
Philadelphia Owner’s Representation: Your Project, Our Priority
Advastar has supported the most innovative companies and complex projects across the nation
Philadelphia owner's representation recruiting and staffing solutions
Advastar provides owner representation tailored to Philadelphia, giving project owners a single accountable voice from the first programming meeting to final turnover. We protect cost, schedule, and quality on capital programs across the Greater Philadelphia region by bringing construction expertise that fits how work really gets built in this market, from downtown civic upgrades and university expansions to industrial sites in Chester, Marcus Hook, and the Delaware River corridor.
Our team manages the information flow that keeps large jobs moving. We coordinate among architects, engineers, contractors, EPC partners, and specialty trades while staying in daily contact with City of Philadelphia reviewers, the Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal, and other authorities with jurisdiction. When a scope touches riverfront property, flood protection, wetlands, or the Schuylkill and Delaware river systems, we align early with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and environmental regulators so permitting and access do not derail mobilization.
Effective owner representation in Philadelphia begins in planning. We pressure test budgets and schedules, run risk and constructability reviews, and challenge procurement strategies against real market conditions for labor, materials, and equipment. Our preconstruction oversight includes careful reviews of drawings and specifications to resolve conflicts before they hit the field, plus contracting approaches that balance price, performance, and local participation goals. When you need to negotiate with vendors or bring on consultants, we lead the process to secure terms that reflect your standards and the realities of Mid-Atlantic construction.
Once work begins, we are present on site and relentless about controls. We verify installation against plans and codes, track submittals and inspections, and document progress with daily reporting tied to earned value and critical path. We align shutdowns and tie-ins with the needs of hospitals, campuses, and industrial owners, and we plan around outage windows, turnarounds, and seasonal weather. Utility coordination is handled proactively with PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works, and local water and sewer providers, and traffic control is sequenced for busy routes like I-95, the Schuylkill Expressway, I-676, and the Blue Route so deliveries and crane picks happen without surprises.
Our cost leadership is practical and continuous. We manage pay applications, evaluate change orders, and keep contingency use transparent. Safety and quality are tracked alongside schedule through regular audits and third party testing where appropriate. When issues arise, we drive root cause analysis and corrective action rather than letting problems linger on punch lists. Closeout begins early with a turnover plan that covers commissioning, life safety testing, record drawings, training, and warranty management so operations inherit a complete, maintainable asset.
Owners in Philadelphia choose Advastar for an independent perspective and a steady hand. Whether you are building a new clinical wing on a tight urban site, upgrading central plants and controls across a municipal office portfolio, or managing a complex industrial revamp along the Delaware River corridor, we align every decision with your goals and budget. If you want an owner representative who understands Philadelphia’s codes, utilities, logistics, and weather and who will safeguard your investment from day one, connect with our Philadelphia team and put your project on the strongest possible footing.
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Our owner's-representation record
- 60+yrs combined owner's-rep experience
- 180+ capital projects overseen
- $14B+ in project value guided
- 40 project sites supported
Philadelphia owner's representation industry segments commonly supported
We collaborate with real estate professionals for site selection and acquisition. Once we’ve identified suitable property, we perform comprehensive assessments, including zoning analysis, environmental studies, and market research, to ensure the land aligns with your investment strategy and project requirements. Once we’ve confirmed the site is viable, we coordinate with local authorities to secure all necessary permits and approvals. In Philadelphia, this is most often life sciences work – the University City life sciences cluster being the obvious example.
We review the plans developed by architects and engineering teams to ensure they are feasible, efficient, and aligned to the project’s objectives, as well as in compliance with all relevant codes, standards, and regulations. When they could be improved, we evaluate alternatives that save costs without sacrificing functionality or quality. Philadelphia demand for these roles runs through the SEPTA rebuilding programme, and we staff it across Montgomery and Bucks counties.
We take a hands-on approach to managing complex construction projects from start to finish, ensuring they stay on schedule, within budget, and aligned with quality and compliance standards. Our team provides proactive leadership, contractor coordination, and risk management for projects of all sizes, from new builds to mission-critical facility upgrades. With a results-driven approach, we help owners and developers successfully deliver their vision. We place these people on the Navy Yard and the mixed use and industrial work around it.
We manage the complete procurement lifecycle—from sourcing strategy and bid packaging to final delivery—so every material, service, and piece of equipment reaches the site precisely when the schedule demands and at the best total cost of ownership. Leveraging market intelligence and rigorous vendor pre‑qualification, we secure favorable terms, track supplier performance, and uphold quality standards. By synchronizing purchase orders with construction sequencing, we eliminate supply‑chain bottlenecks and keep your project momentum strong. Across Greater Philadelphia, this sits with the life sciences employers – the University City life sciences cluster among them.
We take charge of the contractor selection, bidding, and negotiations, securing high-quality services at the best possible financial terms for the owner. After work is in progress, we act as the owner’s representative on the construction site, managing contractors and ensuring their work is adhering to the project’s budget, schedule, and quality standards. This includes conducting regular inspections to verify work quality and adherence to safety protocols, as well as monitoring expenditures, providing detailed financial reporting, and implementing strategies to mitigate construction delays. Most of our Philadelphia work in this area has been transit infrastructure, including the SEPTA rebuilding programme.
Once contracts are signed, we serve as the owner’s fiscal and legal steward, monitoring pay applications, change orders, lien waivers, and compliance milestones in real time. Dedicated administrators maintain airtight documentation and enforce terms, alerting stakeholders to deviations before they threaten budget or schedule. This clarity over cash flow and obligations frees your project team to focus on building, while safeguarding your legal position. The Navy Yard is where this shows up in Philadelphia, and we cover it out to Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.
Large CAPEX programs face shifting markets, regulatory changes, labor shortages, and weather extremes—risks that can quickly erode contingency. We maintain a dynamic risk register, quantify exposure, and deploy mitigation plans from day one, including hedging strategies, alternate sourcing, and resequenced work. Continuous monitoring and transparent reporting empower owners to make data‑driven decisions and keep projects on course. In Philadelphia, this is most often life sciences work – the University City life sciences cluster being the obvious example.
We coordinate with commissioning agents to test and validate HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other building systems, ensuring they’re functional and meet performance specifications. We also oversee the resolution of outstanding issues identified during inspections and manage the transition from construction to operation, providing ongoing support to address issues that arise after occupancy. Philadelphia demand for these roles runs through the SEPTA rebuilding programme, and we staff it across Bucks and Delaware counties.
Our commitment extends beyond substantial completion. We drive a disciplined close‑out process that captures as‑built drawings, O&M manuals, training records, and final commissioning results. After turnover, we track warranty obligations, coordinate issue resolution, and ensure contractors respond swiftly—protecting your asset’s performance and value long after ribbon‑cutting. We place these people on the Navy Yard and the mixed use and industrial work around it.
Real-world outcomes: showcasing our owner’s representation expertise
- Read Case Study: Case Study: How Advastar’s Owner’s Representation Kept a Multi-Billion Dollar Pipeline Project on Track
Case study: how Advastar’s owner’s representation kept a multi-billion dollar pipeline project on track
- Owner's oversight across two countries
- Cost, schedule and compliance controlled
- Hands-on guidance through every project phase
- Read Case Study: Case Study: How Advastar’s Owner’s Oversight Drove Success for a Large-Scale Wind Energy Project Navigating the Challenges of a Complex Wind Energy Development
Case study: how Advastar’s owner’s oversight drove success for a large-scale wind energy project navigating the challenges of a complex wind energy development
- Owner's engineering and project controls provided
- Permitting-through-grid-integration oversight
- Kept on schedule and within budget
- Read Case Study: Case Study: Advastar’s Owner’s Representation Ensures Success for a Power Generation Facility Expansion Overcoming the Challenges of a Large-Scale Power Generation Expansion
Case study: Advastar’s owner’s representation ensures success for a power generation facility expansion overcoming the challenges of a large-scale power generation expansion
- Independent owner's representation provided
- New units added with the plant kept online
- Emissions-control technology integrated
What hiring managers say about Advastar
Why clients trust Advastar
Forbes 2026Best of Recruiting & Best of Staffing
Advastar was named to Forbes' 2026 Best of Recruiting and Best of Staffing lists, both compiled from independent surveys of the clients and candidates we work with.
Read the AnnouncementGE EnergyStaffing Partner of the Year
GE Energy named Advastar its Staffing Partner of the Year in 2025 through the GE Vernova supplier program.
60+ yearsof combined owner’s representation expertise
Our owner’s representation recruiters bring more than 60 years of combined recruiting experience to every search we run.
Tell us who you need to hire
- Tell us about the role you need to fill
- A recruiter calls you within one business day
- Together we agree on a plan to fill the role
Find your next role
- Tell us what kind of work you want
- A recruiter reviews your details and gets in touch
- We put you forward for jobs that fit
GE Energy Staffing Partner of the Year
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Our philadelphia owner’s representation: project, our priority recruiting team
David Case
President, Advastar Engineering Services
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Tim Shearer
VP & National Managing Director
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Robert Cornelio
Director of Business Development
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Jaime Summers
Senior Recruiter
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Amanda Martin
Recruiter
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Christen Trent
Recruiter
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Laura Carrillo Barrios
Recruiter
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Lisa Wombwell
Office Manager
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Philadelphia owner's representation hiring, answered
Most Philadelphia searches produce a shortlist inside three to four weeks. Roles tied to life sciences, healthcare and transit infrastructure move faster because we are already talking to that bench; a niche credential or a clearance requirement adds time.
We staff work across Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties, with most demand coming from life sciences, healthcare and transit infrastructure. Recent activity has clustered around the Navy Yard, the University City life sciences cluster and the SEPTA rebuilding programme.
Skilled trades in Greater Philadelphia run $39 to $64 an hour for skilled trades, with salaried owner’s representation roles priced against the same market. We benchmark every search against what Philadelphia employers are actually paying rather than a national average.
Both, plus contract to hire and employer of record payrolling. Project work across Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties tends to start as contract and convert; corporate and leadership roles are usually direct hire from the start.
Pennsylvania licensing applies to the trades that require it, and site access on the Navy Yard work often carries its own safety and background requirements. We verify credentials before a candidate reaches your shortlist.
Yes. Our Philadelphia office serves Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester counties, and the recruiters working your search know Greater Philadelphia rather than covering it from another state.
The Philadelphia office
123 S Broad StPhiladelphia, PA 19109







