Construction Project Lead Jobs in Iowa

Construction Project Lead jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, concentrated in commercial construction, infrastructure development, and industrial builds across a state that continues to invest in highway expansion, agricultural facilities, and urban redevelopment. The highest volume of openings sits in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where firms like Knutson Construction, Ryan Companies, and R&R Realty Group maintain lasting project pipelines. The most sought-after specialties are ground-up commercial builds, civil infrastructure, and design-build delivery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles43
Top employerRussell Construction
Top cityDes Moines, IA
Cities hiring16
Work type83% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 43+ Construction Project Lead jobs

Project Superintendent / Construction Manager
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Added 4d ago
Project Superintendent / Construction Manager
Eagle Homes
Altoona, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
$65k - $95k/yr
On-Site

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Project Manager - Industrial Construction
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Added 1w ago
Project Manager - Industrial Construction
KSI
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$90k - $125k/yr
Experience equivalent to degree accepted

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Project Manager - General Construction
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Added 1w ago
Project Manager - General Construction
First Onsite
Des Moines, Iowa
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$75k - $85k/yr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Construction Project Accountant: Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest
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Added 1w ago
Construction Project Accountant: Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest
Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest
Des Moines, Iowa
Accounting
Bookkeeping & AP/AR
Associate's degree in accounting
1,001-5,000

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Construction Project Manager - Bush Construction (Davenport, IA)
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Added 1w ago
Construction Project Manager - Bush Construction (Davenport, IA)
McCarthy Bush Corporation
Davenport, Iowa
Construction Management
Manufacturing Operations
Project Management

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See All 43 Construction Project Lead Jobs in Iowa

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Construction Project Lead Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Des Moines
10 jobs
Cedar Rapids
9 jobs
Davenport
6 jobs
Marion
4 jobs
Hudson
2 jobs
West Des Moines
2 jobs
Ames
1 job
Ankeny
1 job
Grimes
1 job

Construction Project Lead Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Russell Construction3 open roles
The Waldinger Corporation3 open roles
QTS2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in construction project lead jobs across Iowa.

  • Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a closely related field required
  • Five or more years of field experience managing commercial or infrastructure construction projects
  • Demonstrated ability to manage subcontractors, schedules, and project budgets simultaneously
  • Proficiency with construction management software such as Procore, Bluebeam, or Primavera P6
  • OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification or willingness to obtain before project assignment
  • Strong working knowledge of Iowa building codes, permitting processes, and local inspections

Construction Project Lead Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a construction project lead in Iowa?

Most construction project lead roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture, combined with progressive field experience. Iowa does not require a state-issued contractor's license for project lead positions, but the hiring path typically runs through an estimator, assistant superintendent, or field engineer role at an Iowa general contractor. Earning a Project Management Professional credential or a Certified Construction Manager designation strengthens your candidacy considerably with mid-to-large Iowa firms.

Which companies hire construction project leads in Iowa?

Employers hiring construction project leads in Iowa right now include Russell Construction, The Waldinger Corporation, and QTS, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's general contracting sector is anchored by regional firms with deep municipal and commercial client rosters, so established contractors consistently represent the strongest source of openings in the state.

Which Iowa cities have the most construction project lead jobs?

Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport hold the most construction project lead openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads because of its concentration of commercial development, state infrastructure contracts, and regional corporate headquarters driving ongoing build-out, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport generate demand through industrial expansion, flood mitigation projects, and private commercial growth along the I-380 and I-74 corridors.

Are there remote construction project lead jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Construction project lead work is fundamentally site-dependent, requiring daily coordination with crews, subcontractors, and inspectors in the field. About 17% of construction project lead openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be pre-construction planning, estimating, or owner's representative roles rather than active field oversight positions.

How can I get hired as a construction project lead in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a project engineer, assistant superintendent, or estimating coordinator role at an Iowa general contractor, where you build site knowledge and subcontractor management skills before stepping into a lead position. Firms like Knutson Construction and Ryan Companies run structured associate programs for recent construction management graduates in Iowa. Completing an OSHA 30-Hour certification and gaining hands-on experience through Iowa State University's construction management co-op network also gives newer candidates a meaningful edge in the local hiring market.

Where can I find and apply to construction project lead jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to construction project lead jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and preferred location, and apply directly without any extra steps.

See All 43 Construction Project Lead Jobs in Iowa

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