Ionic Open Roles

Project Manager – Owner’s Representative / Real Estate Development

Location: Greater Boston, MA
Type: Full-Time
Experience: 8-12 years

About Us:
Ionic Development Company is an owner's project management firm with offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We serve as Owner's Project Managers (OPMs) for institutional, public, commercial, and residential clients. Our team is involved from pre-development through construction and closeout, acting as a strategic partner that manages risk, budget, and execution on complex building projects.

Position Summary:
We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead projects from early planning through turnover. You will be the owner's day-to-day lead and primary point of contact, running design and construction teams, protecting budget and schedule, and guiding clients through the decisions that shape their projects. Experience with technically complex buildings is strongly preferred. This role works directly with the firm's principals, leads and mentors Assistant Project Managers, and has a clear path to growing with the firm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership and Client Relationship

   Serve as the owner's lead and primary point of contact on multiple concurrent projects.

   Build and manage the master project budget and schedule, and report progress on budget, schedule, and scope to clients and principals.

   Support business development, including proposals, fee estimates, qualifications packages, and interviews.

• Pre-Design and Design

   Lead programming and consultant selection, including architects, MEP engineers, and commissioning agents.

   Manage the design team so plans meet budget, program, and quality expectations.

• Review design documents for constructibility at each issuance, with close attention to complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and process systems, and manage design review comments.

   Run the value engineering process with the design and construction teams.

   Monitor the design schedule and manage changes or additions.

   Coordinate with the design team on all approvals and permits from local and state agencies. Procurement and Contract Administration

   Prepare and manage RFPs and RFQs for designers, construction managers, and owner-direct vendors such as lab equipment, furniture, IT, security, and moves.

   Lead bid evaluation and contract negotiations.

   Make sure all contracts align with the budget, insurance, and legal requirements.

• Construction Phase Management

   Walk the site weekly to review schedule and requisitions against work in place.

   Oversee quality on site and manage third-party testing and inspection vendors.

   Lead monthly pencil pay application reviews and monthly budget reconciliations against the project master budget.

   Run monthly change order reviews covering cost and responsibility, and align with ownership for approval.

   Coordinate shutdowns, phasing, and user group needs in occupied or operating facilities.

• Commissioning, Closeout, and Turnover

   Manage commissioning of building and lab systems, such as HVAC, lab exhaust, controls, and process utilities, and support validation where required.

   Manage occupancy permits, retainage release, and final payments for all contractors.

   Drive punch lists through completion and make sure warranties, as-builts, operations manuals, and training are handed over to ownership.

• Reporting and Risk Management

   Identify and mitigate risks across all project phases.

   Maintain complete project documentation for accountability.

What We’re Looking For:

• 8 to 12 years of project management experience in owner's representation/ project management, construction management, or real estate development, with a track record of leading projects from design through closeout.

• Strong working knowledge of complex building systems, construction sequencing, contract structures, and commissioning.

• Experience managing multi-million-dollar project budgets, pay applications, and change orders.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Construction Management or a related field.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, and comfort presenting to owners, boards, and municipal stakeholders

• Organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

• Comfortable using AI tools to improve efficiency in everyday project work.

• Regional travel to job sites and client meetings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation with bonus potential.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid vacation and holidays.

• Hybrid work structure with regular travel to job sites and client meetings.

• Direct work with the firm's principals and a path to leadership in a growing firm.

How to Apply:
Send your resume and a short cover letter highlighting your project leadership and technical building experience, using the subject line "PM Application, First and Last Name", to Laura Guest at laura@buildionic.com.

Ionic Development Co. (“Ionic”) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to:

• Race, color, religion, creed, or religious belief

• National origin or ancestry

• Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression

• Pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions

• Age (40 and over)

• Marital status

• Disability (mental or physical)

• Genetic information

• Military or veteran status

• Any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Ionic complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment, including Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B.