About the Project
Pennmark is undertaking one of its most ambitious developments to date — the adaptive reuse of a historic building in Harrisburg, converting it into over 300 residential units and 15,000 SF of Retail. This is a complex, multi-phase project that combines historic preservation requirements, modern multifamily construction, and the operational coordination of a large mixed-trade workforce.
This is not a typical ground-up build. The right Superintendent will navigate historic tax credit compliance, structural rehabilitation, hazardous materials abatement, MEP upgrades to modern standards, and full residential build-out — all under one roof and one schedule.
About Pennmark
Pennmark is a full-service commercial real estate development and management company headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, PA, with approximately 4 million square feet of retail and office space across PA, NJ, and OH. We perform development, construction oversight, and property management in-house. This Superintendent role is critical to the success of our largest residential undertaking.
Position Summary
The Superintendent is the on-site leader of all construction activity for the entire duration of the project. This role owns daily operations, trade coordination, safety, quality, schedule, and compliance — including the unique requirements of building within a historic structure. The Superintendent reports directly to senior leadership and is accountable for delivering 100 units on schedule, on budget, and to code.
This is a high-accountability role. Candidates must have proven adaptive reuse, multifamily, or historic rehabilitation experience. Ground-up new construction alone is not sufficient preparation for this project.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesProject Leadership & On-Site Management
- Serve as the primary on-site authority for all construction operations, present at the jobsite full-time throughout the project
- Lead daily superintendent walkthroughs, weekly OAC meetings, and pre-construction meetings with each trade
- Coordinate the work of 15–25+ subcontractors across structural, envelope, MEP, finishes, and specialty historic preservation trades
- Resolve field conflicts in real time and escalate issues that impact schedule, budget, or scope
- Maintain daily reports, manpower logs, weather logs, RFI logs, and incident reports through Procore or equivalent CMS
Historic Preservation Compliance
- Work directly with the historic preservation architect, SHPO (PA Bureau for Historic Preservation), and NPS to ensure all work meets Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
- Protect, document, and restore character-defining historic features (masonry, windows, cornices, interior millwork, etc.) per approved drawings
- Coordinate state and federal historic tax credit compliance documentation throughout the project
- Manage trades performing specialized historic restoration work — masonry repointing, window restoration, decorative plaster repair
Schedule & Budget Management
- Develop, maintain, and update the master construction schedule using MS Project, Primavera P6, or Smartsheet
- Identify schedule risks early and execute recovery plans when needed
- Track look-ahead schedules (3-week, 6-week) and align subcontractor manpower accordingly
- Review and approve subcontractor pay applications, change order requests, and material deliveries
- Monitor labor productivity and report budget variances to the Project Executive weekly
Quality Control
- Establish quality benchmarks at the start of each trade scope and enforce through punch list discipline
- Conduct mockups for critical assemblies (window installations, wall assemblies, finishes) before full production
- Coordinate inspections with municipal authorities, third-party inspectors, and historic preservation reviewers
- Maintain a defect-free turnover standard for all 100 units
Safety & Compliance
- Own jobsite safety — daily toolbox talks, weekly safety walks, and full enforcement of OSHA standards
- Coordinate hazardous materials abatement (lead, asbestos, mold) per state and federal regulations
- Ensure compliance with PA L&I, Harrisburg Department of Building and Housing, and local fire marshal requirements
- Maintain accurate records of safety inspections, training, and incidents
Trade & Vendor Coordination
- Procure, schedule, and oversee subcontractors and vendors
- Review subcontractor scopes, submittals, shop drawings, and material samples
- Conduct quality and progress walkthroughs with each trade weekly
- Manage long-lead items (windows, elevators, mechanical equipment) and material logistics on a constrained urban site
Communication & Reporting
- Provide weekly progress reports to the Project Executive, leadership team, and ownership
- Communicate clearly with architects, engineers, and inspectors
- Run productive subcontractor coordination meetings — no meeting without a deliverable
- Be the first call for any after-hours emergency on site
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years of construction supervision experience, including at least 5 years as a lead Superintendent
- Direct experience on at least one of the following:
- Adaptive reuse / historic rehabilitation project ($10M+)
- 100+ unit multifamily residential project
- Mixed-use development with structural rehabilitation
- Proven track record completing projects on schedule and within budget — be ready to discuss specific projects, numbers, and outcomes
- Working knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and historic tax credit (HTC) compliance documentation
- Strong understanding of building codes (IBC, IEBC, IRC), accessibility requirements (ADA, Fair Housing Act), and PA-specific building regulations
- Field-level competency in all major trades: concrete, masonry, structural steel, framing, roofing, MEP, drywall, finishes
- Proficiency in Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, and Microsoft Office
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, MEP, and historic preservation drawings
- OSHA 30-Hour certification (current)
- Valid driver's license; reliable transportation; willingness to be on-site in Harrisburg full-time
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related field
- Experience with Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program and federal HTC documentation
- LEED, Passive House, or NGBS familiarity (multifamily green building)
- Experience with occupied-building rehabilitation or phased turnover
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) — a meaningful plus for subcontractor coordination
What You're Walking Into
This project will involve simultaneously:
- Stabilizing and rehabilitating a historic structure that has not been actively maintained for residential use
- Coordinating mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems for 100 dwelling units
- Managing dust, noise, vibration, and security in an urban downtown environment
- Maintaining compliance with two layers of oversight — local building department AND historic preservation review
- Delivering 100 turnover-ready units with consistent quality across the entire building
The right Superintendent treats this as both a craft project and an operational project — equal parts respect for the building's history and discipline around the modern construction calendar.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
