Assistant Project Manager

$70,000-$85,000 DOE

Company: Southern Spear Ironworks (Iron Crown family of companies)

Location: Chattanooga, TN (with travel across the Southeast)

Reports To: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager

Southern Spear Ironworks is seeking a general-contractor-minded Assistant Project Manager to support the full lifecycle of structural steel fabrication and erection projects across the Southeast. This role is ideal for a candidate who thinks like a GC—anticipating downstream impacts, coordinating across trades, and driving schedule and budget accountability from buyout through closeout. The APM works alongside Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators, and Detailers to keep projects on track, on budget, and in compliance.

Project Coordination

• Support PMs in managing steel fabrication and erection projects from award through final acceptance
• Coordinate with general contractors, owners, architects, engineers, and other trades to align schedules and resolve conflicts
• Track and expedite submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, and approvals to protect fabrication and erection sequencing
• Maintain and update project schedules; flag delays and long-lead items proactively

Documentation & Controls

• Prepare and process subcontracts, purchase orders, change orders, and owner/GC change requests
• Maintain project logs (RFI, submittal, change order, and correspondence) and document control systems
• Assist with monthly pay applications, billing, and cost tracking against budget
• Support job costing and labor tracking, including OT and productivity analysis

Field & Fabrication Support

• Serve as a liaison between the field/erection crews, shop, and office
• Coordinate material deliveries, crane and rigging needs, and site logistics with the erection team
• Assist superintendents with daily reports, manpower planning, and safety documentation
• Conduct site visits to verify progress, quality, and adherence to drawings and specifications

Compliance

• Support prevailing wage and certified payroll compliance on federal and public projects (Davis-Bacon, LCPtracker)
• Assist with OSHA recordkeeping and jobsite safety compliance
• Ensure project documentation meets contract and audit requirements

Required

• 2 years of experience in project management, project engineering, or field coordination in commercial construction
• Familiarity with structural steel, miscellaneous metals, or heavy civil/industrial construction
• Ability to read and interpret structural drawings, shop drawings, and specifications
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• Excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable interfacing with GCs and owners
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to jobsites across the Southeast

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Structural Engineering, or related field
• Experience with construction management software (Procore, Bluebeam, or similar)
• Exposure to federal contracting and prevailing wage compliance
• Experience with steel detailing software (SDS2, Tekla) a plus
• OSHA 30 certification

• GC mindset: sees the whole project, not just the steel scope
• Proactive problem solver who anticipates issues before they hit the field
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through
• Thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Team player who builds strong relationships across the shop, field, and office

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Career growth within the Iron Crown family of companies