Commercial Project Manager

Location: Batavia, IL
Reports To: Director of Commercial Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $90,000-$120,000 + bonus

CF Fence is an industry-leading commercial and industrial fencing contractor specializing in complex projects that demand exceptional planning, communication, and execution. We are a growth-oriented organization committed to creating abundant opportunity through shared victory. Our culture is built on excellence, accountability, innovation, grit, and servant leadership.

We are looking for Commercial Project Managers who thrive in a fast-paced environment and take ownership of project outcomes from contract award through final closeout. This role is ideal for a driven leader who enjoys solving problems, building relationships, and delivering successful projects for both customers and the company.

The Commercial Project Manager serves as the primary leader responsible for the successful execution of assigned projects. This individual manages client relationships, project schedules, labor planning, material procurement, financial performance, and field coordination to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and above customer expectations.

The Commercial Project Manager acts as the bridge between Sales, Operations, Field Leadership, Vendors, and Customers while maintaining a relentless focus on profitability, communication, and operational excellence.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, proactive planning, effective decision-making, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they impact project performance.

• Lead projects from turnover through final completion and closeout.
• Develop and maintain detailed project execution plans.
• Coordinate all project stakeholders to ensure alignment on scope, schedule, and expectations.
• Anticipate project risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure crews have the information, materials, equipment, and support necessary to execute efficiently.
• Monitor project progress and drive timely resolution of issues that could impact schedule, safety, quality, or profitability.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout project execution.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and project stakeholders.
• Communicate project status, schedule updates, and changes proactively.
• Manage customer expectations while maintaining a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience that leads to repeat business and referrals.

• Own project profitability and financial performance.
• Develop, manage, and forecast project budgets throughout the project lifecycle.
• Track labor productivity, material usage, subcontract costs, and project expenditures.
• Identify opportunities to increase project profitability while protecting customer relationships.
• Review project financial performance regularly and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Prepare accurate revenue, cost, and margin forecasts.

• Identify, document, price, negotiate, and execute change orders.
• Protect company interests by ensuring all scope changes are properly documented and approved.
• Actively pursue recovery of additional costs resulting from scope changes, delays, disruptions, or owner-directed modifications.

• Drive submittal, approval, and procurement processes to support project schedules.
• Coordinate vendor relationships and material deliveries.
• Monitor long lead-time items and proactively address supply chain challenges.
• Ensure materials arrive complete, accurate, and aligned with project requirements.

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term project schedules.
• Coordinate labor requirements with operations and field leadership.
• Forecast manpower needs and proactively communicate staffing requirements.
• Monitor production performance and implement adjustments to meet project commitments.

• Lead, support, and hold accountable project coordinators and other assigned team members.
• Foster collaboration between field and office personnel.
• Mentor team members and contribute to organizational development.
• Promote accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Support a culture where safety is the first priority.
• Ensure projects comply with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Partner with field leadership to identify and address project-specific risks.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and records.

Success in this role may be measured by:

• Project profitability and gross margin performance
• Revenue delivery versus forecast
• Forecast accuracy
• On-time project completion
• Change order capture rate
• Customer satisfaction
• Labor productivity performance
• Schedule adherence
• Quality outcomes
• Safety performance
• Repeat customer opportunities

• 5+ years of project management experience in construction or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, project financials, scheduling, and procurement.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management software.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites as required.

• Commercial construction experience.
• Experience working with union labor.
• Knowledge of public works projects and prevailing wage requirements.
• Experience with fencing, sitework, specialty contracting, or self-perform construction.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field.

We are looking for individuals who embody our core values and consistently demonstrate:

• Ownership mentality
• Strategic thinking
• Accountability
• Problem-solving ability
• Strong communication
• Financial acumen
• Relationship building
• Conflict resolution
• Leadership and team development
• Organization and planning
• Grit and resilience

The ideal Commercial Project Manager is a proactive leader who solves problems before they reach the customer, keeps crews prepared for success, protects company profitability, develops strong client relationships, and consistently delivers projects that exceed expectations.

Through planning, communication, accountability, and execution, this person creates value for customers, opportunities for teammates, and profitable growth for the company.