Senior Project Manager

About the role

The Senior Project Manager leads capital improvement projects at Denison University, from concept development through occupancy and closeout. This role involves managing a diverse portfolio of projects, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring projects align with institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead university capital improvement projects including major renovations, building renewals, infrastructure improvements, and new construction projects from concept development through occupancy and closeout.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, procurement strategies, and design/construction documents in collaboration with campus stakeholders, consultants, and contractors.
• Develop, review, and negotiate project-related contracts and service agreements including professional design services, construction management agreements, and contractor proposals to ensure alignment with institutional standards, scope, budget, and risk management objectives.
• Manage project programming and engage campus stakeholders to align customer needs with long-term institutional priorities, campus standards, and operational requirements.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across the campus community throughout the planning, design, and construction process to ensure transparency, minimize disruption, and support successful project outcomes.
• Cook up and oversee architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, code officials, and consultants during design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings and specifications to ensure constructability, code compliance, maintainability, life-cycle value, and alignment with university standards.
• Maintain project budgets, schedules, contracts, change orders, and contingencies to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
• Provide on-site project oversight, inspect project progress, communicate issues to stakeholders, and ensure quality standards are maintained throughout construction.
• Oversee building acceptance, commissioning, and closeout processes, ensuring project documentation, as-built drawings, warranties, and operational materials are complete and properly archived.
• Develop, maintain, and improve institutional project standards, construction documentation practices, and project delivery methods.
• Provide supervisory oversight and leadership to project management staff, coordinating workload, supporting professional development, and ensuring effective project execution.
• Support long-range campus planning efforts, deferred maintenance planning, and capital renewal strategies in coordination with Facilities Services leadership.
• Assist Facilities Services in day-to-day operational support related to building systems, infrastructure troubleshooting, facility assessments, and corrective action planning.

Requirements

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management, capital planning, facilities planning, architecture, engineering, or related institutional project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial, institutional, industrial, or higher education construction projects from planning and design through construction and closeout.
• Experience developing and managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, and procurement processes.

Qualifications

• A relevant bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related field.
• Advanced degree, Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), Registered Architect (R.A.), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Experience in higher education, campus environments, or similarly complex institutional settings.
• Supervisory or leadership experience managing project teams, staff, contractors, or consultants.
• Experience with deferred maintenance planning, capital renewal strategies, and long-range institutional planning.

Benefits

Denison University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 10% contribution to your retirement
• 22 vacation days
• 3 floating holidays
• Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years
• Free parking and gym membership
• Free classes for employees
• Full tuition coverage for dependents

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible work schedule.

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.