DescriptionReporting to the Director of Campus Planning, the Project Manager will lead the full lifecycle of complex design and construction projects-from initial concept and planning through design, construction, and completion. This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the university's physical environment and delivering spaces that directly support the student experience, academic mission, and future of the institution.
The Project Manager will manage multiple projects simultaneously across the university's three campuses and serve as a key liaison among Campus Planning and Facilities, university leadership and stakeholders, architects and design professionals, contractors, and other project partners. The role offers the opportunity to work across an unusually diverse portfolio of project types, including residence halls, classrooms, laboratories, food service facilities, libraries, public assembly spaces, campus infrastructure, and historic restoration.
Working closely with university stakeholders, the Project Manager will define project programs, scope, schedules, and budgets; lead the selection and management of design teams; guide projects through the design process; coordinate competitive construction procurement with the university's Purchasing Department; negotiate contracts; and oversee construction to ensure projects are delivered with exceptional quality, within budget, and on schedule.
The successful candidate will be proactive, strategic, and collaborative and will bring energy, curiosity, and sound judgment to every project. They will be comfortable navigating complex environments, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, challenging conventional approaches when appropriate, and turning challenges into creative solutions. Above all, they will be someone who enjoys making things happen - working across disciplines, solving problems, and seeing ideas become exceptional spaces that have a lasting impact on the university community.
Position Duties - Oversee projects from conception, through design, bid, construction, and post-construction phases to meet the university's objectives for scope, quality, schedule, budget, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Serve as the primary project representative for the University, establishing clear lines of communication and coordinating project-related communications among the University community, impacted departments, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Issue RFP's, contracts and other project documents in compliance with University policies and procedures as outlined in the "Purchasing & Contracts Comprehensive Buyers Guide".
- Analyze programmatic needs and make recommendations for effective, efficient, and innovative space utilization.
- Develop and maintain project budgets, including project contingencies, commitments, forecasts, and projected budget surpluses at completion.
- Manage projects within budget and proactively identify and communicate financial risks and opportunities.
- Develop and effectively manage project schedules to ensure timely project delivery and proactively address schedule risks and potential delays.
- Collaborate with the University's Director of Engineering, Director of Energy and Resiliency, and Director of Design to ensure that projects meet the University's broader operational, technical, sustainability, resiliency, and design objectives.
- Lead the development and implementation of project delivery strategies appropriate to the scope, complexity, schedule, and risk profile of each project.
- Follow best practices in contractor selection and contract administration.
- Provide evaluations and reports on the overall performance of contractors and architects.
- Ensure compliance and conformance of construction with approved plans, specifications, codes, standards, and University requirements.
- Manage architects, engineers, contractors and projects consultants. Ensure that all regulatory agency requirements are met.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality, coordination, and conformance with project requirements.
- Review, negotiate as needed, and approve change orders and applications for payment. Evaluate the cost and schedule impacts of proposed changes and maintain appropriate project documentation. Resolve conflicts that may occur during construction.
- Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks throughout the project lifecycle, escalating significant issues and recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Perform final inspection of projects and establish in collaboration with design professionals, substantial and final completion dates.
- Ensure that close out punch lists are comprehensive and have been addressed in advance of final payment. Ensure timely completion of commissioning, owner training, warranties, operations and maintenance documentation, and other project closeout requirements.
- Coordinates the interruption of utilities, power, steam/water, roads and parking caused by construction projects with affected departments and minimizes disruption to university operations.
- Apply sustainable design, energy efficiency, resiliency, and green building standards to all new construction and major renovation projects.
- Engage University stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to establish consensus, communicate project decisions and impacts, and ensure that project outcomes align with institutional priorities.
- Identify opportunities to improve project delivery processes, standards, and best practices across the University's capital project portfolio.
- Perform other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Position Qualifications - Must have a Bachelor's degree in architecture or construction management, LEED certification preferred.
- Minimum of five years of design/construction project management experience, including serving as the owner's primary representative for capital projects.
- Previous experience with higher education and construction is preferred.
- Must have strong client relations skills and the ability to work well with architects, engineers, contractors, and in-house interdisciplinary teams including IT, security, energy and sustainability, facilities, purchasing, risk management and legal counsel.
- Must have the ability to work well under pressure.
- Must have a proven record of managing project budget successfully.
- Has experience with various project delivery methods.
- Must be familiar with multiple AI platforms and be able to creatively leverage AI to increase productivity and streamline workflows.
- Understanding of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, as well as a working knowledge of New York City and New York State Building Codes.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD/Revit, Sketch-Up, In-Design, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent project planning and organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Work Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed.
