Project Manager, Operations Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager

About Curran Contracting:

Established in 1936, Curran has grown into a premier contractor, known for its expertise in site development, excavation, mass grading, paving, and asphalt sales. With a strong presence across multiple industries—serving commercial, industrial, and government clients—Curran operates from five key locations:
Crystal Lake, Island Lake, Sycamore, and Oswego, Illinois, as well as Merrillville, Indiana.

For over 85 years, Curran has cultivated a reputation for excellence by consistently delivering high-quality results on every project. This success is driven by an unwavering commitment to our core values: family, continuous improvement, integrity, partnership, and respect. These values form the backbone of our operations and have enabled us to maintain lasting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and communities alike.

Job Summary:

The Project Manager III is a senior-level project leader responsible for overseeing large, complex projects or multiple concurrent assignments from start to finish. They are fully accountable for project planning, scheduling, cost forecasting, profitability or margin, subcontractor negotiations, and client satisfaction. Project Manager III’s are trusted to serve as the primary point of contact for owners, GC’s, and key stakeholders, resolving disputes, identifying risks, and ensuring contractual compliance.

They provide direct supervision and coaching to project teams that may include project engineers, PM I’s, and PM II’s, fostering growth while ensuring execution excellence. This role demands advanced technical knowledge, proven leadership skills, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational detail.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead all project startup activities, ensuring thorough setup and documentation.

Optimize project schedules; sequence contractors for maximum efficiency.

Maintain consistent communication with field leaders and ensure alignment of resources.

Own financial projections, WIP analysis, and overall profitability of assigned projects.

Verifying key subcontractor and vendor agreements to align with project requirements.

Take the lead in change order negotiations and identify project risks proactively.

Serve as the primary client-facing communicator, managing escalated issues or disputes.

Supervise and coach project teams to ensure high performance.

Conduct regular field reviews for safety, quality, and productivity.

Partner with the estimating team for bid validations.

Required Skills & Abilities:

Advanced scheduling, cost management, and risk management skills.

Strong leadership presence with proven supervisory abilities.

Negotiation and conflict resolution expertise.

Ability to manage the competing demands of multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail and oversight required on each individual project.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related field preferred.
6 to 9 years of experience in the construction industry preferred, 5+ years in project management required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office; scheduling software exposure and Vista/Heavy Job exposure preferred.

Working Conditions:

Must be able to sit for prolonged periods both at a desk and while driving or riding in a vehicle.

Regularly required to tour active construction sites and must comply with Curran’s safety policies, including wearing and maintaining required PPE (e.g. hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, hearing protection, safety-toe footwear).Exposure to varying outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, dust) is common.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs of materials, equipment, or presentation items.

Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to safely operate a personal or company vehicle to and from job sites, meetings, and for other business purposes.

Employees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and uphold Curran’s core values at all internal and external work-related events, as well as daily interactions and operations.

Benefits & Additional Compensation:

Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits Profit Sharing
401(k) Plan with up to 5% employer match

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