Sr. Facilities Project Manager

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, .

The IRD for this job is: 06-01-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department oversees operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry out the duties necessary for campus development and operation.

More information can be found at:

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Project Manager operates independently as a project management professional in the planning, design, construction, and commissioning phases of medium-scale to large-scale non-capital and capital construction projects. The incumbent helps improve the design and performance of physical infrastructure and building engineering systems. Assigned projects may be new construction or alterations, including work inside buildings, site work, and exterior utilities, and are often complex and impactful. Project scopes include architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and landscape, and typically run from project inception through completion. The Senior Project Manager oversees 1) the conceptual phase of engineering studies, defining initial scope and budget, setting design criteria, obtaining project approvals; 2) the design phase of managing the A&E design consultants, coordinating stakeholder input, design reviews, compiling bid documents, budget reconciliation, value engineering, and obtaining final approvals; and 3) the construction phase of soliciting bids, awarding contracts, schedule management, submittal review, project meetings, utility shutdown coordination, inspections, progress reports, payment review, change order negotiations, budget management, start-up, commissioning, and contract closeout, including warranty work. The Senior Project Manager exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and oversees, supervises, or provides guidance to other facilities project managers as needed. Job emphasis is on delivering projects that meet the functional design requirements, are reliable, easily maintained, energy efficient, sustainable, have low visual impact, and have a long operating life. Turnover of fully functioning systems to campus operation personnel (Physical Plant Services) is a high priority.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $140,000 - $150,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000364 (FAC PROJECT MGT SPEC 4) - Grade 24

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

25% - Project Management

• Bids or negotiates construction contracts.
• Reviews and oversees construction activities, including contractor schedule, RFIs, submittals, change order requests, and punch list.
• Specializes in and focuses on monitoring construction milestones and critical path activities.

20% - Design Development

• Hires architectural, engineering, and consultant firms to develop project requirement definitions, design criteria, and prepare layouts and detail drawings.
• Provides leadership, expertise, direction, and oversight of the architects and engineers.
• Prepares and approves cost estimates and functional studies, establishes project schedule and budget, and reviews with clients.
• Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Develops criteria and performance specifications required to meet unique operating requirements and building and safety codes.
• Ensures plans and specifications conform to all building codes, University, and the Office of the President requirements and regulations.
• Drives a University vehicle with Clients and Vendors around campus to visit job sites.

10% - Programming

• Oversees the project program, including meeting with clients to help define both project scope and program.

10% - Planning

• Formally establishes project plan, including working with other units, departments, and the Office of the President (i.e., SMCP, Budget Office, and other Capital Project units) to facilitate this effort and ensure funding transfers.

10% - Conflict Resolution

• Acts as a liaison among project participants and resolves problems or conflicts, including recommending a range of solutions to disputed issues or contractor claims.

10% - Supervision

• Oversees and directs other project managers and analysts.

5% - Closeout

• Ensures project is properly closed out, and Operations and Maintenance Manuals and record drawings are turned over to Physical Plant Services.
• Ensures training is provided for campus stakeholders.

5% - Reporting

• Creates a project schedule and budget in project management software, including systematic reporting and updating of project status as required by the University, regulatory agencies, and the Office of the President, which may include monthly written reporting and KPIs.

5% - Organizational Activities

• Performs organizational, departmental, and administrative activities not directly relating to projects, including serving on committees representing the department or PPDO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced working knowledge of building and construction practices, design, construction contract administration, and California Building Codes, including a full understanding of industry standards.
• Ability to administer a construction project through all phases of construction, including contract document assembly, budgetary estimating, obtaining approvals, bidding, addendums, contract award, submittals, scheduling, progress meetings, contract compliance, change order negotiations, commissioning, punch-list, contract closeout, and enforcement of warranty period.
• Advanced project management skills, including skills to manage complex projects.
• Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants while maintaining compliance with the agreed-upon scope of work and budget.
• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management.
• Demonstrated technical familiarity with at least five building systems or project disciplines, including Architectural, Civil, Building Envelope, Landscape, Hardscape, HVAC, Process/Hydronic Piping, BMS, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Fire Alarm, Electrical, Lighting, Elevators, Life Safety, Site Work, and Underground Utilities.
  Proven analytical, organizational, and advanced problem-solving abilities to resolve complex issues, frequently without precedent or structure.
• Comprehensive written communication skills.
• Comprehensive verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including highly developed political acumen.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and understandably to a non-technical audience.
• Functions with a high level of autonomy and a minimum of supervision.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of software programs including, but not limited to, MS Office, MS Project, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and database systems (FAMIS, Tririga, Filemaker, or equivalent).
• Significant work experience requiring team and consensus building, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports and correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively with project stakeholders and be responsive to their needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid California Professional Engineering (PE) license
• LEED AP or Green Associate
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Knowledge of the University infrastructure and short and long-range strategic building plans.
• Familiarity with public works contract law and statutes.
• Minimum five years of experience leading or directly managing Project Managers, Architects, and Engineers to implement project ma