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 seven years of work experience in a related job discipline is required.
  • A minimum of 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 required.
  • Demonstrated competency and exposure to building projects of different scales involving all building-trade divisions is required.
  • Experience on projects involving specialized processes and complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning support systems is required.
  • Experience working within complex phasing constraints and existing densely built, mature facilities environments is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets and schedules during planning, design, and construction phases is required.
  • Demonstrated leadership, management, and organizational skills, including the ability to manage large, complex projects and teams, are required.
  • Familiarity coordinating multiple interest groups and stakeholders is required.
  • Ability to integrate departmental user groups’ detailed functional requirements with broader project goals in a complex institutional organization is required.
  • 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, including planning, controlling, leading, and organizing, to ensure responsibilities are met effectively and efficiently is required.
  • Proficiency in 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 stages of development are required.
  • Experience using project-management software such as e-Builder or Procore is required.
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and other industry software, including Word, Excel, SmartSheet, Outlook, PowerPoint, Bluebeam, and AutoCAD, is required.
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and direct project-management work by delegating, prioritizing, and escalating project issues while keeping the program of projects moving forward is required.
  • Familiarity with building processes in varied settings, including applicable authorities having jurisdiction, and ability to apply this knowledge to develop construction-process solutions are 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 university staff and administrators are required.
  • Interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships with university clients and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels are required.
  • Ability to provide effective communication 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 and perform keyboarding, bending, stooping to reach files, light lifting, and standing is required.
  • Some travel may be required.

Responsibilities

  • Manage assigned project-management staff, including consultant staff, and direct 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 project-management work by 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 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 procedures to deliver accurate project and construction cost estimates for all projects.
  • Develop or oversee master project schedules and define project-team roles and responsibilities.
  • 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 so construction projects meet schedules, budgets, quality, cost-effectiveness, and client-program needs.
  • Ensure project delivery complies with university guidelines, management processes, standards of excellence, quality, 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’s life.
  • Work with consultants to identify targeted value opportunities.
  • Support departmental annual financial objectives through planning, directing, controlling, implementing, evaluating, monitoring, and forecasting budgets.
  • Provide management direction and oversight for consultant and contract selection to maximize quality and control costs.
  • Oversee Requests for Proposals and assist with soliciting and evaluating proposals and selecting vendors and contractors for design, construction management, and consulting services.
  • Lead vendor negotiations, participate in contract development, and direct procurement and contract negotiation, including guaranteed maximum price proposals.
  • Work to meet or exceed 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, such as traffic, staging areas, and parking.
  • Implement responsible project-delivery best practices for capital projects and maintain working relationships with the design and construction industry.
  • Oversee timely project completion, including closeout submittals, 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 final contractor pay applications.
  • Ensure completed work transfers smoothly to Operations and Management and Units under Facilities Services project-management processes.
  • Report project budget, schedule, and coordination status to the Executive Director, Capital Project Delivery, and relevant 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 productive relationships with the Facilities Services Management Team, work effectively with peers, encourage teamwork within and between units, 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 measures that 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 in a university setting and/or large capital programs.
  • Preferred competencies include leading performance and execution to a high standard; demonstrating business acumen and organizational astuteness; ensuring decision quality, accountability, and results; communicating effectively and with influence; and developing and inspiring others by building and sustaining a high-performing team through coaching, mentoring, and professional-growth opportunities.

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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