Project Manager, CPD

Department
OPS Facilities CPD Project Management 1
About the Department
The University of Chicago is a world-class institution of higher education. Its mission is to produce a caliber of teaching and research that regularly leads to advances in fields such as medicine, biology, physics, economics, critical theory, and public policy. Our Facilities Services team supports that mission through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors, and visitors.
Job Summary
As a member of the Facilities Services Capital Project Delivery (CPD), the Project Manager (PM) will report to a Director or Assistant Director. The PM is responsible for managing or assisting in managing assigned projects through their full capital development cycle, coordinating as needed to transition projects from planning into CPD, and turnover to facilities operations, working as a self-directed professional within the formal processes and procedures of a capital program. The PM independently leads projects across a range of types and scales, including:

Technical, Research, and Laboratory Projects – Design and construction of space, and/or buildings whose primary function is to support research, or specialized functions of a technical or specialized nature requiring complex and sophisticated support systems, finishes, or other conditions.

Small Scale Projects – Design and construction of small, relatively simple projects triggered by a change in function or need to refurbish existing space, or projects limited in cost, area, or complexity. Projects tend to incorporate a room, suite of rooms, or building type of relatively simple parameters.

General and Large-Scale Projects – Design and construction of renovated space and/or new buildings of strategic institutional or business use, that may require specialized systems, processes, preservation, or construction systems. Space types may include classrooms and meeting rooms, offices, residential, recreational, lounges, food service, etc.

Programming and Preliminary Design Projects – Feasibility studies, programming studies, space allocation and assessment, and preliminary conceptual design and planning. Projects include evaluations of quantity and quality of space needed for new, expanding, or changing programs.

Infrastructure Projects – Design and construction of projects whose scope is primarily related to addressing deferred maintenance through recapitalization of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, building automation, utility, or other systems and infrastructure-related components

Infrastructure Projects - Design and construction of projects whose scope is primarily related to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, "HVAC", building automation, utility systems, or any other infrastructure-related component.

Responsibilities

- Works with limited guidance to manage the project planning process, including scope or program confirmation, on site assessments and identification of forensic evaluations to ensure sound decisions are made relative to first cost versus life cycle costs.
- Leads in the development of assigned project budgets in support of Facilities Services annual capital planning efforts and/or other capital planning in support of university leadership or academic initiatives.
- Develops the master project schedules and defines the roles and responsibilities for each project team.
- Reviews the programming process, including building infrastructure requirements, utilities, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.
- Assures budget, schedule, scope, standards, and quality are within requirements.
- Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares regular progress reports, and negotiates additional services and contractor change order requests.
- Works with consultants to identify targeted value opportunities.
- Identifies requirements for project phasing based on academic calendar, mitigating campus impacts, and project funding.
- Develops monthly expense forecasts, predicting costs of basic services, change orders and potential future costs throughout the life of the project.
- Develops Requests for Proposals and assists in the solicitation and evaluation of proposals and selection of vendors and contractors for design, construction management, and other consulting services.
- Lead in negotiations with vendors and participate in the development of contracts.
- Manages and coordinates all aspects of projects from inception through closeout, providing oversight of design and construction professionals.
- Guides the design and construction of spaces and buildings, assuring adherence to University Facilities Standards and the project's design objectives.
- Manages the permit process, including coordinating with applicable authorities having jurisdiction.
- Coordinates logistics and support plans (e.g., traffic, staging areas, parking) during construction.
- Ensure seamless transfer of completed work to Operations and Management and Units, following Facilities Services standard project management process.
- Oversee timely completion of the project including all close-out submittals, procedures, archiving, and customer move-in.
- Develops a commissioning and turnover plan, including managing the punch list, submitting warranties and guarantees, providing systems training, ensuring certificate of occupancy, and approving final contractor pay applications.
- Conducts regular communications with internal and external customers and stakeholders, ensuring understanding of the project management process and progress.
- Maintains project documentation including meeting minutes, issues tracking, and document distribution.
- Develops and maintains strong relationships with others in Facilities Services and University Partners to meet the mission of Facilities Services and the objectives of project management and to ensure proper project governance.
- Maintains Facilities Services philosophies by fostering a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
- Guides to the design and construction of spaces and buildings. Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares monthly progress reports, and negotiates additional services and contractors change order requests.
- Has a deep understanding in Facilities Project Delivery leading others to develop and recommend process improvements relating to their work on larger, complex facilities projects.
- Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

- Bachelor's degree or related degree in construction management, building industry related engineering (i.e. mechanical, electrical, structural, civil), or architecture.

Experience:

- Seven years' experience in planning, design, construction, and project management related duties and activities.
- Experience in project management and/or program management associated with the design and construction of building and/or infrastructure projects.
- Experience in higher education/education, research, health care, or similar commercial or industrial facilities.
- Familiarity with all phases of design phase milestones, bidding and permit processes and construction administration.
- Experience on projects involving specialized processes, and complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) support systems.
- Demonstrated competency and exposure to building projects of different scales and involving all building trade divisions.
- Experience working within complex phasing constraints and within existing densely built, mature facilities environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets and schedules during planning, design, and construction phases.
- Demonstrated familiarity in coordinating multiple interest groups and stakeholders.
- Guides to the design and construction of spaces and buildings. Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares monthly progress reports, and negotiates additional services and contractors change order requests.
- Has a deep understanding in Facilities Project Delivery leading others to develop and recommend process improvements relating to their work on larger, complex facilities projects.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

- Proficiency with schedule development and tracking, including software such as Microsoft Project.
- Experience with development of project budgets and knowledge of best practices in determining and predicting costs based on scope, quality, and available funding, at various stages of development.
- Experience using project management software (eg. e-Builder, Procore, etc.).
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and other industry software (Word, Excel, Smart Sheet, Outlook, PowerPoint, Blue Beam, Autocad, and Claude)
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to perform within deadlines.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
- Knowledge and understanding of the building systems.
- Familiarity with building processes and codes in the City of Chicago.
- Ability to read and interpret construction documents, including drawings and specifications.
- Knowledge of other building industry considerations such as environmental conditions, historical preservation, and sustainable and energy-efficient design.
- Knowledge of Architectural and Engineering Professional Services Contracts.
- Understanding of varied Project Delivery Methods and associated construction contracts.
- Demonstrated negotiation skills and ability to understand construction documents, and evaluate the appropriateness of estimates, bids, and cost proposals.
- Ability to hold consultants accountable and enforce the language of the contracts, including deliverables, schedule and budget.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with all project stakeholders, whether directly or indirectly involved.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop relationships with University clients and stakeholders at all levels.
- Must be able to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to handle ambiguity and exert informal authority.
- Ability to work independently and manage own workflow
- Guides to the design and construction of spaces and buildings. Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares monthly progress reports, and negotiates additional services and contractors change order requests.

Preferred Competencies

- Lead Performance & Flawless Execution
- Exhibit Business Acumen & Organizational Astuteness
- Ensure Decision Quality, Accountability & Drive Results
- Communicate Effectively & With Influence

Working Conditions

- Ability to physically enter and comfortably move through a construction site.
- Visually inspect work in progress including but not limited to traversing significantly uneven surfaces and climbing ladders.

Application Documents

- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (required)
- List of references (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Facilities Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
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FLSA Status
Exempt
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Pay Range
$115,600.00 - $136,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.   A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.   Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:  http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.