Jobs › Clune Construction

Senior Project Manager - Mission Critical

Clune Construction · Joliet, IL · $134,000–$152,000 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 3, 2025 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This project is a mission critical build in Minooka. Tell me about a data center or mission critical project you led and what made it different from a typical commercial job.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the redundancy, commissioning and schedule pressure unique to mission critical work.

You've taken a lead role in RFP responses before. Tell me about a pitch you helped win and what made it work.

What they are checking: Whether they can help win work, which the posting lists as an active duty.

Tell me about a time a project was trending over budget. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they spot cost problems early and take action to reach financial goals.

How do you organize and develop your internal project team on a long job?

What they are checking: Whether they lead and grow project engineers and superintendents, not just manage tasks.

What would you do

The client wants to accelerate the energization date by six weeks. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can analyze feasibility, cost and risk honestly before making commitments to a client.

A key subcontractor is falling behind and it's threatening the critical path. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act fast with recovery plans and keep pressure without destroying the relationship.

How do you manage change orders with a sophisticated client who pushes back on cost?

What they are checking: Whether they document changes well and negotiate fairly while protecting the project's margin.

About the work

How do you build and manage a budget on a job where long-lead electrical and mechanical equipment drives the schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they can control cost and schedule risk around switchgear, generators and cooling equipment.

Walk me through your approach to bidding and buying out subcontractors on a large project.

What they are checking: Whether they run a disciplined bid process that protects scope, cost and quality.

How do you plan for integrated systems testing and commissioning from the start of the project?

What they are checking: Whether they build commissioning into the schedule rather than treating it as an afterthought.

How do you manage closeout so the client gets everything they need and the job finishes cleanly?

What they are checking: Whether they handle punch lists, documentation and turnover carefully, which affects repeat business.

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The full job description

As published by Clune Construction.

Are you ready to grow your career with a company that values excellence and invests in its people? At Clune Construction, we’re more than builders—we’re a team of driven, collaborative and talented individuals who take pride in delivering exceptional work. Excellence is at the core of everything we do, from the quality of our projects to the way we support our people. As an employee-owned company, we invest in our team, and in return, our people share in our success. This shared commitment has earned us recognition as a Best Place to Work, a US Best Managed Company and a recipient of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics. Whether you’re a seasoned construction professional or looking to bring your expertise to a new area, we welcome you to join our team and make an impact! Job Purpose: The Senior Project Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and completion of construction projects. The core job duties include full responsibility of all phases of construction from budgeting, bidding, cost control, client relations, through closeout. This role is also responsible for organizing the project team, both internal and external for the project life cycle, including reporting and achieving the project financial goals. Please note : This project will be located in Minooka, IL Essential Functions: • Active participation in RFP responses, including taking a lead role in developing presentations, and leading the pitch. • Lead preconstruction efforts including from budgets or existing condition review during the schematic design through final budget approval. • Manage the contract review process with owner and subcontract contracts. • Provide guidance, direction and leadership to project team on project issues. • Oversee the project cost control and budget management processes. • Develop Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers on the team by providing guidance, support, mentoring, and leading by example. • Lead business development efforts and client relationship management by organizing client events, maintaining relationships with designers and clients, and actively seeking out new relationships with potential future clients. • Contribute to the growth of the company by participating in intern or entry-level candidate interviews, signing up to participate in the Mentoring Program, and supporting the Intern Program. • Ability to develop training content and lead training classes on relevant content such as industry and company best practices, technical skills, and human skills. • Role model professionally for all team members. Supervisory Responsibilities: • This role may have supervisory responsibilities of a Project Manager, an Assistant Project Manager, a Project Engineer and/or an Intern. What We Offer At Clune Construction we value each of our employees and care about their wellbeing. We strive to provide best-in-class benefits packages, including: • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with 100% of monthly premiums paid by the company • Employee Stock Ownership Plan • 401k Retirement Plan with Company Match • Employee Assistance Program • Company-paid and Voluntary Life Insurance Plans • Company-paid Short Term and Long Term Disability • Flexible Spending, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans • Career Development through Mentoring Program, Learning & Development, Continuing Education • Fitness Program • Pet Insurance Core Values and Behaviors Clune Construction is proud to have Core Values and Behaviors that all of our employees represent. These Core Values are: Safety, Service, Teamwork, Respect, Excellence, Leadership and Innovation. Performance is evaluated with these Core Values in mind. Job Requirements: • Conscientious and flexible, with a strong work ethic and team-first attitude. • Highly motivated with strong skills in time management and prioritization. • Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills required. Must have the ability to relate and interact with higher-end clientele. • Strong estimating and budgeting skills. Must have the ability to prepare and submit responses to requests for lump-sum bids. • Strong financial accumen to manage budget and financials for both internal and external reporting. • Must have strong skills in drawing review. • Solid written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks. • All candidates must provide references and project list. Education and Experience: • Bachelor Degree in Construction Management, Architecture or Engineering is preferred, but strong work experience will be considered. • 9+ years of construction project management experience; or Bachelors degree with 5+ years of construction project management experience; or Masters degree with 3+ years of construction project management experience. • 2-3 years of experience specifically in commercial construction. • Experience managing all aspects of field operations including scheduling, quality control, and coordinating sub-contractors. • Solid background in construction trades and technical knowledge. • Proficiency with scheduling software. Pay Range: $134,000-$152,000 The salary range listed reflects a broad scope of potential earnings for this position. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, and internal equity. Please note that it is not common for candidates to be hired at the top of the range. We encourage open communication about compensation expectations during the hiring process. All candidates must provide a resume. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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