Project Developer

Are you a Project Manager with GC looking to jump sides to the development side? PERFECT opportunity for you!

Project Developer – Entertainment & Hospitality Renovations

📍 Location: Chicago, IL

💼 Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about making the construction process smooth and hassle-free for clients? Do you excel at anticipating challenges and solving problems before they arise? If so, this is an exciting opportunity to join a leading design/build construction firm specializing in entertainment and hospitality interior renovation projects.

As a Project Developer, you will have high client visibility and be responsible for managing projects from site identification and due diligence through contract negotiations and preconstruction, collaborating closely with project managers and design teams.

What We Offer

• Industry-leading performance bonuses
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans
• Tuition reimbursement for associates
• Scholarships for associates’ children
• Paid sabbaticals and volunteer leave
• 100% charitable match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture

Key Responsibilities

• Manage due diligence including surveys, asbestos studies, and MEP/structural reviews
• Oversee real estate entitlements, permits, and regulatory documentation
• Liaise with brokers on lease/purchase transactions and landlord work letters
• Serve as the primary client contact during preconstruction
• Advise clients on site layout, building design, and entitlement paths
• Coordinate with attorneys, landowners, and development partners
• Manage budgets and cash flow related to due diligence and design costs
• Prepare and maintain project schedules and preliminary cost estimates
• Develop design alternatives and value engineering solutions
• Oversee engineering studies and communicate findings to the team
• Identify business development opportunities through client relationships and marketing initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management preferred
• 2-4 years of experience in construction project management or MEP design, preferably in restaurant, hospitality, or entertainment-related projects
• Proven track record of managing projects on schedule and within budget
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required; support available for EIT licensure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Project and Excel

If you’re ready to take on a role where you can make a real difference in exciting renovation projects and grow within a supportive company culture, we want to hear from you!