Lead Project Manager

Company: Object Construction, Inc.
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description The Lead Project Manager is a senior, hands-on project leader responsible for managing complex projects while also supporting, guiding, and leveling up Project Managers and Associate Project Managers through peer leadership and day-to-day execution support. This is a contributor–manager role: the Lead Project Manager owns projects directly, serves as a benchmark for project delivery excellence, and provides structure, prioritization, and problem-solving leadership to the PM team under the direction of executive leadership and the Director of Project Management. The Lead Project Manager plays a critical role in translating high-level direction into practical execution adapting project management disciplines to real-world fabrication, experiential, and live-event constraints while maintaining schedule, budget, quality, and client confidence. Key ResponsibilitiesProject Leadership & Execution (Primary Responsibility) Independently manage complex, high-visibility projects from kickoff through closeout; with volume of assignments aligned with Team Enablement duties. Own day-to-day execution across engineering/drafting, procurement, fabrication, finishing, logistics, installation, and strike. Anticipate risks, constraints, and production bottlenecks; proactively develop mitigation strategies. Maintain strong client relationships through consistent communication, expectation-setting, and problem resolution. Lead project-level meetings including kickoffs, production check-ins, and internal alignment sessions. Team Enablement & Peer Management Serve as a working lead and execution benchmark for Project Managers and Associate Project Managers. Provide day-to-day guidance, prioritization support, and problem-solving assistance to the PM team. Review schedules, budgets, and project plans to ensure consistency, feasibility, and adherence to standards. Support onboarding, training, and development of PMs through hands-on coaching and shared delivery. Escalate systemic issues, resourcing constraints, or process gaps to the Director of Project Management or Executive Leadership. Organization, Planning & Adaptive PM Practices Apply structured project management practices while adapting tools and processes to project scale, complexity, and production realities. Help ongoing development and reinforcement of the company’s Project Management Methodology (PMM) through real-world usage and adaptation. Maintain clear project documentation, including scopes, schedules, budgets, change logs, and decision records. Contribute to portfolio-level planning by providing accurate forecasting on timelines, labor needs, and risks. Financial & Schedule Accountability Own project-level budgets, labor tracking, vendor spend, and cost-to-complete forecasting. Identify and address margin risks including scope creep, rework, overtime, expedited logistics, and delayed approvals. Support disciplined change management: documentation, pricing, approvals, and schedule impact communication. Ensure projects are billed accurately and closed out in a timely manner. Cross-Functional & Field Coordination Coordinate closely with Engineering/Drafting, Fabrication, Scenic Paint, CNC/Sculptural, and Installation teams. Ensure readiness for site work, including site surveys, access constraints, venue and rigging requirements, and install sequencing. Support quality control across materials, fabrication, finish, structural integrity, and brand requirements. Safety, Professionalism & Culture Model disciplined adherence to safety, compliance, and company procedures in shop and field environments. Knowledge of PMI standards is a plus. Maintain professionalism with clients, vendors, and internal teams. Contribute to a culture of accountability, clarity, and continuous improvement without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. Qualifications 6–9 years of project management experience in scenic fabrication, experiential fabrication, live events, exhibits, or custom production environments. Demonstrated success managing complex, schedule-driven projects end-to-end. Experience mentoring or informally leading other Project Managers or coordinators. Strong organizational and prioritization skills in high-change, deadline-driven environments. Ability to apply project management best practices pragmatically, adapting structure to fit production realities. Excellent client-facing communication and problem-solving skills. Solid financial understanding of project budgets, labor planning, and margin management. Proficient in reading and interpreting drawings, shop drawings, and fabrication documentation. Software familiarity preferred in Google Workspace; Excel/Sheets; Smartsheet, Monday, Asana; familiarity with SketchUp, Illustrator, or CAD is a plus. Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends as required by project demands. Benefits Competitive Salary Benefit Eligible Paid Vacation / PTO

Keywords: Object Construction, Inc., Santa Barbara , Lead Project Manager, Engineering , Los Angeles, California