Project Manager

Department

Job Family

Vassar College is deeply committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees by promoting an environment of transparency and respect for differences. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds who meet the qualifications of a posting. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact careers@vassar.edu.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for leading teams to deliver capital construction, renovation and maintenance projects while providing safe, functional facilities for students, faculty and staff in support of Vassar’s mission. The position manages the complete project life cycle of initiation, planning, design, construction and close-out while ensuring compliance with applicable standards and budget constraints. 

The role also contributes to campus-wide asset improvements and preservation planning, implements best practices in project delivery and supports strategic decisions through hands-on project execution. 

The Project Manager establishes project budgets and schedules and serves as the day-to-day authority for assigned projects, ensuring all deliverables meet the required standards of quality, safety and customer satisfaction. 

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of capital construction, renovations and maintenance projects, ensuring delivery within established scope, budget and schedule. 

• Provide on-site leadership for project teams by building accountability, motivating team members and driving progress toward project milestones.

• Lead all phases of the project life-cycle, managing budgets, schedules, trade coordination and vendor relationships.

• Develop and deliver regular project status reports addressing  milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks and issues; communicate project health clearly and proactively across all levels of leadership. 

• Participate in the preparation and review of Requests for Proposals (RFP’s)for feasibility studies, consultant selection and contractor procurement; facilitate evaluation by appropriate key stakeholders.

• Serve as the primary liaison to town agencies such as building departments, Department of Transportation, zoning and planning board on matters related to permitting and regulatory compliance. 

• Coordinate and communicate project impacts, including but not limited to schedule, relocation and access requirements, to the campus community, academic departments, Residential Life and other impacted stakeholders. 

• Monitor, track and control outcomes to proactively resolve issues, conflicts, dependencies and critical path risks before delivery is impacted. 

• Continue professional development in order to stay current on  emerging technologies, methods and best practices.

• Establish and maintain project management practices, templates, policies, tools and workflows that strengthen consistency and mature the capabilities of the Project Management team. 

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum five (5) years of experience planning, managing  and tracking complex construction or facilities projects, with a demonstrated track record of on-time and on-budget delivery. 

• Experience developing budget proposals, managing project expenditures, and negotiating vendor and contractor contracts.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present complex project information clearly to project sponsors, stakeholders and senior leadership. 

• Strong experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Demonstrated ability to identify priorities, exercise sound judgement and adapt to competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to motivate and manage collaborative teams across internal departments and external partners.

• Proven ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships across a diverse campus community. 

• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license for at least two (2) years. 

• Ability to perform the physical requirement of the role, including site visits that may involve extended periods of standing, walking or working in active construction environments. 

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Prior experience in a higher education or similarly complex institutional environment. 

• In-depth knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, sustainability practices and construction standards. 

• Proficiency in Smartsheet, Project, Procore or similar platforms. 

• Familiarity with sustainable design practices.

• Knowledge of ADA compliance requirements and accessibility standards as they apply to historic and new facilities.

Compensation

The compensation for this position is $85,000 - $110,500 (USD) per year.

When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.