The Senior Traveling Project Manager is responsible for leading complex projects and multi-site programs from design through closeout, ensuring successful execution across permitting, construction, quality control, occupancy, scheduling, budget management, and stakeholder engagement. This role serves as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and execution expertise throughout the project lifecycle.
Recognized as a senior contributor and subject matter expert, the Senior Traveling Project Manager influences project strategy, drives decision-making, and proactively identifies opportunities to improve project outcomes. This individual partners closely with leadership, clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams to deliver exceptional service while maintaining alignment with project objectives, business goals, and client expectations.
The Senior Traveling Project Manager is expected to independently lead projects and programs across multiple geographic markets, manage complex stakeholder environments, and support national client accounts requiring significant travel. Success in this role requires strong leadership, executive presence, adaptability, and the ability to effectively navigate varying project environments while maintaining a consistent focus on client satisfaction and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
Strategic Project Leadership
- Lead the successful execution of complex projects and multi-site programs through all phases of delivery including planning, design, permitting, procurement, construction, occupancy, and closeout.
- Develop project strategies that align client objectives, operational requirements, budgets, schedules, and execution plans.
- Identify project risks and opportunities early, implementing proactive solutions that support successful outcomes.
- Provide leadership and direction to project teams while ensuring consistency in delivery standards, processes, and client experience.
- Oversee projects located across multiple geographic markets and support national client programs.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary client contact and strategic advisor on assigned projects and programs.
- Establish trusted relationships with client leadership and key stakeholders.
- Lead complex client discussions, manage expectations, and facilitate decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and enhance client satisfaction.
- Represent the organization during executive meetings, site visits, project reviews, and stakeholder engagements.
Program & Portfolio Coordination
- Manage multiple concurrent projects and client initiatives while balancing competing priorities and business objectives.
- Coordinate activities across project teams, contractors, consultants, vendors, and operational stakeholders.
- Ensure alignment between individual project goals and overall client program objectives.
- Support portfolio planning efforts through resource forecasting, workload management, and execution planning.
Schedule Management & Project Controls
- Oversee development and management of project schedules, milestone plans, and project controls processes.
- Monitor schedule performance, identify critical path risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
- Facilitate project reviews to ensure accountability and milestone achievement.
- Lead recovery planning efforts when schedule, occupancy, or operational goals are at risk.
- Ensure stakeholders remain informed regarding project status, opportunities, and risks.
Financial Management
- Manage project budgets, forecasting activities, cash flow tracking, change management, and cost controls.
- Analyze financial performance and make recommendations to improve project outcomes.
- Identify and proactively address budget risks and potential cost impacts.
- Support accurate reporting and financial accountability throughout project execution.
- Collaborate with leadership and finance partners regarding forecasting and project performance.
Construction Leadership & Site Coordination
- Provide leadership throughout active construction phases and maintain visibility into project progress through routine site engagement.
- Coordinate with contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, inspectors, and client stakeholders.
- Monitor quality, schedule performance, turnover readiness, commissioning activities, and operational milestones.
- Support issue resolution and facilitate collaboration among all project participants.
- Ensure project activities remain aligned with client objectives and project requirements.
Contract Administration & Risk Management
- Maintain a thorough understanding of contractual obligations and project requirements.
- Lead discussions regarding contract compliance, project risks, and execution strategies.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to scope, schedule, budget, procurement, construction, and occupancy.
- Escalate critical concerns as necessary while developing practical solutions and recommendations.
Executive Communication & Reporting
- Prepare and deliver project updates for clients, executive stakeholders, and internal leadership.
- Develop reporting tools, dashboards, and project summaries that facilitate decision-making.
- Analyze project performance data and communicate meaningful insights.
- Support strategic discussions regarding business priorities, project performance, and client objectives.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Provide day-to-day guidance and mentorship to Project Managers, Associate Project Managers, and other junior team members.
- Support professional development through coaching, knowledge sharing, and project leadership.
- Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across project teams.
- Contribute to development of standards, best practices, and lessons learned.
Procurement, Logistics & Operational Readiness
- Oversee procurement and logistics activities supporting project execution and occupancy readiness.
- Coordinate relocation, furniture, equipment, technology, and operational planning efforts as required.
- Identify potential procurement risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Ensure successful transition from construction completion to operational occupancy.
Travel & Mobility Expectations
- Travel is a fundamental component of this role.
- Support projects and client programs throughout the United States and other assigned markets as required.
- Travel expectations may range from 50% to 75% based on project assignments, client requirements, and program responsibilities.
- Participate in project mobilization efforts, site visits, milestone reviews, executive stakeholder meetings, occupancy activities, and closeout engagements.
- Comfortable operating independently within new project environments and geographically dispersed teams.
- Ability to develop effective relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders across multiple regions.
- Ability to adapt quickly to changing project priorities, schedules, and business needs.
Requirements
Experience
- Typically, 10+ years of project management experience in construction, facilities, owner's representation, development, corporate real estate, or related industries.
- Proven experience managing large-scale or highly complex projects through planning, design, permitting, construction, occupancy, and closeout.
- Demonstrated success leading multiple concurrent projects and client programs.
- Experience managing project budgets, forecasting, schedules, stakeholder relationships, and operational risks.
- Experience supporting projects across multiple jurisdictions, markets, or geographic regions.
- Experience working within mission critical, data center, healthcare, life sciences, industrial, manufacturing, corporate workplace, hospitality, commercial, or other complex construction environments preferred.
Skills
- Advanced project leadership and client management capabilities.
- Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
- Strong project controls, scheduling, and risk management expertise.
- Ability to manage complex stakeholder groups and drive consensus.
- Ability to lead projects and teams in geographically dispersed environments.
- Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency with project man