Project Operations Manager (Construction)

WHY JOIN US

Gateway Group is a Hamilton-based design-build company specializing in residential renovations, additions, new construction, and multi-unit housing, including non-profit and affordable housing projects. We’re a hands-on team focused on quality work, a great client experience, and continuously improving how we deliver projects.

Purpose of the Role

Gateway Group is hiring a Project Operations Manager to own the project side of delivery: schedules, budgets, trade awarding, purchase orders, change orders, and client handoffs. Reporting directly to the President, you will work alongside our Construction Manager, who owns field execution (sites, trades, construction quality, safety, and inspections), as a peer on our leadership team, and lead our project coordinator.

This is a hands-on role focused on project execution, financial control, and accountability. You will build and maintain schedules and budgets, protect gross margins, drive commitments to completion, and continuously improve our project management processes.

Schedules

• Develop and maintain project schedules in collaboration with the Construction Manager

• Monitor milestones, identify delays early, and coordinate recovery plans

• Ensure clients, trades, and the team work from the same schedule

Project Execution

• Coordinate priorities across the delivery team and drive commitments to completion

• Proactively resolve or escalate issues that threaten schedules, budgets, or client satisfaction

Budgets and Cost Control

• Build project budgets, track actual and committed costs, and forecast costs to complete

• Actively protect gross margins, identifying variances early and implementing corrective actions

• Provide accurate financial forecasts to accounting

Trade Awarding and Cost Data

• Coordinate trade quotes, scope reviews, and vendor awards in collaboration with the Construction Manager

• Ensure trade contracts and purchase orders are completed before work begins

• Maintain current trade pricing to support accurate estimating

Change Orders

• Scope, price, and get approval on change orders before the work is done, not after

Handoffs and Clients

• Take projects over from sales at contract signing

• Hand a complete plan to the field

• Keep clients updated through closeout

Project Systems

• Improve and implement project management processes and workflows, including evaluating and rolling out appropriate software where needed

• Ensure schedules, budgets, tasks, CRM records, and project files are accurate, current, and consistently used

Team Leadership

• Lead the project coordinator: assign work, review it, and follow up until it is done

• Own your scorecard numbers in the weekly leadership meeting

What Success Looks Like

• Projects hit gross margin targets, and cost variances are caught early

• Change orders are approved before the work happens

• Every active project has one schedule and one budget that the whole team trusts

• Trades are awarded, with signed contracts and purchase orders, well ahead of their start dates

• Estimating cost data reflects current trade pricing

• Clients know where their project stands without having to ask

Additional Information

• Based in the Hamilton area, with regular in-person time with the team, on job sites, and with clients and trades, especially in the first few months

• Some remote work is possible; part of the team works remotely, including outside Canada

• The team operates with daily stand-up meetings, weekly leadership meetings, performance scorecards, and quarterly priorities to maintain alignment, accountability, and consistent execution

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

• 5 or more years as a Project Manager on residential construction or renovation projects; multi-unit experience is a plus

• Has built project schedules and job-cost budgets and run jobs through closeout with little oversight

• Knows the construction process end to end, from permits and trade sequencing to inspections and handover, including the Ontario Building Code

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and a proactive problem-solver who takes ownership, anticipates challenges, and drives solutions independently

• Comfortable with Excel and scheduling or project management software such as MS Project, Procore, or Buildertrend

• Prompt, clear communication with trades, clients, and a partly remote team, with proactive updates and reliable follow-through

Who Thrives at Gateway

• People who take ownership, communicate proactively, follow through on commitments, and take pride in delivering exceptional results

• Values initiative, accountability, collaboration, and stepping up when challenges arise

• Acknowledges messages promptly during working hours, keeps colleagues and clients informed without being chased, raises risks early, and closes the loop on commitments

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Hamilton, Ontario (in person, some remote)

Pay Range: $85,000 to $105,000 annually + benefits