Senior Technical Project Manager – Hillside & Structural Construction

Summary

Our client is an established construction contractor seeking a highly experienced Senior Technical Project Manager to oversee complex residential design-build projects throughout Los Angeles, CA . This position requires advanced technical expertise in structural hillside construction, masonry, concrete, hardscape, drainage, grading, excavation, and retaining wall systems , along with the ability to independently manage high-value construction projects from initial handoff through completion.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of hands-on construction experience and a proven background managing technically demanding residential projects, including individual projects valued at $500,000 or more . This is a senior, field-based role requiring strong construction knowledge, exceptional client communication, subcontractor oversight, and the ability to resolve complex technical issues with minimal supervision.

Duties & Responsibilities

- Technical Project Management & Construction Oversight

Manage the technical execution of complex residential design-build construction projects.

- Oversee projects involving structural hillside work, retaining walls, concrete, masonry, and hardscape.

- Review project scopes, engineering plans, site conditions, and construction specifications.

- Evaluate project feasibility, constructability, and technical requirements before construction begins.

- Identify potential construction challenges and develop practical solutions.

- Independently manage complex projects while maintaining quality, schedule, and profitability.

- Provide technical direction to subcontractors and construction personnel.

- Coordinate with engineering professionals and inspectors to resolve field conditions.

- Hillside, Civil & Structural Construction

Evaluate site conditions involving slopes, drainage, grading, excavation, and structural stability.

- Review retaining wall locations, heights, angles, and construction requirements.

- Coordinate construction details involving drainage systems, culverts, riprap, and pipe-and-board installations.

- Oversee technical requirements for structural concrete, masonry, stucco, waterproofing, and hardscape systems.

- Review civil and structural drawings, geotechnical reports, and engineering recommendations.

- Identify conflicts between plans and actual site conditions.

- Coordinate technical corrections with engineers, inspectors, and permitting professionals.

- Ensure construction activities comply with approved plans and project specifications.

- Client Communication & Project Relationships

Serve as the primary client contact throughout the project lifecycle.

- Conduct initial project introductions, preconstruction meetings, and site walkthroughs.

- Establish clear expectations regarding project scope, schedule, and construction requirements.

- Provide proactive project updates and communicate upcoming milestones.

- Address technical questions and explain construction solutions to homeowners and project stakeholders.

- Resolve client concerns professionally and promptly.

- Maintain strong relationships with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and clients.

- Ensure clients receive timely communication regarding project changes, delays, or technical concerns.

- Project Scheduling & Progress Management

Manage project progression from initial handoff through construction completion.

- Establish project schedules, milestones, and action items.

- Coordinate subcontractor availability, material requirements, and construction sequencing.

- Monitor project progress and identify delays or operational constraints.

- Ensure all active projects have clear next steps and assigned responsibilities.

- Address stalled projects and escalate significant risks when necessary.

- Maintain accurate project status updates in construction management systems.

- Coordinate timely completion, billing readiness, and project closeout activities.

- Subcontractor Coordination & Quality Control

Coordinate subcontractors regarding project scopes, schedules, site access, and construction expectations.

- Review subcontractor work against approved plans and specifications.

- Ensure subcontractors understand technical requirements before mobilization.

- Monitor workmanship, progress, and milestone completion.

- Identify quality concerns and coordinate corrective actions.

- Resolve subcontractor issues and maintain accountability for project performance.

- Support subcontractor pricing and preconstruction buyout activities.

- Ensure subcontractor costs and scope requirements support project profitability.

- Preconstruction, Estimating & Production Coordination

Review sales handoffs, site documentation, photographs, videos, and project plans.

- Identify missing technical details and clarify project requirements before construction begins.

- Coordinate with sales personnel to improve project scoping and estimating accuracy.

- Review subcontractor pricing and identify potential cost or scope discrepancies.

- Evaluate project risks affecting construction feasibility, scheduling, and gross margins.

- Support the transition of approved projects into construction execution.

- Participate in production meetings and provide updates regarding technical project challenges.

- Process Improvement & Team Development

Develop construction checklists, technical standards, and project documentation procedures.

- Support improvements to sales-to-production handoff processes.

- Assist with implementation of CRM and project management systems.

- Mentor Project Coordinators and field personnel regarding construction standards.

- Develop training materials and technical resources for the production team.

- Promote consistent project execution, communication, and quality standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

- Required Experience

Minimum 15 years of hands-on experience in masonry, concrete, hillside, hardscape, and related construction work.

- Extensive experience in high-end residential design-build construction ; commercial-only experience is not sufficient.

- Proven ability to independently manage technically complex construction projects.

- Experience delivering individual projects valued at $500,000 or more .

- Strong experience coordinating subcontractors, engineers, inspectors, and construction personnel.

- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously.

- Experience communicating directly with homeowners and sophisticated construction clients.

- Previous experience in a senior project management or construction business ownership role.

- Technical & Construction Skills

Advanced knowledge of structural hillside construction, retaining walls, slope stability, grading, drainage, and excavation .

- Experience with pipe-and-board systems, V-ditches, sump pumps, and related drainage systems.

- Strong understanding of structural concrete, CMU, brick, stone masonry, stucco, waterproofing, and hardscape.

- Ability to interpret civil and structural plans, geotechnical reports, and engineering specifications.

- Knowledge of residential construction sequencing, site access, and technical project coordination.

- Ability to identify constructability concerns and develop practical solutions.

- Experience reviewing subcontractor scopes, pricing, and technical requirements.

- Familiarity with CRM systems and construction project management software.

- Professional Skills

Excellent technical judgment and problem-solving abilities.

- Strong client communication and relationship management skills.

- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

- Confident and professional when communicating with engineers, inspectors, subcontractors, and homeowners.

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

- Ability to manage multiple projects, schedules, and competing priorities.

- Strong leadership and subcontractor management capabilities.

- Commitment to construction quality, accountability, and client satisfaction.

- Preferred Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline , or equivalent extensive construction experience.

- Previous experience as a Senior Project Manager, Technical Project Manager, Production Manager, General Contractor, or specialty construction business owner.

- Experience developing construction processes, technical standards, and training materials.

- Background managing high-value residential hillside and structural construction projects.

- Experience coordinating directly with geotechnical, structural, and civil engineers.

- Work Environment & Location

Los Angeles, CA – Onsite and Field-Based .

- Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area .

- Full-time position requiring regular visits to active construction sites.

- Ability to conduct field walkthroughs, inspections, client meetings, and technical project reviews.