Construction Project Manager

Title: Construction Project Manager

Location: Conway, Arkansas

Schedule: Full-time, Salaried (exempt)

ReportsTo: CEO

About Nelson Development

Nelson Development is a purpose‑driven real estate development firm based in Conway, Arkansas. We transform underutilized land into high‑quality projects that elevate neighborhoods and create durable value. We are scaling an institutional, lean platform guided by three core values: Quality. Integrity. Community.

Leadership - Nelson Development is led by a CEO who has held leadership roles at Walmart U.S. Real Estate and Baptist Health, with banking and audit experience; bringing decision clarity and lender‑ready standards to an entrepreneurial, boutique operation.

The Role

Nelson Development is hiring a Construction Project Manager to lead projects from Contract through Certificate of Occupancy and warranty. This role is hybrid: polished in office systems and documentation, credible on job sites with trades, inspectors, and clients. Responsibilities include permitting, scheduling, inspections, JobTread system hygiene, client communications, and enforcement of change orders. The PM does not perform construction labor; limited, incidental on‑site tasks may occur when practical (e.g., placing house numbers) while maintaining a management focus. This person owns the client relationship during the contract and handles all client communications, with only defined exceptions escalated to leadership. This person has discretion and authority in the field to complete the project on time and budget. Project mix is typically custom homes, spec home construction, light commercial, and large dollar construction projects.

What Success Looks Like

• Scope, schedule, budget, and quality are delivered as contracted, with proactive risk management and clear decision gates.
• JobTread remains the single source of truth: complete baselines, clean artifacts, current tasks, photos, selections, POs/invoices, and consistent change‑order markup. Subs are onboarded to JobTread and compliant.
• Client experience is disciplined: weekly progress reporting, milestone walkthroughs, timely decisions, and calm issue resolution.
• Warranty items are triaged and closed within service levels; root causes inform vendor performance and lessons learned.

Key Responsibilities

• Permitting & Compliance: Prepare and submit permit packages; coordinate utilities; schedule and pass inspections; maintain AHJ relationships.
• Planning & Scheduling: Build and manage end‑to‑end schedules; sequence trades; ensure site readiness and material logistics aligned to milestones.
• JobTread Administration: Establish project baselines (scope/budget/schedule), convert bids to POs, receive invoices to matching POs, manage selections and change orders, maintain photo documentation and artifact versioning. This includes JobTread training sessions to become comfortable with the platform.
• Trade & Vendor Management: Coordinate subcontractors, enforce standards and safety, track performance and close punch lists with accountability.
• Client Communications: Lead weekly updates and milestone walkthroughs; set expectations, communicate variances, and secure timely decisions.
• Quality Control & Closeout: Run QC gates, manage punch, secure CO, compile closeout documents, and transition to warranty.
• Warranty Management: Log, diagnose, and dispatch warranty items; close within SLA; capture lessons learned into scorecards and SOPs.
• Commercial Optionality (as needed): Capable of managing smaller commercial/TI projects; if commercial becomes a larger focus, collaborates on scoping a dedicated commercial PM.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required, associate degree or bachelor’s degree strongly preferred in Construction management or related field.
• 3–7 years leading residential construction (or comparable small commercial) as a Project Manager or Field Superintendent with independent job ownership.
• Fluency with construction management software (JobTread preferred) and disciplined document/photo management.
• Demonstrated command of permitting, inspections, trade sequencing, materials logistics, and utility coordination.
• Polished written and verbal communication; credible presence with clients, trades, and inspectors.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable, site‑appropriate vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, or related field.
• Familiarity with Conway/Faulkner County AHJs and a working network across core trades.
• Experience with lender‑ready reporting and job‑cost alignment (POs, invoices, selections, COs with consistent markup).
• Post‑project review discipline (vendor scorecards, trend analysis, SOP feedback loops).

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and demonstrated ownership (details shared during process)
• Time Off: 2 weeks of PTO, six paid holidays, and paid winter break (company-wide, dates set annually)
• Work Setup: In-office and field based, with flexibility for everyday life; company-provided computer or tablet and desk setup
• Autonomy & Ownership: You are trusted as the construction project lead and given the latitude, budget, and authority to drive measurable outcomes
• Direct Access: Partner with the CEO through reviews to inform professional growth

To Apply

Email a copy of your resume to Apply@neldev.com with the subject “Project Manager”. Include a brief note (2–3 sentences) on why this role excites you.

Equal Opportunity & At‑Will

Nelson Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is at‑will and this description does not create a contract.