UW-Managed Program Director

Job Duties

The UW-Managed Program Director directs, administers, and manages the UW-Managed program that delivers design and construction projects within the authority of the BOR, but outside of the governor’s biennial state funding program. This role provides oversight and direction including awarding projects to external vendors, planning and scheduling of projects, project delivery design, allocating resources, and construction support. In addition, this role serves as the signatory for project contractual documents in the program.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Program & Portfolio Leadership

  • Establish governance, stage-gate approvals, and standardized project controls across the portfolio.
  • Lead portfolio reviews: budget status, risks, cash flow, schedule health, and change trends.
  • Provide program and project reporting to UWs leadership and BOR

• Project Delivery & Execution

  • Oversee full project delivery life cycle: feasibility, programming, schematic design, development, construction documents, procurement, construction administration, commissioning, and turnover.
  • Select and optimize delivery methods (Hard bid within single prime contracting and design build) based on risk, speed, complexity, market conditions, stakeholder needs, and statute.
  • Approve project baselines (scope, schedule, budget) and manage escalations, changes, and claims.
  • Champion safety, quality assurance/quality control, and commissioning standards

• Contracting, Procurement & Vendor Management

  • Oversee procurement strategies in alignment with institutional procurement policy, Universities of Wisconsin procurement, and applicable state procurement statutes.
  • Drive contractor performance through KPIs, governance, and issue resolution; manage disputes and claims.

• Financial & Risk Management

  • Manage project and program budgets, contingencies, allowances, and forecasting (including escalation).
  • Provide continuous improvement of change management and cost/schedule/program control processes; ensure transparent reporting.
  • Identify, quantify, and mitigate risks (schedule, scope, funding, permitting, supply chain, market).
  • Coordinate with Finance on capital funding sources, cashflow, and audits

• Stakeholder & Team Leadership

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing internal team (PMs, CMs, analysts).
  • Serve as the primary liaison to senior leadership, internal departments, end users, and external agencies for the program.
  • Promote a collaborative culture with architects, engineers, and contractors.
  • Communicate clearly to non-technical stakeholders; provide executive-level briefings and board materials

• Compliance, Sustainability & Standards

  • Ensure compliance with building codes, permitting, life safety, accessibility (ADA), OSHA, environmental and infection control (healthcare), and institutional design standards.
  • Integrate sustainability (LEED/WELL/Net Zero/energy codes), resiliency, and universal design goals.
  • Oversee accurate close-out, as-built documentation, and warranty handoff to Facilities Operations Department

Compensation

The UW-Managed Program Assistant Director (Official Job Title: Design and Construction Project Delivery Director (Inst)) is a full-time, limited, exempt position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $118,000 - $133,000 commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of project management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership managing multiple complex projects in institutional environments e.g., higher education, public sector, or complex larger organizations).
• Experience operating in occupied and mission-critical facilities with rigorous safety and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with Risk Management & Negotiation (claims avoidance and resolution).

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional credentials: PMP, CCM, RA (Registered Architect) or PE (Professional Engineer), and/or LEED AP.
• Experience with eBuilder, Procore, PMWeb (or similar), Primavera P6 / MS Project, and familiarity with BIM (Revit).
• Experience delivering large capital projects ($50M–$500M+ portfolio preferred).
• Public sector procurement experience.
• Higher Ed/Labs: experience with EH&S, AAALAC, BSL, vivarium/lab environments.