Tenant Construction Manager II

WS Development•Newton, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At WS, we’re passionate about building and operating places where people want to be. Our Tenant Construction Managers are the connective tissue between our tenants and the complex world of design, construction, and lease execution, and the primary reason our tenants feel supported every step of the way. We’re looking for someone who leads with relationships first. You’re as comfortable sitting across from a tenant explaining the construction process in plain language as you are reviewing a set of construction drawings. You don’t just manage — you guide, advocate, coordinate, and clear the path forward. You are the tenant’s most trusted partner through one of the most demanding processes they’ll go through, and you’re the face of WS’s commitment to service at every touchpoint. Construction knowledge matters here, but it’s a tool in service of the relationship, not the other way around. WS is committed to staying ahead of how the industry works, and that includes how we work internally. In this role, you’ll be expected to bring an active, curious approach to AI tools — not just as a productivity shortcut, but as a genuine way to serve tenants better and manage projects more effectively. The right person for this role is first and foremost a great communicator and relationship manager. Construction experience gives you the credibility and context you need, but what sets our best TCMs apart is the ability to manage people, timelines, and expectations well, especially when things get complicated.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in tenant construction, project management, owner’s representative, or construction coordination roles, ideally with landlord, developer, or OPM experience
A track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects while keeping everyone informed and aligned
Strong written and verbal communication skills; you write clearly, run productive meetings, and know how to deliver hard news without damaging the relationship
Highly organized with a disciplined approach to milestone tracking and follow-through
Solid understanding of lease agreements, construction documents, work letters, and city/state permitting processes
A genuine service mindset; you take pride in making a complicated process feel manageable for the people you’re supporting
Comfortable with ambiguity, competing priorities, and high-stakes tenant relationships
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project
Ability and willingness to travel regionally and nationally
Demonstrated comfort with AI tools and a proactive approach to learning and applying new technology in your day-to-day work

Nice To Haves

experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM/project tracking tool is a plus
familiarity with AutoCAD and cost estimating is helpful
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience welcomed

Responsibilities

Serve as the tenant’s primary point of contact from the earliest stages of their interest in a space, often before the lease is signed, all the way through store opening
Set clear expectations early, communicate proactively, and anticipate needs before tenants have to ask
Translate complicated construction, lease, and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for tenants and their teams
Create a consistently high-touch experience that reflects what WS stands for
Own the critical path for each tenant project, tracking milestones, surfacing risks early, and keeping all parties aligned and moving
Be the person who follows up, connects the dots, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks
Coordinate across internal teams (leasing, legal, property management, design) and external parties (tenant architects, contractors, city agencies) to keep things moving
Manage multiple projects at once without losing track of the details that matter
Draft and negotiate construction work letters (Exhibit B), clearly defining landlord and tenant responsibilities
Develop and manage project budgets, tracking costs and keeping stakeholders informed throughout
Oversee landlord deliverables so tenant projects don’t get held up on our end
Review and approve tenant construction plans for compliance with lease terms, WS design standards, and local regulations
Track and communicate all critical lease milestones to make sure obligations are met and risks are caught early
Visit sites regularly to monitor progress, stay close to the work, and keep relationships strong on the ground
Maintain accurate, up-to-date project records in Salesforce so leadership and cross-functional teams always have visibility into deal status and progress
Work closely with the leasing team as a strategy partner, offering construction and deal-structuring insight early in the process to set tenants up for success before the lease is even signed
Build strong working relationships across leasing, legal, property management, design, and finance so you can move quickly and get things done without a lot of friction
Bring the right people into the room at the right time, and make sure nothing gets lost between teams
Spot construction and coordination risks before they become real problems, and work with tenants and contractors to get ahead of them
Handle difficult conversations with professionalism and a genuine focus on finding solutions
Keep leadership and cross-functional teams informed with clear, regular updates
Help junior team members grow in both project execution and how they manage tenant relationships
Use AI tools to draft and refine tenant communications, work letters, project summaries, and status updates — freeing up more time for the high-touch relationship work that matters most
Leverage AI to track project milestones, surface risks, and synthesize information across multiple simultaneous deals so nothing slips
Apply AI-assisted research and document review to accelerate plan review, lease compliance checks, and permitting research
Bring an AI-forward mindset to problem-solving: know when a tool can help you move faster and when human judgment and relationship IQ need to lead
Stay current on emerging AI tools relevant to construction management, project coordination, and real estate operations — and share what you’re learning with the team