Senior Project Manager, CPD

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Department OPS Facilities CPD Management About the Department Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago 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 Reporting to the Director of Construction Management, Director of Design and Project Management, or Assistant Director of Project Management, the Facilities Services Capital Project Delivery (CPD) Senior Project Manager is responsible for providing professional project management and leadership on important capital projects for the University. Responsibilities Works with limited guidance to manage the planning, design, and execution of major capital projects by providing project leadership, communication, coordination & conflict resolution to ensure project goals are met and client relationships are maintained. Manage a project portfolio that could range from a single large complex project to a program of smaller projects for university unit(s). Support Facilities Services and other University departments and units in pre-project planning activities, including annual capital improvement plans including assessments, programming/scope development, budget and schedule preparation, and identification of submittals & approval processes. Manage projects from initiation through final project construction completion and closeout. Manage and be responsible for project budget, schedule, and procurement processes, including but not limited to design and construction services. Drive progress of consultants to achieve expected functionality and qualitative and quantitative aspects of the design. Recommend alternatives to keep the project on schedule and within budget and consider upfront costs versus long range maintenance requirements. Facilitate timely decisions, consulting with CPD leadership and campus representatives, to report progress and issues impacting the project goals to stakeholders. Take responsibility for timely and comprehensive communications with all project stakeholders and the larger University community. Ensure timely review of contract documents throughout all phases of the project, including building code compliance and accessibility reviews to avoid delays to the project. Ensure that stakeholder comments are provided, documented and are responded to, and that resolutions of the comments are incorporated into the projects. Facilitate Departmental and University approvals at each design milestone and as required during construction. Advocate with integrity for the University in contract negotiations. Review and approve design and construction contracts, changes, technical service contracts, GMP submittals, bid documents, pay applications, in accordance with University policies. Apply departmental project control processes and systems for consistency, to mitigate risks, and to assure compliance with policies, rules, and regulations as well as all applicable authorities having jurisdiction. Primary project liaison with campus, facility user groups, operations, and administration throughout a project to ensure timely input, manage expectations, resolve conflicts and facilitate decisions, deliver project on time and within budget and meet or exceed the programmatic and client goals for the project. Senior Project Managers are considered lead managers, in that they will be expected to set a positive example, provide technical support and mentorship to other Project Managers and/or Assistant Project Managers in addition to managing their own projects. Senior Project Managers will be expected to lead and /or contribute to various CPD program processes, process improvements, and initiatives on an ongoing and as needed basis. Continually communicate between the Capital Project Delivery Leadership team, the staff of Facilities Services including Operations and Maintenance, Finance and Business Services, and Campus Planning and Sustainability. Additionally coordinate with other University and departmental stakeholders to ensure a common understanding of objectives, resources, and priorities. Ensure client satisfaction by quality work and communication. Ensure that the project’s program objectives are met by: Encouraging strong user group involvement. Testing of consistency and compatibility of design to end-user needs. Developing prioritization of scope and design elements. Documenting and defining clear goals and defining the roles and responsibilities of the Project Team (including consultants and members of the University). Ensuring communication through all stakeholders using feedback and direction. Ensuring that the project’s design objectives and its integration with university’s standards are met by reviewing design documents for clarity, completeness, coordination of discipline and constructability for use by internal and external parties. Coordinating the design and construction of spaces and buildings with the University Architect. Development of RFPs for professional consultants, including the A/E, testing agencies, commissioning, site surveying, vendors, general contractors and construction managers and evaluation of their proposals and selection in conjunction with leadership. Coordinate with Procurement and Legal Departments and CPD leadership in the preparation & negotiation of contracts. Develop and maintain master project schedules. Works independently to manage project planning process, defining the roles and responsibilities for the whole project team. Responsible for managing and maintaining project budget: Design Review. Specification Review. Soliciting or preparing construction cost estimates. Value engineering. Reconciling construction costs estimates. Review of contractor’s bids. Review and negotiate all additional services requests. Review and approve A/E and consultant pay applications. Prepare and review itemized breakdowns of additional project costs. Review and recommend contractors schedule of values. Review programming process with inclusive of building infrastructure requirements, utilities, mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems. Facilitate and perform target value design during design and construction phases. Review plans and qualifications prepared by the Architect and Engineers for completeness, constructability, coordination of discipline, adherence to all University guidelines, quality, and regulatory agency requirements. Responsible for management of the permit process. Coordinate logistics and support plans (e.g., traffic, staging areas, parking). Ensure the maintainability and low life-cycle cost of projects by including operations and maintenance staff in the project team and developing a commissioning and turnover plan. Responsible for management of the construction process including: Kick off Meeting to establish expectations. Weekly owner’s meetings. Establishing and reviewing of project documentation. Oversee and/or prepare monthly progress reports. Review and approve contractor pay applications. Review, negotiate, and approve change orders. Maintain quality assurance program. Review and approve contractor pay applications. Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares weekly progress updates, and negotiates all additional services and contractors change order requests. Responsible for project close-out including: Managing the punch list. Submittal of warranties / guarantees. Substantial completion. Systems training. Certificate of occupancy. Record documents. Contractor final pay application. Manage University move-in process. Works independently to manage project planning process, including facilitating and performing value engineering, soliciting or preparing construction cost estimates, and coordinating selection of vendors and contractors. Develops the master project schedule, defining the roles and responsibilities for the whole project team. Leads the design and construction of spaces and buildings. Establishes and reviews project documentation, prepares monthly progress reports, and negotiates all additional services and contractors change order requests. 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 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree or related degree in architecture, construction engineering, architectural engineering, or a construction related field. Professional License. Experience: Ten years experience with project development for building design and construction/construction administration. Comprehensive understanding of project delivery methods gained through education and experience. Depth of understanding of design documentation and technical aspects of project development required at major milestones, including drawings and specifications, building systems coordination, and basic knowledge of building and accessibility codes. Experienced with a range of project types including renovation and new construction. Familiarity with permit processes. Experience with construction practices and contracting procedures, for general contractors, construction managers and design build teams. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets during planning, design and construction. Experience with review of construction costs estimates, bids, Guaranteed Maximum Pricing, and value engineering. Demonstrated ability to manage preconstruction and construction project schedules. Demonstrated knowledge of contracts and managing projects to contract terms. Demonstrated oral and written communication skills appropriate to managing the flow of information in support of decision making at the highest management levels of a complex institutional organization. Preferred Competencies Experience with higher education or related institutional, lab or research facilities. Experience with large programs of work and demonstrated ability to manage successfully, from the Owner’s perspective. Ability to apply prior experience to the development of innovative solutions to problems in the design and construction process for individual projects and identify applications for the Capital Project Delivery Program. Experience with the design and construction process for large, complex, building programs within demanding time and cost constraints. Demonstrated negotiation skills in a management role for high-profile projects with active senior management involvement. Demonstrated ability to manage large teams during programming, design, permitting, construction, and closeout, responsible for coordination. Strong supervision and management skills, with recognized ability to independently follow-up on project requirements and gain consensus from project stakeholders in a timely manner. Strong budget and financial management. Knowledgeable with forecasting and cash flows. Must be proactive and detail oriented. Demonstrated ability to work with consultants for the timely completion of milestones, integrating the functional requirements of departmental user groups with the broader scope project goals of a complex institutional organization. Ability to perform multiple tasks on simultaneous projects and meet deadlines. Familiarity with eBuilder, Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Bluebeam. Customer service oriented and ability to work well under pressure. Working Conditions Ability to inspect architectural plans, keyboarding, bending, stooping to reach files, light lifting, standing. Ability to physically enter a construction site (climb a ladder) and visually inspect work in progress. Some travel may be required. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover Letter (required) List of 3 References (required) Portfolio of 5 Projects showing range of experience (preferred) 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 ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $9,510.44 - $11,132.50 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.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Skokie , Senior Project Manager, CPD, Engineering , Chicago, Illinois