U

University of Chicago

Private research university in Chicago, IL

Assistant Director - Project Management

Construction ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeChicago, IL, USA$146.2k - $172k

About the Job

Requirements

  • A college or university degree in a related field is required.
  • At least 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline is required.
  • Ten years of experience in the design and/or construction industry is required, including contract administration, negotiations with design firms and contractors, construction sequencing and logistics, value engineering, and other project management-related duties and activities.
  • Experience leading, coordinating, or providing day-to-day oversight of staff, consultants, or vendor teams is preferred, whether or not it included formal direct-report responsibilities.
  • Experience in a university setting and/or large capital programs is preferred.
  • Familiarity with all phases of design-phase milestones, bidding and permit processes, and construction administration is preferred.
  • Demonstrated competency and exposure to building projects of different scales and involving all building trade divisions is preferred.
  • Experience on projects involving specialized processes and complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning support systems is preferred.
  • Experience working within complex phasing constraints and existing densely built, mature facilities environments is preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets and schedules during planning, design, and construction phases is preferred.
  • Demonstrated leadership, management, and organizational skills and ability to manage large, complex projects and teams are preferred.
  • Demonstrated familiarity in coordinating multiple interest groups and stakeholders is preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate departmental user groups' detailed functional requirements with broader project goals of a complex institutional organization is preferred.
  • A professional license as a Professional Engineer, Structural Engineer, Architect, or Certified Construction Manager is preferred.
  • Comprehensive understanding of project delivery gained through documented education and/or experience is required.
  • Ability to use management principles to ensure responsibilities are met effectively and efficiently, including planning, controlling, leading, and organizing is required.
  • Proficiency with schedule development and tracking, including software such as Microsoft Project, is required.
  • Experience developing project budgets and knowledge of best practices for determining and predicting costs based on scope, quality, and available funding at various development stages is required.
  • Experience using project management software such as e-Builder or Procore is required.
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and industry software, including Word, Excel, SmartSheet, Outlook, PowerPoint, Bluebeam, and AutoCAD, is required.
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and direct project management work of direct reports and other professionals, including delegating, prioritizing, and escalating individual project issues while keeping the program moving forward, is required.
  • Familiarity with building processes in varied settings, including applicable authorities having jurisdiction, and ability to apply this knowledge to develop solutions to construction-process problems is required.
  • Knowledge of engineering and architectural systems, construction practices, and applicable codes, standards, and regulations is required.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction documents, including drawings and specifications, is required.
  • Knowledge of building-industry considerations such as environmental conditions, historical preservation, and sustainable and energy-efficient design is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in professional, architecture and engineering, and construction contract administration is required.
  • Ability to direct procurement and contract negotiation, including guaranteed maximum price proposals, is required.
  • Comprehensive understanding of varied project delivery methods and associated construction contracts is required.
  • Demonstrated negotiation skills and ability to evaluate estimates, bids, and cost proposals are required.
  • Comprehensive understanding of claims, arbitration, and mediation is required.
  • Ability to hold consultants and contractors accountable and enforce contract requirements, including deliverables, schedule, and budget, is required.
  • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills appropriate to managing information flow for decision-making at senior management levels in a complex institutional organization are required.
  • Client service skills and ability to interact effectively with departmental staff and administrators throughout the University are required.
  • Interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships with university clients and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels are required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively within and outside the department is required.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information is required.
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and exert informal authority is required.
  • Ability to physically enter and comfortably move through a construction site is required.
  • Ability to visually inspect work in progress, including traversing significantly uneven surfaces and climbing ladders, is required.
  • Ability to inspect architectural plans, keyboard, bend and stoop to reach files, lift light objects, and stand is required.

Responsibilities

  • Manage assigned project management staff, including consultant staff, directing their day-to-day activities and efforts.
  • Develop project managers by identifying skill gaps, ensuring appropriate training is available, providing coaching and guidance, conducting annual performance appraisals, and proactively addressing performance issues.
  • Direct the project management work of professionals and ensure project managers provide the full range of project management services.
  • Collaborate with other Capital Project Delivery leadership on program-wide direction.
  • Participate in setting and executing broader Facilities Services strategic mission, priorities, and resource allocation to maximize client satisfaction.
  • Manage and oversee project planning for directly managed projects, including scope or program confirmation, on-site assessments, and identification of forensic evaluations to support decisions about first cost versus life-cycle costs.
  • Support capital budgeting by ensuring procedures are followed to deliver high-quality, accurate project and construction cost estimates.
  • Develop or oversee development of master project schedules and define roles and responsibilities for each project team.
  • Review programming, including building infrastructure requirements, utilities, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
  • Provide management direction, leadership, and oversight for project management services to university departments to deliver construction projects on schedule, within budget, at high quality, cost-effectively, and in line with client program needs.
  • Ensure project delivery complies with university guidelines, management processes, standards, quality expectations, and requirements.
  • Establish and review project documentation, prepare regular progress reports, and oversee negotiation of additional services and contractor change-order requests.
  • Develop monthly expense forecasts, predicting basic-service costs, change orders, and potential future costs throughout each project.
  • Work with consultants to identify targeted value opportunities.
  • Support the department’s yearly financial objectives through planning, directing, controlling, implementing, evaluating, monitoring, and forecasting budgets.
  • Provide management direction and oversight for selection processes that maximize quality and control consultant and contract costs.
  • Oversee development of Requests for Proposals and assist with solicitation and evaluation of proposals and selection of vendors and contractors for design, construction management, and consulting services.
  • Lead vendor negotiations and participate in contract development; direct procurement and contract negotiation, including guaranteed maximum price proposals.
  • Work toward University goals for hiring minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises.
  • Manage and coordinate directly managed projects from inception through closeout, overseeing design and construction professionals.
  • Guide design and construction of spaces and buildings, ensuring adherence to University Facilities Standards and project design objectives.
  • Manage the permit process, including coordination with applicable authorities having jurisdiction.
  • Coordinate construction logistics and support plans, including traffic, staging areas, and parking.
  • Implement responsible project-delivery practices for capital projects and maintain strong working relationships with the design and construction industry.
  • Oversee timely project completion, including closeout submittals and procedures, archiving, and customer move-in.
  • Develop or review commissioning and turnover plans, including punch lists, warranties and guarantees, systems training, certificates of occupancy, and approval of final contractor pay applications.
  • Ensure completed work is transferred seamlessly to Operations and Management and Units, following Facilities Services project management processes.
  • Report project status, including budget, schedule, and coordination issues, to the Executive Director and project-governance committees and groups.
  • Educate internal and external clients about the project management process and represent Capital Project Delivery and Facilities Services on applicable committees.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the Facilities Services Management Team, work with peers toward unit objectives, encourage teamwork, and ensure university subject matter experts and units are engaged and consulted during design and construction as required.
  • Develop and ensure regular tracking of performance measurements to support continuous improvement in Capital Project Delivery and Facilities Services.
  • Resolve issues and disputes when required.
  • Manage daily maintenance and delivery of budgets and schedules and provide status updates and reports on active development projects.
  • Approve project closeout, including final punch-list completion, as-built documentation, and transition to the Asset Management team through the warranty period.
  • Perform additional duties as required.

Desired Qualifications

  • A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related discipline focused on planning, design, and construction of building structures and systems.
  • Experience leading, coordinating, or providing day-to-day oversight of staff, consultants, or vendor teams, whether or not it included formal direct-report responsibilities.
  • Experience in a university setting and/or large capital programs.
  • Familiarity with all phases of design-phase milestones, bidding and permit processes, and construction administration.
  • Demonstrated competency and exposure to building projects of different scales and involving all building trade divisions.
  • Experience on projects involving specialized processes and complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning support systems.
  • Experience working within complex phasing constraints and existing densely built, mature facilities environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets and schedules during planning, design, and construction phases.
  • Demonstrated leadership, management, and organizational skills and ability to manage large, complex projects and teams.
  • Demonstrated familiarity in coordinating multiple interest groups and stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate departmental user groups' detailed functional requirements with broader project goals of a complex institutional organization.
  • Professional license as a Professional Engineer, Structural Engineer, Architect, or Certified Construction Manager.
  • Lead Performance & Execution at a high standard.
  • Exhibit Business Acumen & Organizational Astuteness.
  • Ensure Decision Quality, Accountability & Drive Results.
  • Communicate Effectively & With Influence.
  • Develop and Inspire Others by building and sustaining a high-performing team through coaching, mentoring, and creating opportunities for professional growth.

About the Company

University of Chicago

Private research university in Chicago, IL

The University of Chicago is a private research university founded in 1890 in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. It comprises the College, graduate divisions, and professional schools across a broad range of disciplines.

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