Senior Project Manager

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Summary

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating all necessary project resources and documentation throughout the entire project lifecycle. This includes meeting with the Campus stakeholders to finalize planning, programming, budget, ensuring the enforcement of Smith's strategies and Building Standards. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing all pre-construction activities with the Town, architects, designers and stakeholders including the maintenance of budget schedule and the management and administration of all contractual requirements for all consultants associated with the projects. This position manages construction as well as project closeout. This individual has knowledge of construction financials, understands and manages risk as well as review of contractors general work for performance and quality. This individual is responsible for the overall team progress against the project plan through consistent communication and collaboration with all team members. Projects will include large multi-year capital efforts, including innovative geothermal, district energy, and sustainability initiatives to decarbonize our built environment, requiring support from multiple contractors and consultants, and input from regulatory bodies. Multiple small projects may also be assigned. Work may be wide-ranging and may include any variety of campus space use, such as academic, residence, science laboratory, athletic, performing arts, site/grounds, utilities, infrastructure, or other.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Project Management: (70%)

For larger projects, all of the following duties may be assigned; however, at any given time, incumbent will be assigned a number of smaller projects that will include only a subset of these duties.

Planning: Manage project-specific planning efforts as assigned. Manage feasibility studies and other pre-planning efforts. Conduct the programming phase of capital projects as needed. Assist in the development of project budget and duration information.

Design: Manage the design phase of capital projects, including organizing and supervising the selection of architects and other consultants as assigned. Assist in the establishment of project budget and schedule. Obtain stakeholder input. Coordinate design meetings and activities as necessary. Manage value engineering and/or scope reduction activities to ensure budget compliance. Ensure design activities are completed within schedule. Ensure all regulatory requirements are met.

Construction: Perform construction phase management duties as necessary for the completion of construction on time and within budget. Duties include conducting meetings, construction observation, and performing a wide variety of problem resolution activities. Manage all contractors, consultants, and vendors associated with construction. Ensure quality control/assurance. Manage all construction change order activities, including negotiations and dispute resolution. Coordinate all construction activities with surrounding constraints imposed by campus, neighborhood, or city operations. Maintain updates to project budget and schedule.

Acceptance: Perform activities as necessary to ensure appropriate final project acceptance. Manage punchlist and contract compliance. Ensure receipt, acceptance, and turnover of complete project record and closeout deliverables. Ensure delivery of these materials to operations & maintenance staff. Ensure timely closeout of all contracts as appropriate. Perform post-occupancy assessment as assigned.

Program-wide Activities: (10%)

Perform duties as assigned that may affect the Capital Program and not be related to a specific project. This may include program-wide consulting studies, facility condition assessments, organization of documents and materials, development of building standards and design guidelines, or other. May include tasks associated with long-term planning related to specific systems and infrastructure.

Procurement: (10%)

Manage the selection and procurement of consultants, contractors, and vendors, ensuring maximum competition as appropriate. Perform administrative tasks related to the management of these contracts, such as writing scopes of work, evaluating proposals, negotiating fees, establishing clarifications, paying invoices, implementing corrective action, or any other contract management activities that may be necessary for the successful fulfillment of services.

Other Functions

Communications/Collaboration: (10%)

Perform frequent and robust communications related to project activities. Utilize a variety of communications tools and methods to ensure full distribution of information. Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders as necessary to ensure a cooperative and positive project experience for all parties to the greatest extent possible.

For any of the above duties, work may be assigned to the Project Manager in whole or in part. Work may be performed collaboratively with other managers or with the Director of Capital Projects as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related discipline, a working knowledge of commercial MEP systems, and 8 years of project management experience in the design and construction industry or an equivalent combination of education/experience. Experience working as an Owner or Owner's representative preferred. Experience in higher education or similar institution is preferred.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Skills

Strong computer skills, including the ability to learn new software as necessary. Ability to fully utilize email, electronic calendars, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, E-Builder, ProCore and other project management software. Working knowledge of architecture, engineering, and building systems. Strong knowledge of construction project delivery methods. Ability to develop basic design and construction schedule information. Ability to evaluate and analyze detailed critical path management construction schedules. Strong financial and contract management skills. Familiarity with establishment of total project budgets. Ability to negotiate. Readily accept and execute unplanned project assignments as needed. Detail-oriented. Excellent time management skills and ability to deliver work on assigned schedules. Demonstrated ability to access any portion of a construction/facility site including climbing ladders to assess conditions and perform inspections of existing facilities. Skilled in communicating construction information to a diverse set of constituencies in a collegial environment.

Must demonstrate integrity and sound judgment, leadership and communication skills. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to act decisively and independently to resolve complex issues. Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, city officials, other government agencies, and the general public.

Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.