Project Executive Jobs in Illinois
Project Executive jobs in Illinois are active across construction, infrastructure, and commercial real estate development, with demand at every level from emerging project managers stepping into executive roles through seasoned senior leaders overseeing multi-site programs. Chicago anchors the majority of hiring, followed by Naperville and Schaumburg, where firms like Clayco, Pepper Construction, and Turner Construction maintain a lasting presence. The most consistent openings are in large-scale commercial construction, healthcare facility builds, and public infrastructure projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Us:
BW Design Group is a fully integrated architecture, engineering, construction, system integration, and consulting firm committed to helping our clients realize their most critical goals from Strategy to Commercialization. As the only firm born from a manufacturing technology company to become an independent and fully integrated firm, we combine deep domain expertise in the manufacturing environment with an approach that is built to serve the dynamic needs of our clients. Rooted in our distinct culture of Truly Human Leadership, we cultivate the leaders who will define tomorrow and partner with our clients in the food & beverage, life sciences, industrial, and advanced technology industries to build the future of manufacturing and technology.Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.
Job Description:
Who You’ll Work With
You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.
When you join Design Group as a Project Executive, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will join our Architecture + Engineering + Construction (AEC) Business and partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.
What You’ll Do
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
AEC Business Leadership
Seniormost delivery leader accountable to deliver major projects or programs leading teams in BW Design Group’s role as Multidisciplinary Architect-Engineer (MAE), or Integrated Design-Builder (IDB), or Engineer-Procurement Manager-Construction Manager (EPC).
Understands and aligns with the BW Design Group firmwide strategic plan. Communicates those strategic plans to teams in span of care, identifies, and relates the roles of those teams in contributing to realize the strategic plans.
Understands and aligns with BW Design Group commercial goals and objectives – and then positions, proposes, and delivers projects and programs to realize – BW Design Group commercial, delivery, and risk KPIs for projects.
Grows the capability and capacity of our professionals by shaping, engaging, and leading teams through challenging and rewarding projects and programs.
Inspire client loyalty by positioning, organizing, communicating, celebrating a rewarding client experience from relationship formation through project closeout.
Client Engagement + Opportunity Development
Strong understanding of design-build, engineer-procure-construct, and design-bid-build project delivery models. Recognized as a primary resource and champion for BW Design Group’s particular approaches to Integrated Design-Build, EPC, and Multidisciplinary Architecture-Engineering as variants of the basic delivery models.
Responsible for representing BW Design Group’s approach to project delivery in capabilities, pursuit, and pitch presentations.
Fluent in BW Design Group’s portfolio of work, differentiation as a partner, and approach to relationship and opportunity development.
Form and cultivate client relationships using BW Design Group’s Relationship-Based Growth model to drive multi-year account engagement and growth plans. For specific opportunities, focus on intaking, understanding, and shaping project delivery strategy best suited to realize the client’s capital strategy. Advocate for BW Design Group’s value proposition and differentiation vs. competitors.
Leads/Partners with Pursuit Team leaders to develop:
Capture plan and positioning;
Project Delivery approach;
Project Team organization, roles, members, and assignments;
Consulting, trade, and OEM partnering approach and roles;
Project Scope, Price, Schedule, and Contract terms;
Project Execution Plan (PxP).
Recruit, qualify, and organize internal team, leaders, and external trade, OEM, and subconsultant partners (as any and all are applicable) in the Project/Program Team organization. Set expectations for shared objectives and alignment to ways of working and conditions of success.
Project Delivery
Accountable to organize and lead the Project/Program Team, establish the Contract Documents, implement the PxP for engaged Projects, forecast outcome, and drive team to achieve the Conditions of Success:
Establish and verify the applicable Contract Documents (Prime, trade, consulting, and OEM) for the Work;
Establish Conditions for Success that reflect Client and BWDG’s priorities for successful realization of the Project/Program – recognizing that many Conditions are shared and managed with the Client – and others (i.e. BWDG financial performance) are internal;
Lead team to effectively address Community and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) relationship considerations;
Oversee development of design assist, design for integration, design for fabrication, and delegated design practices and approaches for BW Design Group, as applicable to its role on the Project;
Oversee development of fast-track, early work, long lead buyout, and target value delivery practices;
Require that prevailing project management, project controls, quality, safety, risk, procurement, and financial programs and practices are observed and applied;
Require regular Project Status Reviews occur to check and verify Project Team progress vs. PxP; address opportunities and challenges, and mitigate risks.
Industry Presence + Network
Grows BW Design Group’s presence and network connections within Client and Market communities by forming, cultivating and growing relationships with key trade, OEM, and subconsultant partners.
Leverages those relationships to enable development of Client relationships; obtain early involvement, pricing, scheduling, and procurement support; capture competitive intelligence; and source and recruit talent.
Grow a network of strategic, repeat, and geographically distributed partners that amplify our organic brand reach, market influence, and knowledge of the competitive landscape.
Measures of Success
Total Margin Engaged and Realized.
Achieving Project-/Program-specific Conditions of Success.
What You’ll Bring
15+ years of progressive direct leadership in major design and/or construction projects or programs from a project delivery leadership perspective with construction, engineering, and/or architecture firm(s).
Focused Market sector or segment experience in CPG, Food, Beverage, Household & Personal Care, Life Sciences, Semiconductor, Advanced Manufacturing, Data Center, or Mission Critical markets.
Strong understanding of risk allocation, contract terms, and insurance risk transfer programs applicable to projects and the applicable variations for MAE, or IDB, or EPC, and various DBB models.
Strong command of commercial considerations, pricing approaches, positioning and marketing, teaming, project organization, and project staffing.
Commands understanding of industry terminology and BW Design Group vernacular as applicable to the businesses and practices of design and construction.
Fluency in digital delivery software applications from preconstruction to BIM/VDC, project/financial management, estimating, scheduling. Demonstrated ability to leverage tools to evaluate and communicate approach, progress, and risks to realizing the conditions of success for projects.
Collaborative leadership across engineering, architecture, and construction — among internal teams and external trade, OEM, and subconsultant partners.
A track record of developing people — growing teams through organizational change, building bench strength across project roles, and creating challenging project environments where good professionals thrive and stay with BW Design Group.
Capable to serve as director, officer, and/or member/manager of BW Design Group’s business entities and/or managing agent, resident principal, or branch principal (or the like, however such obligations are defined in each applicable jurisdiction) for professional licensing.
May acquire or maintain professional engineer (P.E.), registered architect (R.A.), or construction qualifier licensure and serve as an engineering or architecture Principal-in-Charge or construction qualifier for select states, offices, and/or projects.
Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management is preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Frequent travel wherever and whenever necessary for client meetings, projects, and industry events.
Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Project Executive, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class engineer and a highly effective leader.
Feel like you're on the path to becoming a Project Executive but you're not quite there yet? We'd love to connect with you to see if we can take you from where you are today and grow you into a Design Group Consultant.
#LI-BH1
At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.
Company:
Design GroupSee All 15 Project Executive Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Executive JobsProject Executive Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Executive Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Staffing & Recruiting
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project executive jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field required
- Ten or more years of progressive project management experience in commercial or infrastructure construction
- Demonstrated experience managing project budgets exceeding several million dollars
- Proficiency with construction management platforms such as Procore, Primavera P6, or similar tools
- Strong knowledge of Illinois building codes, local permitting processes, and union labor agreements
- PMP or CCM certification preferred by a significant share of Illinois employers
Project Executive Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project executive in Illinois?
Most project executives in Illinois reach the role through a combination of a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture and a decade or more of field and office project management experience. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to project executives, but many employers expect a Project Management Professional credential or a Certified Construction Manager designation. Large Illinois contractors and developers typically promote from senior project manager roles after candidates demonstrate profit-and-loss accountability.
Which companies hire project executives in Illinois?
Employers hiring project executives in Illinois right now include Path Construction, Volarify, and Mortenson Construction, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of major general contractors, healthcare systems undertaking capital projects, and public agencies overseeing transit and infrastructure work means openings appear across both private and public-sector organizations.
Which Illinois cities have the most project executive jobs?
Chicago, Itasca, and Arlington Heights lead Illinois for project executive openings. Chicago generates the largest share by far, driven by its dense concentration of general contractors, developers, and corporate headquarters overseeing major commercial and infrastructure builds. Naperville and Schaumburg contribute a meaningful number of openings through the regional offices and suburban campuses of large construction and engineering firms headquartered along the I-88 corridor.
Are there remote project executive jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Project executives in construction and infrastructure typically need to be on-site or in close contact with project teams, making fully remote arrangements uncommon. About 20% of project executive openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those arrangements tend to apply to preconstruction, business development, or program oversight functions rather than day-to-day field leadership.
How can I get hired as a project executive in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a project engineer or assistant project manager role at a large Illinois general contractor such as Pepper Construction, Gilbane Building Company, or Power Construction, all of which run structured development programs for candidates with a construction management or engineering degree and limited field experience. From there, consistent performance on mid-size projects, mentorship within the firm, and earning a PMP credential create the clearest route toward a project executive title over time.
Where can I find and apply to project executive jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to project executive jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across construction, infrastructure, and commercial development. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 15 Project Executive Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Executive Jobs