Director of Construction Management

Job Description:

Unit-specific Responsibilities
1) Provide construction program management direction, leadership and oversight for selection process that maximizes quality and controls costs of consultants and contracts, support of project objectives, and responsible for best practices for project delivery methods applied to capital projects. 
2) Provide management direction, leadership and oversight for project management services to University departments to achieve construction projects that are on schedule, within budget, high quality, cost-effective and appropriate to client program needs. 
3) Responsible for delivery of projects within budget, on schedule, and in adherence with University guidelines, standards of excellence, quality and requirements of management resources. Ensure that project managers provide full range of project management services. Resolve issues and/or disputes as required. Apply departmental project control processes for consistency, to mitigate risks, and to assure compliance with policies, rules and regulations as well as all applicable authorities having jurisdiction.
4) Report regularly on status of projects, including budget, schedule, and coordination issues to Executive Director, Capital Project Delivery, to project Steering Committees, and as required to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services, and/or other University leadership members. Facilitate timely decisions with 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.
5) Supervise the assigned project management staff and manage their day-to-day and efforts. Develop project managers by identifying skills gaps, ensuring the availability of appropriate training, providing coaching and guidance, conducting the annual performance appraisal process, and proactively addressing performance issues. 
6) Support the capital budgeting process by ensuring that appropriate procedures are followed to deliver high-quality accurate project and construction cost estimates for all projects. Review programming process with emphasis on building infrastructure requirements, utilities, mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems.
7) Work to meet or exceed University goals for hiring minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE).
8) Coordination with Facilities Services units to assure integrated delivery of facilities services.
9) Develop and maintain productive relationships with the Facilities Services Management Team including working effectively with peers to meet the overall objectives of the unit and encouraging an atmosphere of teamwork within and between units to maximize collaboration and leverage the value that can be brought to projects by all Facilities Services units. Participate in setting and executing the Facilities Services strategic mission, priorities and resource allocation to maximize client satisfaction.
10) Ensure that internal and external clients are educated about the project management process and represent Capital Project Delivery / FS on applicable committees. 
11) Assist in achieving the department's yearly financial objectives through planning, directing, controlling, implementing, evaluating, monitoring, and forecasting as needed to achieve budgets. 
12) Develop and ensure the regular tracking of appropriate performance measurements to support continuous improvement in Capital Project Delivery / FS unit. 
13) Ensure the maintainability and low life-cycle cost of projects by including operations and maintenance staff in the project team, and managing the implementation of the commissioning and turnover plan. Responsible for project close-out including punch list completion and occupant move in. 
14) Perform additional duties.

Unit-preferred Competencies
1) Strategic Vision
2) Performance and Execution
3) Decision Quality and Accountability
4) High Performing team
5) Communications

Preferred Qualifications
Education
1) Bachelorâ™s degree or related degree in construction management, architecture, engineering or related field.
2) Masterâ™s degree. 

Experience
1) Minimum fifteen years of experience in construction industry, with a minimum of 8 year working for a contractor. 
2) Demonstrated experience leading and being responsible for a $250m program of building construction and the associated decision making required for the execution of the work.
3) Demonstrated experience in communicating and presenting at an executive level for an assigned program of work.
4) Specific experience in the field, contract administration, negotiations with contractors, construction sequencing and logistics, value engineering, and other project management -related duties and activities.
5) Demonstrated experience in construction contract administration, claims, contract negotiation, arbitration, and mediation.
6) Experience in a University and/or academic medical center.
7) Demonstrated ability to provide construction management direction and leadership on behalf of an owner.
8) Familiarity with building processes and codes in a variety of settings, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the development of innovative solutions to problems in the construction process.
9) Detailed understanding of building systems, construction practices, contracting procedures, building methodologies and code requirements.
10) Demonstrated ability to manage successfully, from the Ownerâ™s perspective, the construction process for large program of complex building within demanding time and cost constraints.
11) Demonstrated negotiation skills in a management role for high-profile projects with active senior management involvement.
12) Demonstrated ability to successfully manage construction budget for large program of work. 
13) Demonstrated ability to effectively and successfully manage preconstruction and construction project schedules within planned time frames.
14) Comprehensive understanding of the delivery of a large program of building construction gained through documented education and/or experience.
15) Demonstrated ability to represent and present project to organizational executive leadership.

Licenses 
1) Professional License.

Technical Knowledge
1) Ability to direct the work of professionals.
2) Demonstrated leadership, management, and organizational skills.
3) Demonstrated ability to manage construction of large, complex facilities, specifically the ability to manage project budgets and schedules in construction.
4) Ability to work independently with general guidance and direction from Director.
5) Strong budget and financial management.
6) 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.
7) Demonstrated ability to work with consultants to integrate the detailed functional requirements of departmental user groups with the broader scope project goals of a complex institutional organization.
8) Demonstrated ability to manage large teams in preconstruction, construction and closeout, responsible for coordination, and lead preconstruction thru construction.
9) The ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment of changing priorities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
1) Ability to inspect architectural plans, keyboarding, bending, stooping to reach files, light lifting, standing.  
2) Some travel may be required.  For project managers assigned to international projects, frequent overseas travel for periods up to 2 weeks may be required. A valid US passport (or ability to obtain one) is required for these assignments.
3) Ability to physically enter a construction site (climb a ladder) and visually inspect work in progress. 

Required Documents
1) Resume
2) Cover letter
3) List of references

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

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

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