Project Manager

Project Manager

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Project Manager

Job Profile Title
Manager, Project-Facilities and Real Estate Services

Job Description Summary
The Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) provides the expertise, business process, policies and standards required to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and renew the physical assets of the University, excluding the health system. In addition, the Division, comprised of approximately five Departments, is responsible for the strategic planning, management and operation of non-academic University property, and collaborating with the neighborhood to create a safe, diverse and economically vibrant destination. With close to 12M square feet of space, FRES maintains 186 buildings on a campus of 276 acres, completes over 60,000 maintenance requests per year, and starts approximately 250 projects a year. FRES is comprised of the following Departments: Administration, Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, Real Estate, Operations and Maintenance.

The University of Pennsylvania is implementing a campus transformation entitled Penn Connects ( http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu ). This comprehensive, award winning effort is expanding the campus over the next 20 years, including the construction of new academic research and recreational facilities. In addition, the University has secured $300M in Century Bond funding and continues to upgrade existing facilities over the coming years. https://www.facilities.upenn.edu/

Job Description
Project Manager:

***The Design & Construction Department of the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services has vacancies for Non-Term Project Managers, and 3-YR Term Project Managers.***

Reporting to a Director of Design and Construction for Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), the Project Manager (PM) is responsible for the management of design, engineering, legal, construction, and other professionals engaged in the planning, design, and construction of capital projects for the University. Project Management responsibilities begin with project inception and continue through final closeout and include working with the Office of the University Architect, Operations and Maintenance Department, and various School/Center representatives throughout the process. Project Management responsibilities include development and rigorous maintenance of project budgets, schedules, financial records, contract documents, and reports; coordinating project meetings; issuing monthly financial status reports; ensuring that proper permits and zoning ordinances are obtained; and coordinating utility shutdowns. The PM is also responsible for the verification of work performed and the recommendation for approval and payment of invoices, change orders, and construction payment applications. Project Management includes developing a collaborative team environment between the Schools/Centers, contractors, designers, and FRES Divisions.

Responsibilities/Duties:
  • Coordinates the planning, design, and construction of assigned projects with other University entities, including representatives of the Office of University Architect, Sustainability Staff, Operations & Maintenance, Department of Public Safety, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, and various University Schools and Centers. Reviews of the designs and construction (design drawings, shop drawings, etc.) are to be completed both in these coordinated teams and directly to ensure compliance with code and University design standards, along with standardizing materials and equipment to the maximum extent practical.
  • Manage assigned capital projects to assure successful execution within established budgets and schedules. Develops and maintains project schedules for assigned projects using e-Builder system.
  • Monitors construction quality to assure that the intent of construction documents is carried out and attractive, durable, and functional work is achieved. Takes corrective action through project team when necessary. Ensure contractors submit site specific safety plans and that the contractors implement proper procedures to confirm that they maintain a safe work site.


  • Manages and initiates financial transactions for all assigned projects using e-Builder system. Assures timely payments to all vendors. Control project costs and confirm compliance with University procurement requirements through detailed review of proposals, contracts, invoices, change orders, etc.
  • Works with Design & Construction Director to develop capital approval submissions for presentation to CAG, Capital Council, and Trustees.


  • Assists department management in improving / developing departmental guidelines and procedures for implementation of the Capital Plans.
  • Mentor and assist less experienced project management staff.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.


Required Qualifications:
BA, BS, BArch, MA, MS, or MArch in a technical field and discipline related to building design/construction management, such as Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or Interior Design and at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience managing large and diverse project teams that includes supervision of commercial/institutional building renovations and/or new construction projects, and capital budget preparation and administration, or equivalent, are required. To be considered equivalent, a combination of college education (BA/BS/MA/MS) in a different field or discipline and at least 15 years of relevant project management experience on commercial/institutional building renovations and/or new construction projects is required.
Must be well-versed in the design process, construction methodologies and procedures, and project management principles; have a working knowledge of project management software; be skilled in Microsoft Office; and have the ability to read and interpret design and construction contracts and contract documents, including drawings, specifications, payment applications, etc. Experience managing project budgets, schedules, and quality of work is essential. Must have strong initiative with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects, prioritize work tasks, and work either independently or as part of a team consisting of a wide variety of individuals. Excellent communication, writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications, But Not Required:

  • Professional license in a field related to building design/construction management (PE, AIA, etc.)
  • Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or Business
  • Additional years of relevant experience beyond the requirements listed above
  • Experience working in a campus environment similar to the University of Pennsylvania
  • Experience working as an owner's representative
  • Experience managing laboratory design or construction projects
  • Experience preparing Requests for Proposals and managing the procurement process for design and construction services
  • Experience preparing documents and/or presenting projects to senior leadership for design and/or financial approval
  • Experience evaluating additional design service requests and construction change order proposals to confirm that proper backup documentation is provided and the associated costs are fair and reasonable.
  • Experience reviewing construction safety and logistics plans and a general knowledge of construction site safety procedures
  • Experience managing projects using the e-Builder project management system

    ***The Project Manager-3 YR Term position(s) is one-time funding related to a specific project, so the new staffing will be on a three-year term basis with the potential for extension as the workload requires.***

    ***For consideration, interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest in this position, is preferred.***

    Job Location - City, State
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Department / School
    Facilities and Real Estate Services

    Pay Range
    $61,046.00 - $95,972.00

    Affirmative Action Statement
    Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

    Special Requirements
    Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

    University Benefits
    • Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
    • Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
    • Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
    • Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
    • Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
    • Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
    • Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
    • University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
    • Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
    • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
    • Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
    • Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.



    To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

    To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Left-Bank-Facilites--Real-Estate-Services/Project-Manager_JR00054018

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