Summary

Our client is an established construction contractor seeking a highly experienced Senior Technical Project Manager to oversee complex residential design-build projects throughout Los Angeles, CA. This position requires advanced technical expertise in structural hillside construction, masonry, concrete, hardscape, drainage, grading, excavation, and retaining wall systems, along with the ability to independently manage high-value construction projects from initial handoff through completion.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of hands-on construction experience and a proven background managing technically demanding residential projects, including individual projects valued at $500,000 or more. This is a senior, field-based role requiring strong construction knowledge, exceptional client communication, subcontractor oversight, and the ability to resolve complex technical issues with minimal supervision.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Technical Project Management & Construction Oversight

  • Manage the technical execution of complex residential design-build construction projects.

  • Oversee projects involving structural hillside work, retaining walls, concrete, masonry, and hardscape.

  • Review project scopes, engineering plans, site conditions, and construction specifications.

  • Evaluate project feasibility, constructability, and technical requirements before construction begins.

  • Identify potential construction challenges and develop practical solutions.

  • Independently manage complex projects while maintaining quality, schedule, and profitability.

  • Provide technical direction to subcontractors and construction personnel.

  • Coordinate with engineering professionals and inspectors to resolve field conditions.

• Hillside, Civil & Structural Construction

  • Evaluate site conditions involving slopes, drainage, grading, excavation, and structural stability.

  • Review retaining wall locations, heights, angles, and construction requirements.

  • Coordinate construction details involving drainage systems, culverts, riprap, and pipe-and-board installations.

  • Oversee technical requirements for structural concrete, masonry, stucco, waterproofing, and hardscape systems.

  • Review civil and structural drawings, geotechnical reports, and engineering recommendations.

  • Identify conflicts between plans and actual site conditions.

  • Coordinate technical corrections with engineers, inspectors, and permitting professionals.

  • Ensure construction activities comply with approved plans and project specifications.

• Client Communication & Project Relationships

  • Serve as the primary client contact throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Conduct initial project introductions, preconstruction meetings, and site walkthroughs.

  • Establish clear expectations regarding project scope, schedule, and construction requirements.

  • Provide proactive project updates and communicate upcoming milestones.

  • Address technical questions and explain construction solutions to homeowners and project stakeholders.

  • Resolve client concerns professionally and promptly.

  • Maintain strong relationships with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and clients.

  • Ensure clients receive timely communication regarding project changes, delays, or technical concerns.

• Project Scheduling & Progress Management

  • Manage project progression from initial handoff through construction completion.

  • Establish project schedules, milestones, and action items.

  • Coordinate subcontractor availability, material requirements, and construction sequencing.

  • Monitor project progress and identify delays or operational constraints.

  • Ensure all active projects have clear next steps and assigned responsibilities.

  • Address stalled projects and escalate significant risks when necessary.

  • Maintain accurate project status updates in construction management systems.

  • Coordinate timely completion, billing readiness, and project closeout activities.

• Subcontractor Coordination & Quality Control

  • Coordinate subcontractors regarding project scopes, schedules, site access, and construction expectations.

  • Review subcontractor work against approved plans and specifications.

  • Ensure subcontractors understand technical requirements before mobilization.

  • Monitor workmanship, progress, and milestone completion.

  • Identify quality concerns and coordinate corrective actions.

  • Resolve subcontractor issues and maintain accountability for project performance.

  • Support subcontractor pricing and preconstruction buyout activities.

  • Ensure subcontractor costs and scope requirements support project profitability.

• Preconstruction, Estimating & Production Coordination

  • Review sales handoffs, site documentation, photographs, videos, and project plans.

  • Identify missing technical details and clarify project requirements before construction begins.

  • Coordinate with sales personnel to improve project scoping and estimating accuracy.

  • Review subcontractor pricing and identify potential cost or scope discrepancies.

  • Evaluate project risks affecting construction feasibility, scheduling, and gross margins.

  • Support the transition of approved projects into construction execution.

  • Participate in production meetings and provide updates regarding technical project challenges.

• Process Improvement & Team Development

  • Develop construction checklists, technical standards, and project documentation procedures.

  • Support improvements to sales-to-production handoff processes.

  • Assist with implementation of CRM and project management systems.

  • Mentor Project Coordinators and field personnel regarding construction standards.

  • Develop training materials and technical resources for the production team.

  • Promote consistent project execution, communication, and quality standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Required Experience

  • Minimum 15 years of hands-on experience in masonry, concrete, hillside, hardscape, and related construction work.

  • Extensive experience in high-end residential design-build construction; commercial-only experience is not sufficient.

  • Proven ability to independently manage technically complex construction projects.

  • Experience delivering individual projects valued at $500,000 or more.

  • Strong experience coordinating subcontractors, engineers, inspectors, and construction personnel.

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously.

  • Experience communicating directly with homeowners and sophisticated construction clients.

  • Previous experience in a senior project management or construction business ownership role.

• Technical & Construction Skills

  • Advanced knowledge of structural hillside construction, retaining walls, slope stability, grading, drainage, and excavation.

  • Experience with pipe-and-board systems, V-ditches, sump pumps, and related drainage systems.

  • Strong understanding of structural concrete, CMU, brick, stone masonry, stucco, waterproofing, and hardscape.

  • Ability to interpret civil and structural plans, geotechnical reports, and engineering specifications.

  • Knowledge of residential construction sequencing, site access, and technical project coordination.

  • Ability to identify constructability concerns and develop practical solutions.

  • Experience reviewing subcontractor scopes, pricing, and technical requirements.

  • Familiarity with CRM systems and construction project management software.

• Professional Skills

  • Excellent technical judgment and problem-solving abilities.

  • Strong client communication and relationship management skills.

  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

  • Confident and professional when communicating with engineers, inspectors, subcontractors, and homeowners.

  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects, schedules, and competing priorities.

  • Strong leadership and subcontractor management capabilities.

  • Commitment to construction quality, accountability, and client satisfaction.

• Preferred Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent extensive construction experience.

  • Previous experience as a Senior Project Manager, Technical Project Manager, Production Manager, General Contractor, or specialty construction business owner.

  • Experience developing construction processes, technical standards, and training materials.

  • Background managing high-value residential hillside and structural construction projects.

  • Experience coordinating directly with geotechnical, structural, and civil engineers.

• Work Environment & Location

  • Los Angeles, CA – Onsite and Field-Based.

  • Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area.

  • Full-time position requiring regular visits to active construction sites.

  • Ability to conduct field walkthroughs, inspections, client meetings, and technical project reviews.