Owner's Representative Commercial Construction (Owner Advisory Role)

About the job:

This is not a traditional contractor Project Manager role. This position represents the Owner's Interests across commercial construction projects.

Firm Overview

Composed of flexible teams of committed professionals, Rockwise Strategies leverages our deep experience to navigate the ins and outs of construction projects. We join our clients right where they need us in their project, getting ahead of potential issues and offering thoughtful guidance to ensure their building is completed on time, on budget, and to their exact specifications. 

Summary of Position

The primary role of this position is to represent the owner to ensure a smooth and efficient execution of real estate development and construction, and to oversee the project to deliver on time and within the owner's stated budget.

The Owner’s Rep is a liaison between the project owner and the contractor or construction manager. The Owner’s Rep provides consistent communication to make sure that the owner's expectations are understood and met throughout the project. Additionally, a Construction Owner’s Representative is responsible for coordinating and overseeing various project activities, ensuring that all tasks are completed on schedule and within budget.

Quality control is another crucial aspect of this role. The Owner’s Representative will visit the jobsite regularly to ensure that all work complies with the project's plans and specifications, addressing any issues that arise promptly.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills. 
• Self-starter with strong multi-tasking and follow-up skills. 
• Strong ability to read, analyze, and interpret plans and specifications. 
• Good judgment, logic, and the ability to learn new things quickly. 
• 30% local travel to and from project meetings periodically, the majority of which are within the Twin Cities metro area. Possible occasional overnight travel outside of the metro area as required or needed.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite. 

Project Planning & Oversight

• Establish project goals: Collaborate with the owner/client with project site selection and assist with fundraising or selection of a financial partner if required. Work with the owner to define and clarify project objectives, scope, and vision.
• Team selection and procurement: Manage the selection process for the design and construction teams by handling requests for proposals and evaluating bids. Reviews and manages contracts for all vendors on the project.
• Budget and schedule management: Develop a realistic master project schedule and budget. The Owner's Rep continuously monitors these throughout the project lifecycle to prevent overruns and delays.
• Risk management: Identify and mitigate potential risks that could cause budget overruns, delays, or other issues.

Communication & Coordination

• Central point of contact: Serve as the main liaison between the owner and all project stakeholders, including contractors, architects, engineers, and financial institutions.
• Report progress: Provide the owner with regular, unbiased updates on project status, finances, and any emerging concerns.
• Facilitate meetings: Lead and facilitate project meetings to ensure effective communication and alignment among all parties.

Financial & Contract Administration

• Contract negotiation: Assist in negotiating contracts with all vendors, ensuring the terms are favorable and protect the owner's interests.
• Invoice and payment approval: Review and approve contractor payment requests and other invoices to control project costs.
• Change order management: Scrutinize and manage any requested changes to the project's scope, budget, or timeline.
• Document management: Organize and maintain all critical project documentation, such as contracts, permits, and change orders.

Quality and Compliance Control

• Quality assurance: Oversee the work to ensure all construction meets the owner's quality standards and specifications.
• On-site inspections: Conduct regular site inspections to confirm compliance with design plans, contracts, building codes, and safety regulations.
• Permitting and entitlement process: Lead the entitlement process. Assist in acquiring all necessary permits and managing regulatory processes.

Post Construction, Closeout, and Commissioning

• Move management: Help coordinate furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) and manage the owner's move-in process.
• Project closeout: Oversee and manage one or more projects from predevelopment through closeout/warranty period. Ensure all project closeout procedures are completed, including documentation, final payments, and warranty management.
• Commissioning: If the owner wants to involve a commissioning agent, the owner’s representative will coordinate the process and ensure smooth commissioning and training on behalf of the owner.
• Warranty management: Monitor and facilitate any warranty work that arises after the project is complete.

Business Development

• Help establish and drive the strategic plan to grow the Owner’s Rep practice within Rockwise Strategies through establishing relationships with key clients to understand business needs and drive further business development opportunities.
• Build an active pipeline of RFQ’s and RFP’s, and draft and execute proposals.
• Successfully lead the response process for all Owner’s Rep opportunities.

Education

Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field. Additional coursework in drafting and estimating is preferred.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies, and Experience

• Minimum (8) eight years of full-in-charge project management experience required.
• Experience in Owner’s Representation or Owner’s Project Management preferred.
• Working knowledge of Procore is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience in problem-solving and crisis management.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• OSHA 30 Hour Certification. 
• Prefer LEED AP or equivalent.
• Prefer First Aid/CPR/AED Certification through Red Cross. 
• Prefer SWPPP Certification. 

Other Requirements

• May provide leadership, knowledge, and mentorship to other Rockwise Strategies team members. 
• A valid driver's license.
• Must possess a clean criminal background and pass a drug test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Employee must be able to communicate effectively in a typical office environment with a standard level of office noise. Occasional standing, bending, walking, and minor lifting are also required.

Employees may be required to visit construction jobsites, which may expose the employee to dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions, and extreme temperatures. In addition, employees must be able to move around project sites. This includes climbing ladders, scaffolding, walking on uneven surfaces, walking long distances, and climbing stairs. Noise will typically be moderate.

Rockwise Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate solely on the basis of a person’s race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class as consistent with applicable law.