Construction Project Manager

The University of Iowa Facilities Management, Design & Construction is hiring a Construction Project Manager at the Specialist, Intermediate, or Senior level (Pay Grades 3B, 4B, or 5B, respectively). Applicants should indicate in their cover letter the level(s) they wish to be considered for.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Construction Project Specialist

The Construction Project Specialist supports the planning, coordination, and execution of capital construction, renovation, and deferred maintenance projects that serve the needs of the institution. As part of an integrated project team, this position assists with projects of the design and construction project life cycle gaining hands-on experience in institutional project delivery processes, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder coordination. The Construction Project Specialist collaborates closely with consultants, contractors, and campus stakeholders to help ensure the successful delivery of capital improvement projects under the department's purview.


Duties to include:

• Lead thorough and effective project coordination meetings among internal and external participants, including bi-weekly Integrated Project Team meetings.
• Manage a group of capital projects in construction to assure compliance with industry standards, building codes, and engineering practices.
• Manage and coordinate the project decision-making process and ensure team members are aware of any changes.
• Actively maintain project information in department project management system, BuildUI.
• Provide briefings and reports that are accurate and contain appropriate detail.
• Coordinate, conduct and/or participate in efficient, well-planned, and productive meetings throughout assigned project(s).
• Ensure agreements reflect client needs and project parameters, and monitor the project to assure scope, time, and budget requirements are met.
• Provide active budget management of a group of capital projects including managing the project budget, engineering/architecture fees, and contingencies.
• Manage purchase orders and contracts and negotiate contract changes with assistance as needed.
• Ensure projects remain on schedule throughout the course of design and/or construction.
• Identify and elevate concerns to a Design & Construction Leadership team member.

Construction Project Manager

The Construction Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering capital construction, major renovation, and deferred maintenance projects. This role manages projects from initial programming and design through construction, commissioning, and closeout, ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with institutional standards, regulatory requirements, and project goals for the successful delivery of capital improvement projects under the department's purview. The Construction Project Manager serves as the institution's representative, collaborating with stakeholders including faculty, administration, facilities staff, consultants, contractors and regulatory authorities to achieve high-quality, sustainable, and service-oriented project outcomes while minimizing disruption to campus operations.

Duties to include:

• Effectively communicate the project with project team members and administration.
• Actively maintain project information, including budget, schedule, and impacts in department project management system, BuildUI.
• Manage conflicts between delivering institutional objectives and project team member isolated interests.
• Responsible for the project decision-making process and ensuring team members are aware of any changes.
• Lead thorough and effective project coordination among internal and external participants for the entire project duration.
• Provide expert advice on constructability impact in the formulation of schedules during the design phase.
• Manage schedules actively and accurately during projects to enforce contract requirements.

Sr Construction Project Manager

The Senior Construction Project Manager maintains a complex portfolio of capital construction and major renovation projects that advance the mission and long-term vision of the institution. This role is responsible for leading projects of significant, complexity, and risk from early feasibility, programming, and funding coordination through design, construction, system verification, and closeout with a primary focus on ensuring alignment with institutional stands, regulatory requirements, and projects goals from an owner's representative perspective. Serving as the owner's representative, the Senior Construction Project Manager leads cross-functional project teams, manages external design and construction partners, and advises executive leadership and key stakeholders on project planning, delivery strategies, cost control, schedule risk, and constructability. The position exercises substantial independent judgement, sets project governance standards, resolves high-impact issues, and proactively mitigates financial, operational, and safety risks. In addition to direct project delivery, the Senior Construction Project Manager provides mentorship to junior staff and all member of integrated project teams, contributes to the continuous improvement of project management practices, and plays an active role in shaping policies, standards, and long-range capital planning efforts, ensuring high-quality, durable and cost-effective facilities that support academic, research, healthcare, housing, and auxiliary functions with minimal disruption to campus operations.

Duties to include:

• Build effective relationships with clients, internal and external stakeholders to assess needs and expectations and monitor the performance of project team.
• Effectively communicate (both verbally and written) the project status with project team members and administration.
• Actively maintain project information in department project management system, BuildUI.
• Plan the sequencing and scheduling of capital improvement projects in coordination with administration.
• Provide technical and administrative support and guidance to other project managers and members of internal project teams.
• Manage conflicts between delivering institutional objectives and project team member isolated interests.
• Manage complex budgets and contracts that are funded by multiple sources, including engineering and architectural fees and contingencies.
• Collaborate with the project team in the development of project schedules and recommend the use of schedule incentive clauses in contract documents to administration.
• Have knowledge and communicate project delivery requirements and customer expectations.
• Coach and mentor team members in effective project management skills and all aspects of contract management.

Construction Project Specialist

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional experience (typically 1-3 years) in project management.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in computer software applications.
• Familiarity with construction site safety guidelines.
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in a client-focused, team-oriented environment.
• Professional experience (typically 1-3 years) in construction project management.
• Basic knowledge of quality management and commissioning processes.
• Working experience with project management software such as Bluebeam and Microsoft Projects.
• Basic knowledge with healthcare, laboratory or MEPT capital improvement projects and/or state building inspection procedures.

Construction Project Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional experience (typically 3-5 years) in project management with preference in construction project management.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in computer software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and project management software.
• Familiarity with construction site safety guidelines.
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Experience in a customer-focused, team-oriented environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in a client-focused, team-oriented environment.
• Professional experience (typically 3-5 years) in construction project management at a large institution.
• Experience with project management software such as Bluebeam and Microsoft Project.
• Experience managing healthcare, laboratory and/or MEPT capital improvement projects.
• Experience with commissioning processes and/or building inspection procedures.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management procedures.
• Understanding of the total-cost-ownership approach to project decision making and other effective practices supporting facilities stewardship.

Sr Construction Project Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional experience (typically 5-7 years) in project management with preference in construction project management.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in computer software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and project management software.
• Familiarity with construction site safety guidelines.
• Extensive experience managing complex project budgets.
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Experience in a customer-focused, team-oriented environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional experience (typically 5-7 years) in construction project management at a large institution.
• Expert/Leader experience in managing healthcare, laboratory and/or complex MEPT capital improvement projects.
• Knowledge of the operating principles, major issues, governmental regulations, and code of ethics for the healthcare industry; ability to apply this understanding appropriately to healthcare related situations.
• Experience with commissioning processes and/or state building inspection procedures.
• Extensive experience in project management principles.
• Extensive experience with project management software such as Bluebeam and Microsoft Project.
• Experience in applying a total-cost-ownership approach to project decision making and other effective practices supporting facilities stewardship.

Location: Campus - University Services Building (USB)

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM

For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.

About Facilities Management Design & Construction:

Design & Construction leads a comprehensive and cooperative approach to design and construction excellence in creating a campus that is consistent with the University of Iowa's status as one of the nation's leading academic/research institutions. We support the University's mission to educate, provide community service and encourage environmental sustainability. Design & Construction takes an integrated and sustainable approach to the long-term planning and management of the University of Iowa's land, buildings, and historic resources.

About Iowa City

The university is located along the picturesque Iowa River in Iowa City, a city of some 77,000 people (170,000+ in the metro area) regularly ranked as one of the nation's best places to live. Iowa City is less than four hours from Chicago and within five hours of Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City, readily accessible via interstate highways and a regional airport 30 minutes away.

Application Details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background investigation. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. State agency employers in Iowa are required to use E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. University of Iowa employees, including those who work remotely or out-of-state, are subject to E-Verify.

For additional questions, please contact Andy Brus at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

About the University of Iowa:

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.


Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.


Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.