Project Principal

Dowbuilt is adding a Project Principal to our Austin, Texas team. This position partners with the Regional Principal to deliver an exceptional client experience, support business development, lead preconstruction efforts, and guide project teams through construction, closeout, and transition to the Service Department. As the primary senior-level representative for clients, architects, and key stakeholders, the Project Principal is responsible for ensuring exceptional project outcomes, client satisfaction, financial performance, risk management, and team success

WHAT YOU’LL DO
Client Experience & Project Leadership 
Success Outcome: Deliver an exceptional client experience and project outcomes by aligning clients and their 
representation, architects, and internal teams around clear project goals, expectations, and commitments. Incredible client care extends beyond assigned projects/regions. 
Accountabilities: 

• Serve as the senior client relationship manager and executive point of contact for project stakeholders. 
• Establish and proactively communicate project objectives, success criteria, and client commitments from preconstruction through closeout. 
• Maintain a visible and engaged presence with clients, project teams, and field personnel throughout project execution. 
• Support Project Managers and Superintendents in managing project strategy, stakeholder communication, and issue resolution. 
• Ensure project teams consistently revisit and align decisions with established project goals, budgets, schedules, and client expectations. 
• Participate in project kickoff meetings, Internal Project Reviews (IPRs), milestone reviews, and project closeout activities. 
• Support successful project transitions to the Service Department. 

Project Delivery
Success Outcome: Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company quality, schedule, and operational standards.
Accountabilities:

• Provide executive oversight and support across all critical project success factors, including:
  • Preconstruction and estimating
  • Contract administration
  • Safety performance
  • Scheduling and resource planning
  • Quality assurance and quality control
  • Financial management
  • Project closeout
  • Stakeholder relationships
• Lead alignment discussions between project management, field operations, and executive leadership regarding project strategy and execution.
• Conduct regular project site visits and maintain awareness of project conditions, progress, and team dynamics.
• Review project documentation, including field directives, internal project reviews (IPR’s), meeting notes, and key project communications.
• Identify and support the selection of qualified subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants.
• Promote continuous improvement through consistent use of company systems, SOPs, and best practices.

• Champion quality assurance processes focused on minimizing defects, rework, warranty claims, and client concerns.
• Support proactive problem-solving and early issue identification to protect project outcomes.
• Hold project teams accountable for delivering work consistent with company standards and client expectations.
• Lead by example by demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Ensure project teams prioritize safe work practices and compliance with company safety standards.

TRAVEL: Frequent local and national travel is required. 50-75% of time, depending on project locations.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
To be successful as a Dowbuilt Project Principal, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, Building Science, or a related field; equivalent industry experience may be considered
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible construction management experience, preferably in high-end residential construction
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects from preconstruction through closeout
• Strong understanding of architectural, engineering, and design processes
• Working knowledge of permitting, inspections, and jurisdictional approval processes
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Familiarity with accounting and ERP systems
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with project management and collaboration platforms such as Smartsheet, Egnyte, Slack, and Procore preferred
• Familiarity with Bluebeam and/or Adobe Acrobat preferred
• Strategic thinking and sound business judgment
• Financial acumen and risk management capability
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to influence and lead diverse teams across multiple projects and locations
• Commitment to accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Demonstrated ability to foster trust, collaboration, and positive team culture
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices

ESENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ability to work minimum Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, not including commute time
• Must have reliable transportation to get to/from work safely and on time
• Must comply with Dowbuilt’s drug and alcohol policy
• Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen
• Demonstrates discretion and treats all proprietary company information as strictly confidential outside, and in some cases within, the company
• Maintain the credibility of Dowbuilt by operating with integrity and accountability
• Lead in ways that improve and promote quality throughout the company
• U.S. work authorization

WHAT WE OFFER

We are a fun, easygoing bunch of professionals who take a lot of pride in the work we do. We acknowledge the contributions and talents of our team members by providing benefits that support you at work and in life:

• Competitive pay commensurate with skills and experience
• 100% paid Medical, Dental, Vision, short-term disability and $50k in basic life insurance for full-time employees – 1^st of the month following DOH
• 35% Medical and 30% Dental + Vision coverage for eligible dependents
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with 3% employer safe harbor contribution
• 8 paid holidays each year, no waiting period
• Paid Time-Off (PTO) – 2.31 hours per week to start (120 hours annually) with an increase to this accrual each January with years of service up to max 192 hours/24 days annually
• Mentorship and career development opportunities
• Annual discretionary bonus

WHO WE ARE

Dowbuilt is a construction company founded in 1980, and today our talented teams can be found from coast to coast. We excel at cutting-edge, innovative, never-been-done-before residential projects and home service—all of which require precision and impeccable attention to detail. We work with top architects, and our builds are regularly featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, and Dwell.

The Dowbuilt culture is one of care—care for our employees, clients, and the talented craftspeople we partner with—resulting in care for the incredible designs we bring to life.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT

We’re committed to investing in our team members’ ongoing professional development, and as a leader with Dowbuilt, you play a big part in ensuring that your team has equal opportunity to play to their strengths, fill gaps in knowledge and grow professionally.

Effective career development requires two-way, open communication between employee and manager. This means expectation setting happens on both sides, along with support, mentorship, and goal setting at regular intervals. Find out how you can take your own career to the next level and inspire the next generation of talent with Dowbuilt.

Dowbuilt is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.