Hi Troy!
I'm giving my 2 cents here as a former Cooperate manufacturing Project manager gone Property Manager:
I think the pay structure you have currently is an awesome start! With the RE game commission is a great way to ensure you get value in and value out on a project. However, as an agent and investor, we understand an accept that our payout comes with time- however for a project manager realistically looking for a 1099, being paid at the time of work is key to making sure you have the right person on your team.
Is there realistically a way that you can create your projections of net profit on a project (in a scale format from X$ to Y$) and find a happy medium in there of expected net profit, and carve out your PM budget there? You have a risk definitely, but paying your PM on a more consistent basis may help you get a motivated professional on your team who is there to stay! Maybe go for a commission based bonus structure to take it to the next level!
On top of ironing out pay structure, I would 1000% create clear documentation of what expectations you have for your project, and how and when you expect your PM to meet them to ensure that you receive the value and service that you are paying for. The documentation creates both a blueprint and document of accountability.
As a Project Manager, when diving into a new initiative, I'd sit down with a project charter with our VP, and ask questions to gain a full understanding of the expectations of a project. This may be a no brainer- but think of exactly how, when, and why you want this project done so you can clearly provide that blueprint to your PM.
Is your top priority here the timeline? The payout? The budget? Or creating the most unique Fix and Flip ever seen to become tiktoc famous? This could greatly change project approach for your PM. The less confusion, the more efficiency!
Hope this helps and Best of Luck!!