CHRISTOPHER LEAL
Passaic,NJ
Summary
Project Manager and Owner’s Representative overseeing a $335 million high-rise residential development. Trusted by ownership to manage day-to-day execution, coordinate architects, engineers, general contractors, and consultants, and drive financial and contractual decisions from design development through active construction. Extensive experience reviewing AIA G702 pay applications, negotiating change orders, and managing owner-direct scopes while protecting project budget and schedule.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of International Operations
Garcorp International 17 S.R.L
04.2023 - Current
- Advanced from Executive Assistant to Director of International Operations within the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
- Coordinated international stakeholders, investors, and internal teams to facilitate capital deployment into U.S.-based development projects, enhancing investment efficiency.
- Supported executive leadership by delivering financial analysis and reporting, ensuring seamless cross-border coordination.
- Developed and executed international outreach strategies that drove company growth and strengthened investor engagement.
Project Manager / Owner’s Representative
High-Rise Residential Development
Jersey City, NJ
01.2022 - Current
- Act as Owner’s Representative for a $336M high-rise residential tower, supporting ownership in design, construction, financial oversight, and coordination across all trades and consultants.
- Negotiate, coordinate, and execute scopes of work with multiple contractors under owner-direct responsibility, ensuring integration with base building construction activities.
- Led coordination meetings to resolve constructability issues, RFIs, design clarifications, and scope conflicts, ensuring project alignment.
- Identified schedule risks and proactively collaborated with the project team to implement corrective strategies.
- Assisted ownership with sequencing and logistics decisions, addressing field conditions to mitigate cost, schedule, and contract exposure.
- Analyzed and negotiated contractor change orders, validating scope, pricing, schedule impact, and contractual compliance to secure owner approval.
- Review, negotiate, and process AIA Document G702 (Application and Certificate for Payment), verifying percent complete, stored materials, change orders, and retainage prior to owner approval.
- Review and track shop drawings, submittals, and design revisions to ensure alignment with owner standards and project intent.
Small Business Owner – Construction Division
Leal Trading and Holding
10.2019 - 03.2022
- Founded and operated small construction company, balancing business responsibilities with undergraduate studies.
- Managed a five-person crew and oversaw the full renovation of a residential duplex.
- Developed project schedules, coordinated subcontractors, and managed materials, labor, and on-site execution.
- Gained hands-on experience in construction sequencing, contractor management, and effective field problem-solving.
Education
Certification - Construction Codes and Project Planning & Control
Hudson County Community College
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Finance
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ01.2022
Associate of Science (A.S.) - Business Administration
Bergen Community College
01.2019
Skills
- Project Management
- Owner’s Representation
- Contract Negotiation
- Change Order Review & Negotiation
- AIA G702 Pay Application Review & Negotiation
- High-Rise Construction Coordination
- Owner-Direct Contractor Coordination
- Consultant & Contractor Management
- RFI and submittal management
- Schedule Tracking & Milestones
- Financial & Contractual Oversight
Personal Information
Title: Project Manager | Owner’s Representative
Languages
- English, Native
- Spanish, Professional Working Proficiency
Timeline
Director of International Operations
Garcorp International 17 S.R.L
04.2023 - Current
Project Manager / Owner’s Representative
High-Rise Residential Development
01.2022 - Current
Small Business Owner – Construction Division
Leal Trading and Holding
10.2019 - 03.2022
Certification - Construction Codes and Project Planning & Control
Hudson County Community College
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Finance
William Paterson University
Associate of Science (A.S.) - Business Administration
Bergen Community College