Careers at HELM

Project Manager

Who We're Looking For

HELM is seeking a full-time construction Project Manager to join our growing team and expand our impact. Our ideal candidate is an experienced project manager who has worked in high-end residential and light commercial construction for a minimum of 10 years and can juggle managing multiple projects at the same time. You will work with a variety of different builders, architects, and owners to provide project management services, scheduling, estimating, and general support and training throughout the pre-construction and construction phases of a project.

Communication and organization skills, along with hands-on experience in the construction trades, are key to success in this role. Familiarity with green building techniques, net zero construction, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge is a plus. Experience with construction estimating and project management software is preferred. Humble leaders with a strong desire to teach will thrive at HELM.

Working for HELM

We offer the opportunity to work from anywhere in the United States, in a fully virtual workplace. HELM offers a competitive compensation package (salary $85,000 annually) including generous paid time off, health insurance reimbursement, short and long-term disability insurance, and retirement contributions.

We prioritize applications from folks from equity-seeking groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Color, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of those identities.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume. This position is open until filled.

Key Responsibilities:

General

• Represent the interests of HELM client and/or the client’s project

• Assist in the development of templates and SOPs relevant to project management

• Train clients on how to use HELM templates

• Cultivate and maintain a strong client relationship

• Train, model, teach, and mentor project management skills

• Identify areas for growth and development in the client’s production team

• Suggest and facilitate solutions to a client’s production pain points

• Collaborate with HELM colleagues to support the creation of a unified client strategy

• Meeting facilitation including agenda setting, timekeeping, and follow-up notes

• Support the implementation of job cost accounting systems including time tracking and job reporting

• Support Site Leads and Project Managers at client companies

• Review documents for clients, including but not limited to proposals, estimates, contracts, job descriptions; and provide editing and writing support.

• As needed, create guiding documents explaining processes tailored to specific companies

• Conduct regular “check-in” calls with business owners and key staff

• Provide hiring support for production personnel as needed and directed by the client’s Business Consultant

• Understand and recommend HELM services

• Perform product and code research

Throughout Production Process

• Support product selection options

• Support in customizing the client’s production process map

• Evaluate and update production process systems including change orders, estimating, takeoffs, and closeouts

• Attend project meetings with the Builder, Architect, and Owners, as needed

• Prepare project team meeting agendas and take detailed notes and distribute minutes

• As needed, facilitate meetings on behalf of the client

• Manage, review, and understand project documents

• Demonstrate a general understanding of the application of energy codes and building code compliance

• Support project invoicing, and job cost tracking

• Change orders

• Set up file-sharing systems for project team organization

• Support third-party building certification documentation (LEED, LBC, PHIUS)

• Reinforce the project schedule as a tool for decisions and management

• Support client with setting up and maintaining Lead Tracker and Production Schedule

• Assist with the assignment of crew members/resources

• Assist with screening candidates for field and PM positions

• Set and maintain realistic expectations

• Prepare for and lead difficult conversations

Sales / Leads

• Prepare sample documents for HELM clients to share with their clients

• Confirm lead intake information is entered and tracked

• Support HELM client to create preliminary pricing and confirm specific project process

• Understand project goals from each stakeholder

• Assist HELM client to determine budget allowance for Precon contract

• Assist HELM client with drafting Precon contract and communicate that all contracts should be vetted by an attorney

Pre-construction and Design

• Permit and zoning requirements: facilitate, review, and manage timelines for local permitting and zoning requirements as needed

• Create and distribute Requests For Proposals and Requests For Information

• Draft Material and Labor Take-offs – must be reviewed and approved by HELM client

• Confirm project billing rates, markups, and terms

• Identify project-specific vendor and trade partner team for the project

• Use the BEAM Calculator to track carbon emissions and footprint when applicable

• Participate in both feasibility budgeting and detailed estimating (ie SD, DD, VE, CD)

• Generate construction agreements from templates and communicate that all contracts should be vetted by an attorney

• Develop detailed pre-construction schedules including decisions, critical paths, and milestones

• Organize and/or attend project meetings

Project Kick Off

• Set up physical or digital project binders for site supervisors

• Set up a shared file system for project team organization

• Facilitate project kick-off meetings with construction teams

Construction

• Assist HELM client to determine billable/non-billable items/events

• Assist with project invoicing, change orders, and job cost tracking

• Review and code receipts (vendors, trade partners)

• Review budget vs. actuals and assess whether the project is on track or not

• Verify specifications before material/product orders

• Maintain project schedule

• Lead or assist in regular meetings with Architect, Owner, and Site Lead including agenda and notes

Project Closeout

• Create Owners’ Manuals at project completion, as needed

• Final reconciliations of allowances with change orders and assist in preparation of final invoice

• Organize and/or attend project post-mortem meetings

• Confirm stakeholder goals were met

• Conduct interview with Owner at end of project

• Review financial reports and generate accurate final GPM for project

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years of project management experience in both residential and commercial construction.

• Excellent communication and organization skills.

• Ability to train clients on sales, pre-construction, estimating, scheduling, and project management systems.

• Aptitude with technology, including video and phone communications, construction estimating, and project management software.

• Familiarity with green building techniques, net zero construction, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge.

• Passion for being part of a progressive mission-driven company that is committed to climate justice with an understanding of the intersections of climate change with racism, capitalism, and patriarchy.

Hiring Process

Hiring Timeline

May 8 – June 1: Review applications

Week of June 2: First round interviews begin

Week of June 9: Second round interviews begin

Week of June 16: Finalist interviews

Week of June 23: Offer made

July 7: Ideal start date (flexible)

July 14-16: All-company retreat in New Hampshire

All interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Please note that these dates are subject to change.

Interview Process

All interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Finalists will be asked to provide the names of up to three references (someone you report to, someone who reports to you, and another of your choosing).

If you need accommodations to make this application happen, please reach out to us, and a team member will be able to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.

Compensation

$85,000/year, exempt salaried position based on a standard 35 hours/week. Benefits include generous paid time off, health insurance reimbursement, short and long-term disability insurance, and retirement contributions. HELM is committed to pay equity, and our goal is to eliminate systemic bias and discrimination that relates to the historical undervaluation of work. We are committed to ensuring that all HELM employees are compensated equitably for performing the same or similar work, or work of equal value. HELM uses fixed-tier compensation and lists hourly rates in job descriptions as part of our anti-oppression mission. Everyone working at the same job tier—Project Manager, Business Consultant, etc.—is compensated equally. Compensation in each tier is equal regardless of geographic location, years of experience, education level, etc. Openness about wages lets us course-correct for internal biases around negotiating and ensure that equal work receives equal compensation.

Remote Work Policies

We anticipate your primary workspace will be your home office, and we offer workspace in our Brattleboro, VT office for those who want to work in the office. Some travel will be required to project sites. You will be paid for approved travel time and compensated for mileage at IRS standard rates. HELM will provide a laptop computer and any necessary office furniture or supplies that you need to have a productive workspace.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HELM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. HELM complies with all laws governing nondiscrimination in all areas regarding employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. HELM firmly prohibits any form of unlawful employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, marital status or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. Interfering with the ability of any employee to perform their job duties is not tolerated.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)

HELM complies with all federal and state laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities. The company prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. The company will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation and/or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to HELM. If you believe you need accommodation because of your disability, you should request accommodation from your manager.