Gardner Builders
Market Focus Lead - Higher Education
Gardner Builders, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400
At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. That's why we don't just build and remodel -we build relationships, rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.
Who You Are
You're a strategic thinker, trusted advisor, and industry connector. You're deeply embedded in the higher education construction space and understand how to deliver exceptional results while nurturing long-term client relationships. Your leadership style is grounded in expertise, collaboration, and accountability, and you thrive in complex, high-stakes environments.
You lead with a hospitality mindset, creating welcoming and meaningful experiences for clients, partners, and employees alike. You see every touchpoint as an opportunity to build trust, offer clarity, and show empathy. You're energized by growing markets, mentoring teams, and making bold, informed decisions that drive business forward. You're not just in it for the projects, you're here to build something bigger, cultivating relationships and creating spaces that reflect excellence and human connection.
How You'll Contribute
As Higher Education Focus Lead, you will guide the strategic direction and growth of our Higher Education portfolio while overseeing multiple high-impact projects and a team that's best in class. You'll be responsible for:
Developing and executing short- and long-term strategic plans for the Higher Education market, aligned with Gardner's mission and growth objectives Leverage your relationships to drive business growth. Create new lasting relationships via Gardner's current network to help unlock new opportunities. Leading cross-functional project teams with a focus on hospitality, quality, and safety. Cultivating deep relationships with owners, design partners, trade partners, and stakeholders to generate new business opportunities Acting as a visible ambassador of Gardner's platinum standard at industry events, presentations, and client meetings Mentoring and coaching internal teams to strengthen market expertise and operational excellence Overseeing preconstruction planning, budgets, and estimating to ensure early alignment and client confidence Managing schedules, financials, and team performance throughout the project lifecycle Resolving project challenges with professionalism and care, ensuring client satisfaction and team success What Success Looks Like
You'll know you're succeeding when:
Higher Education market revenue and client base continue to grow year over year Projects are completed on time, on budget, and exceed client expectations Clients and trade partners view you as a trusted, go-to resource Internal teams feel supported, empowered, and inspired by your leadership Industry stakeholders recognize Gardner as a leader in hospitality-driven Higher Education construction Build and nurture a team within the Higher Education Market Focus such that we can count on solid performance and project outcomes. What You'll Bring
8-10+ years of experience as a Project Executive or Project Manager leading higher education construction projects in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market Bachelor's degree in construction management or engineering (or related field), or equivalent experience. Bachelor's degree in construction management preferred Track record of strategic growth planning and client relationship development Strong knowledge of higher education sector trends and key industry players Ability to lead with humility, confidence, and collaboration under pressure A collaborative, humble, and solutions-oriented mindset Expertise in budgeting, estimating, scheduling, and construction documentation Motivated and self-directed mindset with the ability to anticipate needs, proactively find solutions, and adapt to changing priorities Proficiency in project scheduling applications, construction management software (Procore preferred), Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and Apple device Ability to maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record Ability to travel 10% of the time to other Gardner locations, client outings, conferences, etc. Why Join Gardner Builders?
We are proud to be recognized as:
7-Time "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 6-Time "Top 150 Workplaces" by Minneapolis Star Tribune #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023) 4-Time "Best Workplace" by Inc Magazine "Best Places to Work" by Milwaukee Business Journal Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged and loves coming to work.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary: $150,000 - $250,00 annual salary (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus. The base salary range may vary depending on the applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, and the depth of existing relationships. Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401k plan with employer contribution Ancillary Benefits: Company paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company paid long term disability, company paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance Perks: Monthly auto allowance, paid parking or public transportation costs, company-provided phone and laptop. Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, free onsite fitness facility, and regular company and team outings. Interview Process
Our process typically includes three conversations (phone and in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.
Pre-Employment Screening
Drug screen and background check required.
Other Items to Note
We are only considering local candidates at this time. Relocation assistance is not available. Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement. Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This role is primarily office-based but may occasionally require visits to active construction sites. Candidates should be comfortable sitting for extended periods during computer work, meetings, and travel by car or plane. The ability to lift up to 20 pounds is needed to move materials or equipment as required. Regular use of hands for typing, writing, and using a mouse is expected, along with clear communication skills and the ability to read color-coded charts and graphs. When visiting jobsites, team members may encounter dust, uneven terrain, changing weather conditions, and temperature extremes. Reasonable accommodations can be made to support individuals with disabilities.
Who You Are
You're a strategic thinker, trusted advisor, and industry connector. You're deeply embedded in the higher education construction space and understand how to deliver exceptional results while nurturing long-term client relationships. Your leadership style is grounded in expertise, collaboration, and accountability, and you thrive in complex, high-stakes environments.
You lead with a hospitality mindset, creating welcoming and meaningful experiences for clients, partners, and employees alike. You see every touchpoint as an opportunity to build trust, offer clarity, and show empathy. You're energized by growing markets, mentoring teams, and making bold, informed decisions that drive business forward. You're not just in it for the projects, you're here to build something bigger, cultivating relationships and creating spaces that reflect excellence and human connection.
How You'll Contribute
As Higher Education Focus Lead, you will guide the strategic direction and growth of our Higher Education portfolio while overseeing multiple high-impact projects and a team that's best in class. You'll be responsible for:
Developing and executing short- and long-term strategic plans for the Higher Education market, aligned with Gardner's mission and growth objectives Leverage your relationships to drive business growth. Create new lasting relationships via Gardner's current network to help unlock new opportunities. Leading cross-functional project teams with a focus on hospitality, quality, and safety. Cultivating deep relationships with owners, design partners, trade partners, and stakeholders to generate new business opportunities Acting as a visible ambassador of Gardner's platinum standard at industry events, presentations, and client meetings Mentoring and coaching internal teams to strengthen market expertise and operational excellence Overseeing preconstruction planning, budgets, and estimating to ensure early alignment and client confidence Managing schedules, financials, and team performance throughout the project lifecycle Resolving project challenges with professionalism and care, ensuring client satisfaction and team success What Success Looks Like
You'll know you're succeeding when:
Higher Education market revenue and client base continue to grow year over year Projects are completed on time, on budget, and exceed client expectations Clients and trade partners view you as a trusted, go-to resource Internal teams feel supported, empowered, and inspired by your leadership Industry stakeholders recognize Gardner as a leader in hospitality-driven Higher Education construction Build and nurture a team within the Higher Education Market Focus such that we can count on solid performance and project outcomes. What You'll Bring
8-10+ years of experience as a Project Executive or Project Manager leading higher education construction projects in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market Bachelor's degree in construction management or engineering (or related field), or equivalent experience. Bachelor's degree in construction management preferred Track record of strategic growth planning and client relationship development Strong knowledge of higher education sector trends and key industry players Ability to lead with humility, confidence, and collaboration under pressure A collaborative, humble, and solutions-oriented mindset Expertise in budgeting, estimating, scheduling, and construction documentation Motivated and self-directed mindset with the ability to anticipate needs, proactively find solutions, and adapt to changing priorities Proficiency in project scheduling applications, construction management software (Procore preferred), Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and Apple device Ability to maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record Ability to travel 10% of the time to other Gardner locations, client outings, conferences, etc. Why Join Gardner Builders?
We are proud to be recognized as:
7-Time "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 6-Time "Top 150 Workplaces" by Minneapolis Star Tribune #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023) 4-Time "Best Workplace" by Inc Magazine "Best Places to Work" by Milwaukee Business Journal Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged and loves coming to work.
Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary: $150,000 - $250,00 annual salary (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus. The base salary range may vary depending on the applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, and the depth of existing relationships. Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401k plan with employer contribution Ancillary Benefits: Company paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company paid long term disability, company paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance Perks: Monthly auto allowance, paid parking or public transportation costs, company-provided phone and laptop. Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, free onsite fitness facility, and regular company and team outings. Interview Process
Our process typically includes three conversations (phone and in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.
Pre-Employment Screening
Drug screen and background check required.
Other Items to Note
We are only considering local candidates at this time. Relocation assistance is not available. Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement. Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This role is primarily office-based but may occasionally require visits to active construction sites. Candidates should be comfortable sitting for extended periods during computer work, meetings, and travel by car or plane. The ability to lift up to 20 pounds is needed to move materials or equipment as required. Regular use of hands for typing, writing, and using a mouse is expected, along with clear communication skills and the ability to read color-coded charts and graphs. When visiting jobsites, team members may encounter dust, uneven terrain, changing weather conditions, and temperature extremes. Reasonable accommodations can be made to support individuals with disabilities.