Project Lead

Downtown Fabworks•New Orleans, LA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Downtown FabWorks is a leader in scenic and architectural fabrication, providing high-quality custom solutions for the entertainment, events, and architectural industries. Our team specializes in bringing creative visions to life with precision craftsmanship and cutting-edge fabrication techniques. The Project Lead (PL) is responsible for the day-to-day execution of projects in the shop and in the field. This role owns execution planning, coordination, and real-time problem-solving to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and in compliance with Downtown FabWorks quality standards. The Project Lead serves as the operational bridge between Project Management, Department Leads, fabrication teams, and Design during execution, without owning contractual or commercial responsibility.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in fabrication, installation, or project execution environments, with demonstrated leadership in shop and field settings.
Reading and commenting on technical drawings and execution details
Project tracking sheets, schedules, and labor forecasting
Shop and field coordination for scenic and architectural fabrication
Asana or equivalent project management software
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
Payroll and time-tracking software

Nice To Haves

Execution-Focused Leader: Owns outcomes and drives projects forward through coordination and decisive action.
Clear Communicator: Able to align shop teams, field crews, and leadership through timely, accurate communication.
Problem Solver: Thrives in dynamic environments and resolves issues quickly with practical solutions.
Detail-Oriented: Understands how execution details impact schedule, quality, and client experience.
Accountable Operator: Takes responsibility for execution performance and escalates issues appropriately.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Project Team and VP of Operations to define daily execution scope, objectives, and deliverables.
Estimate labor requirements, schedule project tasks, and maintain timelines to ensure on-time delivery.
Maintain and update project tracking sheets, schedules, labor plans, and work orders.
Attend production meetings and contribute to execution planning.
Own project execution in the shop and in the field, including coordination, sequencing, and real-time adjustments.
Coordinate project feasibility with Technical Design and flag issues related to constructability, sequencing, or technical drawings.
Act as the primary liaison between Project Team and Department Leads to ensure smooth handoffs, workflow continuity, and quality control throughout fabrication.
Lead on-site installations and serve as the primary on-site client contact.
Coordinate install crews, over hire labor, and subcontractors to ensure efficient execution and adherence to safety and quality standards.
Provide regular progress updates to the VP of Operations, identifying risks, challenges, and proposed solutions.
Complete detailed daily reports documenting activities, labor usage, progress, and issues.
Ensure all fabricated elements meet company and client quality standards.
Coordinate technical walk-throughs prior to installation.
Oversee proper wrapping, packing, and protection of all elements.
Prepare truck packing lists and establish delivery order for multi-day installations.
Enforce compliance with the DFW Quality Standards Policy at all times.
Identify execution risks related to schedule, labor, and field conditions.
Develop and implement mitigation strategies and escalate issues as needed to maintain project health.
Enforce safety protocols, jobsite policies, and company conduct standards in both shop and field environments.