Project Manager

Date posted: 3/28/2012

Company information
Company: Northwestern University
See Northwestern University website for further information and web application under Job Opening ID # 17999: www.northwestern.edu/hr
Location: Evanston, IL

Description
Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Director of Facilities Management Design & Construction, the Project Manager will be responsible for managing the programming, design and construction of University construction projects located in both Chicago and Evanston campuses. As a Project Manager the primary responsibility will be to provide comprehensive project management to a large complex project, or to multiple projects. This individual is highly skilled in all aspects of project management services and is expected to be able to lead a project of any size and complexity.

Specific Responsibilities:

Facilitate the gathering of program information from faculty, staff, facilities personnel, and University management staff to develop the program requirements for University projects;

Prepare formal Requests for Proposals for architectural and engineering services;

Manage the solicitation and selection of professional consultants, architects and engineers through the assigned university committees;

Prepare and negotiate consultant agreements;

Manage all payments and monitor project progress and budgets;

Manage the work of consultant architects and engineers in translating the user requirements for University projects into architectural and engineering design;

Lead design meetings with University users, architects, and engineers;

Set or assist in the development of University construction project budgets and manage those budgets to assure that all projects are designed and completed within budget;

Set or assist in the development of University construction project schedules and manage the project to assure that all projects are designed and completed on schedule;

Review architectural and engineering drawings at various stages of design (schematic design, design development and construction documents) to assure that University functional and technical programmatic requirements and standards are met;

Coordinate purchase of equipment and furnishings for University construction projects to ensure that correct products are purchased on a timely basis in order to meet project schedules;

Communicate verbally and in written form concepts of projects and project progress to various constituent groups, including University senior management, department managers, staff and faculty;

Make presentation at staff and faculty meetings regarding projects;

Work closely with University departments to develop construction-phasing plans to assure that construction projects will not adversely impact departmental operations;

Serve as liaison between University departments and the contractor to assure that the impact of the contractor's activities on departmental operations are minimized;

Work closely and coordinate with Facilities Management Operations and Facilities Management Planning staff;

Coordinate with staff from University Information Technology, Risk Management, University Police, Office of Research Safety and other departments as appropriate;

Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated, increased responsibility in providing leadership for a capital design and construction program including construction contract administration;

Significant experience in a higher education environment;

Demonstrated experience in the preparation of comprehensive project budgets and extensive knowledge of project financial monitoring, tracking and reporting;

Experience in professional consultant contract administration including architects, engineers, planners and other specialty consultants;

Experience in leading projects through the regulatory approval process including the local building departments, building inspectors, fire marshals and other authorities having jurisdiction as well as coordination of project close-out;

Experience in the selection of contractors and/or construction management firms, contract negotiations and construction oversight responsibilities;

Undergraduate degree in architecture, engineering or a construction-related program;

Masters level degree is highly desirable;

Excellent presentation and communication skills to university faculty, staff and administrators;

Ability to provide clear direction to professional consultants and construction personnel;

Team building proficiency;

Ability to prioritize tasks and multiple responsibilities in order to provide a high level of client service;

Ability to produce concise, well written status reports for delivery to the executive leadership;

Working knowledge of Building Codes, Life Safety Codes & ADA standards;

Proficiency in Microsoft products including Word, Xcel, and Microsoft Project;

Equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.

Contact
This is the person to whom resumes should be sent:

Northwestern Human Resources