Project Manager
(Based in Illinois)
Why You?
You are looking for something more from your job and career. You love collaboration and teamwork. You dig a balanced life and can wrestle challenges with grace. Your creative energy is looking for an outlet and you are always thinking about what is next. You are bold, full of ideas and want to be part of a team that is hungry to win. If this sounds like you, we would like to talk.
Why Us?
Your work will be amplified as it enables other organizations to deliver great results. That is because Forward Space exists to help clients propel their organizations forward and bring to life spaces and environments that are designed precisely for their purpose. For leading organizations, there is only one direction that matters, and it is FORWARD.
As the leading authorized Steelcase dealer in the Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI markets, Forward Space is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) that offers workspace consultation/planning, procurement, delivery, installation, and on-going maintenance to support our clients’ vision and goals. Serving greater Chicagoland and Milwaukee, while also offering national service capabilities, we help our customers to create innovative work environments that inspire people to excel wherever and however they work. We create environments tailored to the way you do business and that support company culture by encouraging collaboration, fostering creativity, promoting productivity, inspiring innovation, and supporting wellbeing.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us and our mission forward every day. We strive towards inclusion and that means everyone is comfortable bringing their authentic and best self to work every day.
What You Will Do
The Project Manager (PM), reporting to the Director of Orders and Project Management, is responsible for the coordination of contract furniture projects from the approval of the project through the final completion. The PM is engaged to manage details throughout the life-cycle of the project including planning, coordination, scheduling, and oversight of defined elements of the project, ensuring performance quality, and customer satisfaction. The PM also ensures that each project is completed on schedule, that the quality meets all standards, that the projected profit levels are maintained or improved, and that the customer is completely satisfied.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Customer Service
- Acts as the main conduit between Forward Space, customers, installation partners, vendors and others, becoming the main point of contact for the client from the time of order entry until the time of punch list completion.
- Sets expectations internally and externally, providing timely and concise communications to the customer and ensuring that the customer knows what to expect at each phase.
- Provides timely responses to internal and external clients (email, phone correspondence)
Labor Quoting
- Defines the project scope and request labor estimates from outside labor partners.
Project Scope & Planning
- Ensures smooth installation by preparing instructions for delivery and installations, monitoring the preparation of plans for installation, coordinating with Sales Support and Logistics and attending Construction Meetings as required.
- Coordinates with Client and third-party firms such as A&D, electrical/cabling, building management, etc.
- Reviews ship dates to ensure project timelines are met.
- Surveys site to determine site readiness.
Project Manager
- Creates and maintains project schedule.
Project Implementation
- Serves as Dealership representative onsite as Installation crews begin implementation; stays in touch to ensure timelines are being met and plan is executed.
- Inspects final Installation with lead installer and develops punch list; is responsible for punch list resolution.
- Manages accurate and detailed record keeping including order detail, signoffs, schedules, communications, etc.
Project Communication
- Communicates project status with both internal team and external customers. Communication to include roadblocks to success, schedule impacts, & recovery plans.
- Provides frequent updates to client, including schedule, status reporting, and upcoming milestones.
Project Closeout
- Coordinates all final project closeout requirements including lien waivers releases, contract requirements and client signoffs to confirm project completion.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Bachelor’s degree or 3+ years of similar experience within the industry, i.e., Project Manager, Designer, Furniture Installer, Sales, etc.
- Highly accountable with a strong sense of responsibility regarding internal and external customer communication to ensure expectations are met
- Professional, energetic, self-starter with a positive attitude
- Ability to perform at a fast pace
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Strong attention to detail
- Flexible and able to handle stress during peak workload times
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to learn new things quickly and with little supervision, and to work independently
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Autodesk Build, or similar field management software
Why You Will Love Working for Forward Space
- Competitive compensation and 401(k) match
- Career pathing
- Collaborative and supportive culture
- Medical, dental, vision and short- and long-Term Disability
- PTO and Paid Holidays
Enjoy our Perks, Perks, Perks!
- Hybrid work schedule and summer hours
- Free healthy snacks and lunches
- Bring your dog to work
- Annual employee and family events; impromptu celebrations and team outings
- Quarterly company Town Halls with annual community service event
- Company-funded annual charitable giving*
Diversity, Equity an Inclusion at Forward Space
Forward Space exists to help you propel your organization forward, bringing to life the spaces and environments that are designed precisely for your purpose. We strive to build a transparent environment where each employee feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a diverse group of employees that feel respected and included will be more creative, innovative, and successful.
It is the policy of Forward Space to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Accommodation
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made by Forward Space which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or which impose undue hardships on the organization.
