Construction Manager

Role Overview: Blue Heron is seeking a proactive, organized, and detail-oriented candidate to join our team as a Construction Manager supporting our development and construction efforts on behalf of the owner. The Construction Manager will own key day-to-day workstreams across ground-up multifamily development projects and value-add renovations. Responsibilities include managing and tracking RFIs and submittals, coordinating pay applications and lender draw processes, administering change order tracking and approvals on behalf of the owner, coordinating owner-contracted construction 3rd party vendors, and tracking schedule, budget, and quality performance against the contract documents. The Construction Manager will report to the Director of Development and Construction Management and will work alongside members of the development team who serve as the primary investment leads. This full-time role is based in Blue Heron’s Raleigh, NC office and will require frequent travel for site visits, primarily in the Carolinas. The role will also support preconstruction and design-phase activities, including coordination of design deliverables, bid support, and procurement tracking.

Key Responsibilities: Support day-to-day project execution across Blue Heron’s development pipeline, with a primary focus on ground-up multifamily construction and value-add renovations. Lead day-to-day coordination with construction partners, vendors, and third-party consultants to keep scopes, deliverables, and next steps aligned, escalating issues as needed to the project lead. Own document control and workflow management, including drawings and specifications, submittals, RFIs, meeting minutes, photo logs, and closeout documentation, ensuring timely review cycles and clear accountability. Track and report project schedules, including critical path milestones, by reviewing schedule updates and look-ahead plans, flagging risks early, and helping drive mitigation plans with the project team. Support project cost controls by tracking budgets, commitments, and budget-to-actual performance. Assist in maintaining forecast-to-complete and variance explanations using available cost reporting and internal sources. Own pay application review and lender draw coordination, including reconciliation to the schedule of values and contract requirements, validation of supporting documentation, coordination of lender and third-party inspections, assembly of draw packages as required, and recommendation of pay applications for approval. Own the change order management workflow, including scope validation, pricing review and negotiation support, documentation, log maintenance, and coordination of internal approvals prior to issuance. Attend OAC meetings and conduct regular site visits to verify progress and quality relative to the contract documents, document observations, and follow up on open items. Support permitting, inspections, and turnover and closeout processes by coordinating with project partners and third parties, tracking requirements and deadlines, and ensuring collection and organization of punch lists, certificate of occupancy documentation, as-builts, attic stock, and warranty materials. Support preconstruction and design-phase activities, including coordination of design deliverables, value engineering support, bid leveling assistance, scope review, and tracking of long-lead procurement items.

Candidate Qualifications: 5-8+ years of experience in construction and project engineering, owner’s representative support, general contracting, or a related field. Multifamily experience is strongly preferred. Working knowledge of construction means and methods, project scheduling, cost controls, and contract administration, with the ability to take ownership of core workstreams such as RFIs and submittals, pay applications and draws, and change orders. Working knowledge of construction documents including site plans, building plans, and project specifications. Experience leading multi-disciplinary project or construction teams. Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline preferred (or equivalent relevant experience).Candidate Core Competencies Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and coordinate diverse stakeholders such as general contractors, subcontractors, designers, municipalities, lenders, and internal teams. Demonstrated ability to identify schedule, cost, and quality risks early and develop practical mitigation plans. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear project status reports. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing drawings/specs, submittals, RFIs, change orders, meeting minutes, and closeout documentation. Comfort taking ownership of discrete trade packages or scopes of work, coordinating inputs, resolving issues, and driving items to closure. Willingness to travel roughly weekly for site visits, primarily within the Carolinas. Travel is anticipated to be primarily day trips, though overnight travel will be required in some cases. Experience reviewing budgets, pay applications, and change orders; comfort working with project cost reports and forecasting. Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with contractors and consultants while representing owner interests. Effective problem-solving and negotiation skills. Adaptability to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage changing priorities across active projects. Openness to feedback for professional growth.

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive compensation to be determined based on candidate’s experience and qualifications. Blue Heron offers a robust benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance 401(k) with employer matching competitive PTO policy volunteer days Blue Heron is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws. Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person, or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Blue Heron will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.