution
• Review and approve invoices, accounts payable, and cost commitments in partnership with Project Accounting
• Support monthly billing processes, including timely submission and review of billings and change orders
• Assist with forecasting, Work-in-Progress (WIP), and cost-to-complete projections
• Support accounts receivable efforts when necessary

• Manage all contract-related documentation including notices, correspondence, and records
• Oversee submittals, procurement processes, and material tracking
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and documentation standards

• Serve as a safety leader, proactively identifying and addressing unsafe conditions
• Enforce company standards, processes, and operational best practices (“Berger Way”)
• Lead by example in alignment with company core values and fundamentals
• P…