Project Manager

Harvard Capital Projects (HCP) is an internal resource for the Harvard community providing project management services across the entire campus. HCP works collaboratively with a variety of Harvard Schools and Departments, providing project management services for a variety of campus renewal, campus growth, and development and undergraduate house renewal projects. HCP prides itself on being a center of excellence for capital project delivery. 

The Project Manager reports to the Associate Director for Campus Growth and Redevelopment and will be responsible for managing scope within a large project team or independent projects primarily focused on architecture and design, including new construction, full/partial renovations, additions, and interiors. . The project manager may also manage tenant fit outs for both academic and commercial use.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Project Management

• Works independently and successfully to manage, in whole or in part as assigned, core project activities: budget, scope, and schedule with demonstrated prior experience in project administration and contract negotiation.

• The individual should be able to review, organize, and analyze data to make strategic decisions on core project activities/assignments for review with Senior Project Manager or Associate Director.

• Effective management of design and consultant teams.

• Effective management of internal Harvard Campus Services stakeholders and processes.

• Established knowledge of professional project management, architecture, engineering, or construction management skills and best practices for design and construction across a variety of project types and/or stakeholders. Applies knowledge thoughtfully and strategically to manage/ implement core project requirements in alignment with department and university mission.     

• Nature of work is primarily independent on low complexity projects.

• Accountable for delivery of tasks operating within guidelines/policies. 

• Has established organization methods/tools for communication, tracking progress, and escalating issues to supervisor. 

• Prepares initial drafts of project scope, budget and schedules and is accountable for clearly defined activities with some complexity. 

• Reviews design concepts, tracks submittals, and provides day-to-day direction to project team with assistance from Senior Project Manager or Associate Director.

• Frequently works on issues requiring strategic thinking. 

• Identifies issues, potential risks, gathers facts and finds successful solutions to problems as they arise. 

• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action or innovation to implement core project requirements. 

• Works regularly with Senior Project Manager or Associate Director to review solutions and strategies to limit risk, communicate clearly, and improve core skill set with a goal of more independent management.  

• Participates as the lead of the project team from design, permitting approvals, to construction and closeout. 

• Manages the project delivery process through all project phases. 

• Facilitates communication throughout project, particularly during transition from one phase to the next. 

• Works with HCP leadership to develop and maintain project schedules and budgets for all projects.

• Participates in the owner’s construction meetings to review construction progress and quality. Monitors, systematizes, recommends, and reports on all change proposals and monitors impact on project schedules and budgets. 

• Manages project quality control through design team, independent testing firms, commissioning authorities and other resources, as necessary.  

• Manages submittal review process to ensure expeditious processing.

• Observes all on site tests required by the contract documents and coordinates testing activities by agents retained by the Owner. Observes and reviews the contractor’s record drawings and reports any apparent failure by the contractor to maintain records. 

• Manages a timely and orderly project closeout processes. Works with consultants and operations personnel to prepare a punch-list for the contractor and ensure punch-list items have been addressed appropriately.

Financial Management

• Reviews and recommends for payment project invoices. 

• Prepares and updates project cash flow projections. Provides budget updates in whole or as assigned, reviews proposed change orders and discusses project budget issues with HCP senior staff as needed.

• Guides design decisions by stakeholders to maintain the project scope within the approved scope and budget. Coordinates and takes part in the value engineering process.

• Working closely with Senior Project Manager or Associate Director, negotiating design and construction contracts and change orders.

Regulatory Approvals

• Together with other members of the project team, coordinates submissions to jurisdictional authorities for permitting. Ensures compliance with regulations and all authorities having jurisdiction. Arranges for all jurisdictional authorities’ inspection necessary to secure final approval for projects, as necessary.

• Perform other duties as assigned.