Project Manager

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

About the role

Harvard Capital Projects (HCP) is an internal resource for the Harvard community providing project management services across the entire campus. HCP works collaboratively with a variety of Harvard Schools and Departments, delivering project management services for campus renewal, campus growth, development, and undergraduate house renewal projects. HCP prides itself on being a center of excellence for capital project delivery.

The Project Manager reports to the Associate Director for Campus Growth and Redevelopment and will manage scope within a large project team or independent projects primarily focused on architecture and design, including new construction, full/partial renovations, additions, and interiors. The project manager may also manage tenant fit outs for both academic and commercial use.

Responsibilities

• Works independently to manage core project activities: budget, scope, and schedule with demonstrated prior experience in project administration and contract negotiation.
• Reviews, organizes, and analyzes data to make strategic decisions on core project activities for review with Senior Project Manager or Associate Director.
• Manages design and consultant teams effectively.
• Manages internal Harvard Campus Services stakeholders and processes.
• Applies knowledge of professional project management, architecture, engineering, or construction management skills and best practices for design and construction across various project types and stakeholders.
• Manages and implements core project requirements in alignment with department and university mission.
• Prepares initial drafts of project scope, budget, and schedules; accountable for clearly defined activities with some complexity.
• Reviews design concepts, tracks submittals, and provides day-to-day direction to the project team with assistance from Senior Project Manager or Associate Director.
• Identifies issues, potential risks, gathers facts, and finds successful solutions to problems.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action or innovation.
• Leads the project team from design, permitting approvals, to construction and closeout.
• Manages the project delivery process through all project phases and facilitates communication during transitions.
• Develops and maintains project schedules and budgets in collaboration with HCP leadership.
• Participates in owner’s construction meetings to review construction progress and quality.
• Monitors, systematizes, recommends, and reports on all change proposals and their impact on project schedules and budgets.
• Manages project quality control through design teams, independent testing firms, commissioning authorities, and other resources as necessary.
• Manages the submittal review process to ensure expeditious processing.
• Observes all on-site tests required by contract documents and coordinates testing activities.
• Reviews contractor’s record drawings and reports any failures to maintain records.
• Manages a timely and orderly project closeout process.
• Works with consultants and operations personnel to prepare and address punch-lists.
• Reviews and recommends project invoices for payment.
• Prepares and updates project cash flow projections and provides budget updates.
• Guides design decisions to maintain project scope within the approved budget.
• Coordinates and participates in the value engineering process.
• Negotiates design and construction contracts and change orders with Senior Project Manager or Associate Director.
• Coordinates submissions to jurisdictional authorities for permitting with the project team.
• Ensures compliance with regulations and all authorities having jurisdiction.
• Arranges for all jurisdictional authorities’ inspections necessary to secure final project approvals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of architectural, engineering, construction, or project management experience. Architectural experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrates understanding of the role and responsibility of a capital project manager for the client and stakeholders in alignment with the larger university mission.

Qualifications

• Registered Licensed Architect is a plus or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date.
• Strong organization, graphic, and presentation skills.
• Experience with furniture selection and procurement, and high-performance sustainability standards (e.g., Living Building Challenge Core) is preferred.
• Ability to gain cooperation, build consensus, and conduct presentations of technical and/or design information.
• Awareness of and aptitude for emotional/social intelligence in managing team members, information, supervisors, and stakeholders.
• Clear communication skills with an understanding of up-management and escalation of issues.
• Ability to thrive within a team structure and work with diverse constituencies.
• Familiarity with design and construction processes.
• Familiarity with City, State, and Federal processes, codes, and/or ordinances.
• Ability to develop and maintain project budgets, cash flow projections, and schedules.
• Skills in interpreting architectural and construction contracts.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve confrontational issues.
• Commitment to diversity and serving the needs of a diverse organization.
• Experience with design and construction of buildings with exemplary sustainability performance.

Schedule

40 hours per week.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.