Senior Project Manager - US

Job Description

The Senior Project Manager – Capital Projects supports schools across North America in delivering high-quality capital projects including new campuses, expansions, and major renovations. The role manages projects from initial feasibility through design, procurement, construction, and operational handover.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of capital projects from initial feasibility through construction completion.
• Develop project briefs, feasibility studies, budgets, and delivery strategies.
• Procure architects, engineers, consultants, and general contractors through structured tender processes.
• Ensure operational needs (safeguarding, security, health & safety) are integrated into builds.
• Evaluate bids and recommend award decisions based on cost, capability, and quality.
• Manage the design development process ensuring alignment with educational and operational requirements.
• Oversee construction delivery including schedule monitoring, cost management, and quality assurance.
• Review and interrogate contractor bids, construction budgets, and change orders.
• Lead value engineering on any redesigns to improve deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with local permitting requirements and regulatory standards.
• Establish rigorous project governance and reporting structures across projects.
• Coordinate with school leadership and operations teams to define FF&E requirements.
• Coordinate with safeguarding, security, health & safety teams to ensure specific requirements are captured in consolidated construction and FF&E designs.
• Integrate school-specific FF&E vendors with the construction program to ensure coordinated delivery.
• Ensure completed facilities are fully operational and aligned with academic programming.
• Support the Principal as appropriate with early activities such as marketing and events.
• Conduct post-project reviews assessing cost, quality, and schedule performance.
• Develop standardized project delivery frameworks and guidelines for schools.
• Implement consistent processes across the region to improve efficiency and project outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with school leadership, operations teams, and regional departments including legal, finance, and health & safety.
• Build strong relationships with consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Provide advisory support to schools undertaking renovation or expansion projects.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline (required).
• Professional architectural registration or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of project management experience in large-scale institutional or commercial construction.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from concept through completion.
• Strong experience procuring architects, consultants, and contractors through structured tender processes.
• Experience managing capital budgets, IT platforms and construction delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong analytical and report-writing capabilities.
• Willingness to travel across North America (30–50%).
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• High integrity and strong professional judgment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Team player with astute executive maturity.
• Affinity with the education sector.