Senior Project Manager

Senior Project ManagerThe Senior Project Manager proactively manages the planning, design, and construction efforts necessary to implement projects of varying size and complexity, including new construction, major renovations, and smaller capital and maintenance projects. The Senior Project Manager performs project management duties with a high degree of independence and limited oversight and manages multiple projects concurrently, including large, phased, or otherwise complex projects and work in occupied facilities. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for planning and implementing assigned projects, including preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), supporting contract execution, and coordinating the selection of design professionals, consultants, and contractors. These responsibilities include proactively managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, risk, and communications; anticipating issues; developing and recommending solutions; and communicating decisions and project status clearly to University leadership and stakeholders. The Senior Project Manager also mentors less experienced project management staff and supports the development of departmental standards and procedures.Duties and Responsibilities: Project Planning, Design & Construction Management: Manages assigned capital and maintenance projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, closeout, and occupancy. Responsibilities include projects of varying size and complexity, from smaller renovation and maintenance projects to major renovations, infrastructure improvements, and new construction. Capital Planning, Budgeting & Project Initiation: Leads early planning for assigned projects and supports University departments in the development of annual capital budget requests. Develops preliminary project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, phasing plans, and feasibility assessments. Coordinates field investigations and conceptual studies and advises University leadership and stakeholders on project priorities, risks, options, and tradeoffs before design initiation. Design & Consultant Management: Manages the programming and design phases of assigned projects. Develops consultant procurement strategies and manages architects, engineers, legal counsel, and specialty consultants through Requests for Proposals, selection, contract execution, and design. Reviews drawings, specifications, estimates, and schedules for alignment with project objectives, applicable codes, permitting requirements, University standards, and available funding. Bidding, Procurement & Contract Administration: Leads competitive bidding and procurement activities in coordination with Procurement and in accordance with University policies. Develops bid and contracting strategies; prepares and reviews bid packages, construction contracts, purchase requisitions, and related procurement documentation; and manages clarifications, negotiations, and recommendations for award. Evaluates contractors and vendors based on qualifications, cost, schedule, risk, and project requirements. Construction Management & Field Coordination: Manages the construction phase of assigned projects, coordinating contractors, vendors, consultants, campus partners, and occupants to ensure timely and successful project delivery. Monitors construction progress, quality, safety, and schedule performance and proactively addresses issues affecting scope, cost, operations, or schedule. Provides on-site field oversight as required and leads coordination for phased work in occupied facilities. Financial Oversight, Change Management & Project Closeout: Develops and monitors project budgets, forecasts, commitments, expenditures, and contingency use. Reviews and processes contractor and vendor invoices and evaluates and recommends approval or disapproval of change orders to the AVP Planning, Design, & Construction and the Director of Capital Projects. Maintains required project documentation and contract records and identifies emerging budget or schedule risks for timely resolution. Coordinates project closeout activities, including commissioning, occupancy, as-built documentation, training, warranties, and final financial reconciliation. Stakeholder Communication & Project Reporting: Manages project communications and provides clear, timely, and accurate status updates to University stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Communicates project scope, schedule, budget, decisions, risks, and anticipated impacts. Ensures stakeholders understand upcoming activities, required decisions, and changes affecting project delivery or campus operations. Escalates significant issues to University leadership with appropriate background and a recommended course of action. Team Leadership & Departmental Support: Mentors and supports less experienced project management staff and provides project-based guidance, technical review, and assistance with issue resolution. Supports consistent project management practices, document standards, reporting, and process improvement across the department. Assists the AVP Planning, Design, & Construction and the Director of Capital Projects with capital planning, special initiatives, and presentations to University leadership and governing bodies as assigned. Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.Minimum Qualifications: Formal Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related field is required. Equivalent technical training, knowledge, and at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in design and construction may substitute for a technical degree. Professional licensure or project management certification is preferred. Specific Job Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of construction materials and techniques and working knowledge of building envelope, structural, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and life-safety systems. Demonstrated experience in construction contract administration and in managing complex, phased, and occupied-facility projects. Minimum Work Experience: 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, budgeting, estimating, procurement, and construction of capital projects. Experience managing complex institutional or commercial projects with significant budget, schedule, stakeholder, or regulatory requirements is required. Higher education experience is preferred. This experience must include independent management of all phases of projects from programming and design through bidding, construction, commissioning, closeout, and occupancy. Must be well-versed in the design process, construction methodologies and procedures, codes, and project management principles; able to solicit, evaluate, and negotiate estimates, bids, and cost proposals; proficient in managing project budgets and schedules; and able to read and interpret design and construction contracts and contract documents, including drawings, specifications, payment applications, and change orders. Equipment Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Bluebeam, and project management and scheduling software is required. Familiarity with database programs, Autodesk AutoCAD, and Autodesk Revit is preferred.