Assistant Project Manager – Chicago, IL

Assistant Project Manager – Owner's Representative (Interior Fit-Out)

Location: On-site, full-time Reports to: Project Executive

Position Summary

The Assistant Project Manager (APM) serves as part of the Owner's Representative team, stationed full-time on-site to oversee the General Contractor (GC) and trades throughout an interior fit-out project. The APM protects the Owner's interests by monitoring quality, schedule, budget, and contract compliance, while serving as a daily point of coordination between the GC, design team, consultants, and ownership.

Key Responsibilities

On-Site Oversight & Quality Control

• Maintain a daily on-site presence to observe and document construction progress, workmanship, and conformance to drawings, specifications, and design intent.

• Identify deficiencies, non-conforming work, and deviations from contract documents, and escalate to the GC and senior team for resolution.

• Monitor that work is installed per approved submittals, shop drawings, and applicable codes.

Schedule Management

• Track GC progress against the baseline and look-ahead schedules; flag delays, sequencing conflicts, and recovery needs.

• Monitor long-lead items, FF&E deliveries, and trade coordination affecting the critical path.

Cost & Contract Administration

• Assist in reviewing GC pay applications, change order requests, and backup documentation to verify accuracy and entitlement.

• Help maintain budget tracking, cost reports, and forecasts; identify potential cost exposures early.

• Track RFIs, submittals, and changing events to support timely Owner decisions.

Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate with the architect, engineers, designers, and specialty consultants to resolve field issues and clarify design intent.

• Attend and document OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) meetings, prepare meeting minutes, and follow up on open action items.

• Serve as a daily liaison between the GC and the Owner's team.

Documentation & Reporting

• Produce daily reports, progress photos, and field observation logs.

• Maintain organized project records, including correspondence, logs, and contract documentation.

• Prepare status updates and reports for senior management and ownership.

Closeout & Quality Assurance

• Manage and verify punch list completion.

• Support commissioning, inspections, permit close-out, and the turnover of O&M manuals, warranties, and as-builts.

Safety & Compliance

• Monitor that the GC maintains a safe job site and adheres to OSHA and project safety requirements (oversight role; enforcement remains the GC's responsibility).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field (or equivalent field experience).

• 5+ years of construction project experience; owner's representative, interiors, or commercial fit-out experience preferred.

• Working knowledge of construction means and methods, MEP systems, and interior finishes.

• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contracts.

• Proficiency with Procore (or similar), Bluebeam, MS Project or Primavera P6, and Microsoft Office.

• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

• OSHA 30 certification preferred.

• Ability to be on-site full-time and navigate active construction environments

Base Salary of $100K-$110K. Role requires 5+ years of construction project experience (owner's representative, interiors, or commercial fit-out experience preferred).