The company had three active projects totaling $18M in contract value, all running behind schedule due to lack of project management capacity. The firm faced potential liquidated damages of $15,000 per day if deadlines were missed, and client relationships were deteriorating. They urgently needed a Senior Project Manager with commercial construction experience, particularly in ground-up builds and tenant improvements. The company had worked with a construction-focused recruiter who charged 35% fees but took 90+ days to fill similar roles. They could not afford that timeline or cost structure given the penalties at stake. The firm needed someone who could step onto active job sites immediately and take control of struggling projects.
Stone Capital Partners conducted an expedited search over three weeks:
- Targeted project managers currently working on similar commercial projects (office buildings, retail centers, mixed-use developments) in the regional market
- Built a pipeline through direct outreach to candidates at competitor firms and through industry associations
- Assessed candidates on technical competencies (estimating, scheduling, subcontractor management) and their ability to recover troubled projects
- Arranged site visits for finalists to evaluate their approach to problem-solving and team leadership in real time
- Facilitated offer negotiation and managed the candidate through a smooth transition, including a shortened notice period given the urgency
The placement was completed at an industry low success fee with a 60-day guarantee, saving over $36,000 compared to the construction recruiter they had used previously.
The Senior Project Manager started within 20 days and immediately stabilized the three struggling projects. He restructured schedules, resolved subcontractor coordination issues, and improved communication with clients. All three projects were completed within extended timelines negotiated with clients, avoiding liquidated damages entirely. The firm estimated that the fast placement saved them over $200,000 in potential penalties and preserved critical client relationships that led to future work. The company has since engaged Stone Capital Partners for two additional project management hires and noted that the speed, industry knowledge, and cost structure made us their preferred recruitment partner for critical construction roles.
