Project Manager at Cref in Lafayette, TN

Project Manager

Location: Lafayette, Tennessee

About Cref

Cref is dedicated to providing strategic real estate solutions, focused on helping organizations maximize their physical infrastructure. By enhancing resiliency, improving user experiences, reducing costs, and unlocking capital, Cref plays a critical role in ensuring facilities are not just spaces but strategic assets that drive organizational success.

Redefining real estate management through innovation and strategic partnership, we specialize in offering long-term, integrated solutions tailored to address industry specific complexities. By partnering with leading operators, we focus on resolving our clients’ challenges and ensuring a streamlined approach to real estate. This approach not only fosters growth and innovation but instills a sense of purpose and achievement across all of our clients’ business objectives.

About Planning, Design & Construction

The Planning, Design & Construction team partners as a strategic owner’s representative across all operational and capital initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, managing risks and timelines, and maximizing overall value delivery.

This division creates clearly defined workplans and builds teams with detailed performance metrics to execute projects with precision. These plans translate our client’s business goals into well executed projects that exceed all levels of operational, regulatory, and financial standards.

Project Manager

The Project Manager will be based in the Nashville, Tennessee area and serve as Cref's local Planning, Design & Construction presence in the market. The initial focus will be leading an MOB and hospital expansion project, with responsibility for day-to-day oversight and successful delivery across planning, design, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness. This role is ideal for a self-starter who can work independently, build strong local relationships, and help Cref expand its long-term presence in the Nashville market.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as Cref's primary local project management presence for the Nashville market, providing consistent, hands-on oversight and coordination.
• Manage multiple new construction and renovation healthcare projects from initiation through closeout and operational readiness / Transition to Operations.
• Work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain a high level of accountability for project performance and client service.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, hospital stakeholders, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, commissioning agents, vendors, and suppliers.
• Understand and administer contracts across all project parties; facilitate clear communication, resolve conflicts, and proactively address risks and issues.
• Develop, analyze, and manage total project budgets and schedules, including design, permitting, regulatory approvals, construction, equipment, furniture, commissioning, and move-in activities.
• Follow Cref's project management processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency or accelerate delivery without compromising quality, compliance, or project goals.
• Manage planning, design, and construction activities for new and existing healthcare facilities, from concept development through occupancy.
• Oversee project definition, consultant and contractor team assembly, design resolution, documentation, cost management, value engineering, scheduling, quality, change orders, commissioning, and move-in coordination.

• Provide support and guidance to project team members, when applicable, and foster a collaborative, service-focused working environment.

• Develop Cref's network in the Nashville market by strengthening local industry relationships, identifying potential opportunities, and partnering with Cref leadership to support future growth.

Deliverables

• Develop and review feasibility study proposals and reports before final approval by the Client Executive.
• Create workplans to support development of project allocation needs for inclusion into project proposals.
• Create project proposals for new project opportunities; review proposals with Client Executive prior to distribution to client team members.
• Maintain accurate and timely project data, including total project costs, schedules, cash flows, milestones, risks, and other key performance information.
• Cultivate client relationships by becoming a trusted, reliable extension of the client's team and identifying opportunities to provide additional value.
• Prepare clear, timely internal and external monthly reports.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Healthcare project management and/or construction experience required.
• Five or more years of experience in healthcare planning, architecture, construction, hospital capital project management, or a related technical field.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience managing all phases of a project, from conceptual planning through closeout and occupancy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple capital projects of varying size and complexity in a large organizational setting.
• Proven ability to work independently in a local market while collaborating effectively with a broader, geographically distributed team.
• Demonstrated success building client and industry relationships; interest in helping establish and grow Cref's Nashville presence.
• Familiarity with FGI Guidelines, The Joint Commission standards, state health department licensing requirements, OSHA, NFPA, ADA, and applicable state and national building codes.
• Demonstrated ability to apply best practices, improve processes, and maintain a responsive service orientation.
• Strong technical knowledge of building systems, constructability, and infrastructure.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership with a focus on quality, efficiency, accountability, and client service.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Client Executive

Work Location

Nashville, Tennessee area. This position requires a full-time local presence and regular work at client and project sites. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Nashville area.

Travel

Regular local and regional travel within the greater Nashville area is required. Occasional travel outside the Nashville market may also be necessary based on business and project needs.

Why Cref?

Cref is committed to finding the best talent to support our growth. Our success is rooted in our commitment to remain the leader in providing strategic real estate solutions through our dedication to continuous improvement, engaging our people, and delivering on our promise to help organizations more efficiently and productively manage their real estate assets.

At Cref, we want our employees to have a peace of mind when caring for themselves and their families. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits package, and the opportunity to work on a growing and innovative team.

Cref is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation due to a disability in order to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources at 508-562-4181 or submit a request in writing to jchace@cref.com. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, parental and marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.