Project Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Project Lead jobs in North Carolina are concentrated in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham, where employers like Bank of America, Lenovo, and Duke Health run large project-driven operations across financial services, technology, and healthcare delivery. Demand is strongest for project leads with experience in IT implementation, construction and infrastructure, and clinical operations management, reflecting the state's growth in banking technology and life sciences. North Carolina ranks among the more active markets in the Southeast for this role, with openings at both the senior individual-contributor and program-management levels. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.
PROJECT MANAGER
The primary role of the Project Manager (PM) is managing all project aspects, including the responsibilities and tasks outlined below. In addition to managing projects, a PM is responsible for:
- Overall project successSuccessful management of project financials, including fee retentionClient satisfaction
- Management of major portions of a large project or overall responsibility for smaller projects
- Mentoring and coaching Asst. PMs and PEs
- Continuing to develop skills to successfully manage projects
- Understanding scope changes and performing quantity take-offs, pricing, and tracking all project revisions
Fostering and building relationships with owners, design partners, subcontractors and suppliers
Qualifications:
Required:
- Four-year degree in Construction Management or related degree
- 5+ years of related experience, including experience with self-perform capabilities
- Demonstrated experience building strong partnerships and trust with external partners, including owners, owner’s representatives, design firms, and subcontractors
Preferred:
- Estimating and field experience
- Scheduling experience
Skills:
- Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
- Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities
- Strong problem-solving skills, basic accounting principles knowledge, documentation skills, research and resolution skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications, especially with Excel
- Ability to function as an integral team member, working under time constraints and meeting deadlines in a changing environment
- Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision
- Embodies personal integrity and keeps confidences View every interaction as an opportunity to add value and enhance relationships
Office and Travel:
Works in corporate office with periodic regional travel.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
Pursuit, Preconstruction and Business Development
- Assist pursuit team in understanding prospective projects and requirements
- Research prospective clients
- Assist pursuit team in completing responses to RFQs and RFPs
- Participate in pursuit interviews
- Assist with and participate in preconstruction meetings
- Provide management and leadership to ensure successful completion of our QA/QC page turn process
- Understand project-specific workforce and vendor participation goals and incorporate into project work plan
McGough Self-Performed Work
- Understand and perform quantity take-offs and assist in estimating labor production, materials and equipment
- Understand warehouse equipment, rentals, small tools, services and costs
- Gather information, implement or assist in PACE preparation and projections
- Scope bid materials (concrete, rebar, brick, etc.)
- Assist with creating Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules for our work
Estimating & Bidding
- Perform quantity take-offs and assist in estimating
- Take the lead on updating estimates through SDs, DDs and CDs
- Develop bidders list and verify subcontractor qualifications (i.e., Textura, etc.)
- Subcontractor procurement (prepare contracting plan, bid solicitations, bid analysis and tabulations)
- Comprehensive understanding of what is included in subcontractor package scope
- Page turn review with subcontractors and field staff prior to subcontract award
- Review bid results with owner and architect and prepare/execute Owner Notification Letter (when applicable)
- Prepare, approve, and signoff on subcontracts for Project Executive review and execution
- Participate in preparation of preconstruction estimate and cost model
- Create and maintain control estimate
Scheduling
- Assist field staff with creating CPM scheduling
- Work closely with field staff to update and distribute schedule as needed
- Co-lead Last Planner efforts in conjunction with field staff
Project Documentation
- Review and understand all drawings and specifications
- Lead the project document page turn reviews
- Manage the Request for Information (RFI) process and work with the design team to get timely responses
- Manage the shop drawings/submittals review process and work with the design team to get timely turnaround
- Participate in BIM coordination meetings
- Manage project sustainability requirements and documentation
- Understand the requirements of our owner’s contracts, as well as subcontracts
Subcontract Management
- Maintain a thorough understanding of what is included in the subcontractor’s scope
- Review and process subcontractor change requests; negotiate pricing
- Review and approve subcontractor invoices
- Track project workforce goals/vendor goals
- Assist superintendent with manpower and personnel requests
- Schedule and document pre-installation meetings
Cost Control
- Manage distribution and pricing of project changes
- Assist superintendent in tracking labor costs
- Assist superintendent with material procurement and cost coding
- Collect and report the required information to support the Cost History Department
- Prepare and maintain the project PACE documents
- Work with the project accounting team to produce monthly pay applications
- Prepare, track and review the project cost control log with the construction team
- Manage project cost review and approval processes with the design team and owner
- Prepare Schedule of Values, Sworn Construction Statement, Invoice and other billing documents as required by our owner contract
Project Meetings
- Attend all project and company safety meetings
- Attend and participate in weekly work plan meetings
- Conduct and provide timely documentation for construction coordination meetings
- Participate in start-up meetings and preparing documentation in conjunction with field staff
- Provide monthly PACE reports to management and lead PACE meetings
- Attend pre-installation meetings and mock-up reviews
Post-Construction
- Perform pre-punch with an aim at providing a “zero item” punchlist
- Oversee the punchlist process
- Support the close-out team in gathering final as-built plans and documentation
- Review project close-out documentation for accuracy and completeness
- Participate in and/or manage test and balance and commissioning processes, as required
- Manage overall plan for owner training in conjunction with field staff
Other Duties
- Actively contribute as a member of the Regional Project Management team, collaborating to support shared goals and objectives
- Engage in business development by building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, design teams, consultants, and subcontractors, and participating in industry and McGough-sponsored events
- Represent McGough professionally at all events, upholding company standards and serving as a positive ambassador
- Attend company and project meetings, pursuing ongoing personal and professional development to enhance skills and performance
- Collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders to ensure cohesive project execution
- Actively support and participate in Lean events, promoting the McGough Way and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Perform function of Project Engineer as necessary and additional duties as assigned to support team and project success Other duties as assigned
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands outlined here are representative of those required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a workstation or during meetings and travel (by plane or car). The employee must be able to lift up to 20 pounds as needed, demonstrate dexterity to write and use a computer keyboard and mouse, and possess the ability to hear, speak clearly, and distinguish colors on graphs and charts.
The role also requires occasional visits to construction sites, where the employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions, and extreme temperatures.
See All 168+ Project Lead Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Project Lead JobsProject Lead Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Lead Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- ECS Limited18

- Cook Out Restaurants6

- Hitachi Rail5

- Thermo Fisher Scientific5

- IQVIA3

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project lead jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, technology, or a related field required
- Three or more years of project management experience in a relevant North Carolina industry
- PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification strongly preferred by employers
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage project budgets end-to-end
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder reporting and executive updates
Project Lead Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project lead in North Carolina?
Most project lead roles in North Carolina require a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, information technology, or a related field, combined with hands-on experience managing projects. North Carolina does not issue a state license specific to project leads, but employers across industries consistently favor candidates who hold a Project Management Professional credential from the Project Management Institute. Entry-level candidates often start in coordinator or analyst roles and move into a lead position after demonstrating delivery results.
Which companies hire project leads in North Carolina?
Companies currently hiring project leads in North Carolina include ECS Limited, Cook Out Restaurants, and Hitachi Rail, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. North Carolina's concentration of large financial institutions in Charlotte and research-driven employers in the Raleigh-Durham area means consistent demand for project leads who can manage technology deployments and clinical or operational improvement initiatives.
Which North Carolina cities have the most project lead jobs?
Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro have the most project lead openings in North Carolina. Charlotte leads because of its density of financial services and banking technology operations, while Raleigh and Durham benefit from the Research Triangle's concentration of technology companies, life sciences employers, and major university health systems that run large capital and IT project portfolios throughout the year.
Are there remote project lead jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many hands-on roles, since coordination, planning, and stakeholder communication are well-suited to remote settings. About 47% of project lead openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly employers have extended flexibility to this function. Project leads overseeing software delivery or administrative process improvement tend to have the most remote options, while those managing construction, facilities, or clinical operations are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a project lead in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to move into a project coordinator or project analyst role first, building delivery experience before stepping into a lead title. Large North Carolina employers such as Bank of America, Carolinas HealthCare, and research-focused organizations in the Research Triangle often post associate program manager or rotational analyst openings that explicitly accept recent graduates. Earning a Certified Associate in Project Management credential and contributing to a real or volunteer project portfolio gives candidates without formal experience a concrete advantage when competing for their first lead role.
Where can I find and apply to project lead jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to project lead jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search by city, specialty, or job type to see roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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