Sr. Project Manager / Design Build Manager

Tunista Construction LLC

Regular

Pay Range: $155,00 - $185,000

Why choose us?

As a proud subsidiary of Calista Brice, we're part of a family of 20+ companies tackling tough construction, environmental, and technical challenges. Working at a Calista Brice company means joining a team where cultural values and practical innovation come together to create meaningful impact. You'll experience the stability of a large organization while enjoying the tight-knit community and entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company, with opportunities to grow your career across our diverse family of businesses.

Calista Brice is owned by Calista Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ANCs were created to support economic development and self-determination for Alaska's Indigenous peoples. Our work directly contributes to advancing the social, cultural, and economic welfare of over 35,000 Alaska Natives in the Calista Region.

What does Tunista Construction LLC do?

Tunista Construction delivers heavy civil contracting services throughout Washington State, building a strong reputation with major government agencies and private clients. Our portfolio includes successful design-build and bid-build projects for the Department of Defense, Washington State Department of Transportation, and various public and private entities, giving you exposure to diverse project types and construction methods. Our culture emphasizes safety, quality, and results-focused execution. You'll develop valuable construction skills while contributing to significant infrastructure projects that improve transportation and facilities across the region.

Tunista Construction is a proud subsidiary of Calista Brice, a group of 20+ companies delivering construction, engineering, and environmental solutions across the United States.

What can you expect?

As the Senior Project Manager (SPM) / Design-Build Manager, you will work onsite in Tacoma, WA in a dual-role leadership position responsible for successfully delivering complex construction projects while actively developing people, processes, and standards across the Project Management group. This role remains directly involved in project execution but carries expanded responsibility for mentorship, culture leadership, and continuous improvement. You are expected to lead by example—setting the standard for how Tunista team members behave, communicate, and make decisions in alignment with our core values: Community, Integrity, Execution, Ownership, and Diversity.

In addition, you will lead the development and implementation of Tunista’s Design-Build program. With the majority of our work delivered via design-build, you will establish standardized processes, clarify handoffs between estimating, operations, and project teams, and ensure no critical steps are lost during transitions.

How will you do it?

• Develop/improve processes and lead project team members to plan, organize and direct activities to successfully perform multiple projects.
• Mentor and coach Project Engineers and Project Managers, with a strong focus on developing technical skill, leadership presence, and professional judgment.
• Actively support the transition of senior Project Engineers into Project Manager roles through structured training and real-time coaching.
• Serve as Project Manager on assigned projects, maintaining responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
• Lead project teams through all phases of work, from preconstruction through closeout.
• Proactively identify and manage risk, change, and opportunities to improve project outcomes.
• Serve as Design-Build Manager, leading the refinement and standardization of Tunista’s design-build approach.
• Develop a clear Design-Build SOP manual covering:
  • Preconstruction involvement
  • Design coordination and management
  • Estimating and operations collaboration
  • Risk allocation and decision authority
  • Handoff points between estimating, operations, and project teams
• Establish clear processes for when and how transitions occur to ensure continuity, accountability, and no loss of critical information.
• Work closely with estimating and operations leadership to align expectations, responsibilities, and communication throughout the design-build lifecycle.
• Assist project team members with scheduling and project requirements as needed.
• Establish project objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards within the boundaries of corporate policy and contract specifications.
• Oversee drafting and implementation of the project specific safety plans.  Review job loss analysis’ (JLA’s) for applicability and compliance.
• Ensure quality control plans are implemented and align with contract documents.
• Monitor and control project utilizing onsite management staff to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Revise working budget with client Engineers as required.
• Maintain project schedule and project completion deliverables and communicate the information to General Manager, owner, and subcontractors on a regular basis.
• Assist in maintaining financial records of contracts to protect company interest and maintain good relations with customers and subcontractors.
• Update and review forecasted contract revenues, cost to complete, and cash flow projections monthly.
• Ensure cost forecasts are accurately updated and cost analysis reports are communicated weekly.
• Requisition supplies and materials to complete projects as needed.
• Acquire necessary permits. 
• Ensure compliance with conditions and reporting requirements.
• Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to administrative staff including job cost coding and quantity tracking.
• Ensure project teams are coordinating and forecasting resources, schedules, maintenance, and repair needs.
• Provide feedback, guidance, and accountability to help grow confident, capable future leaders within the company.
• Model and reinforce expected behaviors aligned with Tunista’s core values in all situations, including difficult conversations, conflict resolution, and high-pressure decision-making.
• Act as a culture carrier for Tunista, consistently reinforcing company values through actions and decisions.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
• Take ownership of outcomes—both successes and challenges—and encourage the same mindset across teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen performance, consistency, and team engagement.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for owners, designers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Represent company at project meetings.
• Update pricing of change impacts as required.
• Assist with and manage preparation of control budgets.
• Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Functions:

This position will supervise project staff and administrative staff on multiple projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advance knowledge of various field construction concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of construction, architectural, and building industry standard operating practices/procedures.
• Advance knowledge in preparing accurate budgets and cost estimates, knowledge of fiscal management principles and procedures.
• Ability to create, read, and understand complex documents, construction plans and specification.
• Ability to use standard business computer and applications, specifically computer software programs used in project management, scheduling, and estimating, including but not limited to HCSS programs, Procore, Smart Sheets, Microsoft Office Suite, and Microsoft Project.
• Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities, meeting deadlines and general time management.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Effective professional communication and interpersonal skills regarding; internal and external written, graphical, and verbal communications, presentations and negotiation.
• Working with other departments and personnel to accomplish project objectives.
• Strong self-motivation and work ethic; ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with customers and organizations, exceptional follow-up skills. 
• Ability to work productively under pressure.
• Excellent analytical and forecasting skills; ability to draw conclusions and justify decisions.
• Ability to actively listen and provide high quality customer service.
• Ability to do business ethically with customers, vendors, and co-workers. 
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations, detect unobvious facts and issues, and exercise resourcefulness in resolving problems.
• Ability to collaborate, partner, and exercise change management skills.
• Knowledge of basic revenue models, project ledger, and cost-to-completion projections.
• Ability to comply with and enforce standard policies and procedures.
• Ability to perform under deadlines and adjust work schedule to meet goals
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of rate reimbursable contracts.
• Knowledge of construction project scheduling, subcontracts, submittals, quality control and safety. 
• Ability to work independently and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule sometimes including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work in a Native Corporation multi-business environment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.

Who is Tunista Construction looking for?

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management required. Work-related experience and equivalent skills may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Fifteen (15) or more years of experience managing projects, preferably in the heavy civil construction and oil and gas markets required.
• Valid state driver’s license and be qualified to operate a vehicle under the conditions of the company’s Driving Policy.
• Ability to pass a drug, driving, and background screenings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional certification (PMP) preferred.
• Experience with Autodesk Civil 3D, HCSS HeavyBid, HCSS and HeavyJob software preferred.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Tunista Construction has a fast-paced multi-tasking office and field environment requiring a high degree of efficient and effective performance.  At times, work is performed outside of the office at indoor and outdoor job sites.  Adaptability regarding schedule and design changes, and occasional overtime for immediate field support or bid processing may be necessary.

More reasons you will love working with Tunista Construction LLC:

• Competitive wages and bonus programs – We believe in developing our employees to progressively advance in their careers.  We achieve this by providing you with annual performance reviews with recommendations on training to achieve your goals.
• Mentorship Program designed for employees to formalize a working relationship between seasoned professionals and young professionals to develop specific areas of knowledge to grow their careers within the family of companies.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Health insurance through the Federal Employee Benefit Program (FEHB) with many plans to choose from with ridiculously low employee premiums.
• FSA health care and/or dependent care/HSA with HDHP.
• Dental and Vision Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• Company paid Life Insurance, AD&D, & LTD.
• Voluntary paid Life Insurance and AD&D as well as STD, Accident, Cancer/Critical illness, and Whole Life Insurance.
• Paid time off (based on an employee having 2080 paid regular hours per year (40 hours per week). May increase per years of service in eligible status.)
• 0-2 years 15 days
• 3-5 years 23 days
• 6-9 years 27 days
• 10-14 years 30 days
• 15-19 years 33 days
• 20 or more years 37.5 days
• 10 Regular Holidays, 1 Bonus – Work Anniversary “Floating” Holiday. Eligible after 1 year of service, must be taken within the calendar year.
• 401(K) match at $0.50 on the dollar up to 6% of your contribution.

*Benefits may vary based on status of position and subject to associated plan eligibility provisions, or company handbook. For questions, please email the Human Resources Department at recruitment@calistabrice.com  

How do you apply?

Please visit our careers page at www.calistabrice.com and select Tunista Construction LLC under the company tab.

You have questions, or need assistance with applicant accommodation, how do you reach a recruiter from Tunista Construction LLC?  Simply reach out to recruitment@calistabrice.com  

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

Join us and let’s get started!

For the full job description including physical and environmental demands please reach out to recruitment@calistabrice.com

PREFERENCE STATEMENT
Preference will be given to Calista shareholders and their descendants and to spouses of Calista shareholders, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g).

EEO STATEMENT
Additionally, it is our policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
It is Calista and Subsidiaries' business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
 
The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.
 
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.