Project Manager, Owner's Rep

Owner’s Rep Project Manager

DMV Area | Full-Time | On-Site | Competitive Base + Bonus

Ready to Move to the Owner’s Side?

If you’ve spent years running tenant improvement projects for a general contractor and you’re ready to be the one directing the work instead of chasing it, this is your opportunity.

Our client is a long-established, privately held commercial real estate owner and developer with a diversified portfolio of retail, office, and mixed-use properties across the DMV and Mid-Atlantic. They’re adding an Owner’s Rep Project Manager to lead tenant and capital improvement projects from concept through closeout. You’ll be the owner’s voice on every project: managing architects, engineers, consultants, and general contractors to deliver space on time, on budget, and to a high standard.

Why You’ll Want This Role

Sit on the owner’s side of the table. You’ll hire and manage the GCs, set the standards, and make the calls, without the bid-day grind or fee pressure.

Stability and long-term thinking. You’ll work for a privately held company that builds and holds its assets, so quality and relationships matter more than quarterly pressure.

Variety without chaos. You’ll handle a steady pipeline of retail and office TI and capital projects, keeping close to the work with local travel and no relocation or extended out-of-town assignments.

Real visibility. You’ll work directly with senior leadership, leasing, accounting, and lenders, so your work has a clear impact on the business.

Strong total rewards: competitive base plus bonus, 401(k) with company match, medical/dental/vision, tuition reimbursement, PTO, an on-site fitness center, pre-tax commuter benefits, and more.

What You’ll Do

Lead tenant and capital improvement projects from conceptual budget through closeout

Build conceptual budgets, run competitive bids, and manage the award process

Coordinate with architects and MEP engineers on contract documents, RFIs, and submittals

Partner with retail and office tenants on space planning and construction documents

Coordinate tenant contractors to deliver possession on schedule

Secure senior management approval for construction expenditures

Manage permitting, invoicing, contract enforcement, and closeout

Lead substantial completion walkthroughs

Support cash flow forecasting and draw reviews with accounting and lenders on base building projects

What You Bring

5–8 years of project management experience with a general contractor or owner’s rep firm

A strong background in retail and/or office tenant improvements

A 4-year degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, Excel, and Outlook

Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, plus the ability to stay calm when schedules shift

Bonus: CCM and/or LEED AP

Location & Travel

The role is based in the DMV, with local travel to properties throughout the region and the broader Mid-Atlantic.

Interested? Reach out confidentially to Essential Search to learn more about the company and the opportunity.