Senior Project Director Harvard University Cambridge

Job Description: • 2-minute read •
Reporting to the Vice President for Harvard Planning and Project Management (HPPM), the Senior Project Director (SPD) is responsible for leading and managing a business unit within HPPM to deliver project management services on a fee-for-service basis on a wide range of capital and deferred maintenance projects, from inception to occupancy and final close-out, on behalf of the University schools and Central Administration Departments. The SPD will supervise internal project management staff and out-sourced project management firm(s) to successfully deliver multiple projects concurrently according to best practices and University policies and procedures. The SPD shall be an experienced manager that provides guidance, direction, coaching and mentoring for employee development and must be able to lead through influence as well as authority.

Either directly or via supervision of the project management staff assigned to the projects, the SPD is responsible to manage the programming, design, construction and commissioning of multiple projects varying across type, size, location, and proponent/sponsor, including but not limited to: deferred maintenance projects, capital project renovations of existing facilities, new construction, and additions to existing buildings; total project costs ranging from $100K- to $200M+; locations at any Harvard University owned site including Longwood Medical Area, Cambridge, and Southborough; and proponents at any University school or Central Administration department. The SPD will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the project budget, schedule, and program, delivering outcomes that meet or exceed the established expectations and goals. The position requires close and effective coordination, cooperation, collaboration, and communication with the full range of University resources and departments that contribute to the process of planning and executing building projects.

Specific project related responsibilities include:

Serving as the point of contact between University client committees and external service providers,
Facilitating client committee meetings in order to help campus groups reach consensus,
Ensuring that client committees make timely and effective decisions,
Assembling and disseminating project information to stakeholders,
Communicating stakeholder preferences and decisions to external service providers, and documenting the process,
Keeping clients well-informed of the project status through regular meetings and reports,
Communicating issues affecting project program, budget, scope, timeline and delivery,
Managing external service providers, including architects, engineers, contractors and other vendors or consultants, for the duration of their engagements, including administering selection processes with stakeholder participation, negotiating contracts, and managing performance under the contract,
Conveying all project approvals to external service providers and coordinating the review of design documents and cost estimates at each phase of design,
Managing the procurement of construction services to ensure best value and timely delivery of facilities,
Ensuring compliance with construction safety and risk management policies and participating in construction meetings to review construction progress and quality,
Negotiating change orders and maintaining financial controls to accurately forecast project costs and manage the budget, ensuring that invoices are approved with appropriate authorization,
Establishing emergency procedures and administering the construction mitigation program for all construction sites,
Managing the construction and documentation process to ensure compliance with university policies,
Maintaining quality control systems, coordinating reviews of submittals to ensure expeditious processing, and ensuring proper inspections and testing are complete,
Managing timely project closeout activities.
Basic Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in a technical field (engineering or architecture) with a minimum of twenty years’ experience in capital project management is required, with demonstrated experience successfully managing a $100 mm+ project. Experience with a wide variety of facilities within higher education or large non-profit institutions is required. The SPD must have knowledge of design and construction processes and city, state, and federal codes and ordinances.

Additional Qualifications Advanced degree and professional registration as an Architect or Engineer is preferred. Ability to build and maintain relationships with directors of facilities, administrative deans, and others who are responsible for the planning and implementation of construction projects, developing memoranda of understanding with internal clients for appropriate resources and associated fees for such project management services. The SPD must have excellent organizational, communication, project management, multi-tasking skills and must be able to work in a complex organization with diverse stakeholders. The SPD must have a proven ability to develop and maintain project budgets and schedules; the ability to think through and resolve problems; knowledge of the critical path method scheduling and web-based project management applications. The SPD must have strong negotiation skills. Field experience on construction sites is preferred. Design and construction on LEED certified buildings is also preferred. The ability to conduct group meetings and find consensus among diverse stakeholders without experience in building design and construction is essential. Knowledge of MS office and other industry standard software applications is required. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, collaboration, a teamwork approach, problem solving, sense of urgency, attention to detail, effective time management, and follow-through are all essential.

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