Sr. Project Manager

The Sr. Project Manager is responsible for managing large and/or complex clinical, research, academic, infrastructure, and administrative design and construction projects. Leads early project intake and provides Early Support for Projects (ESP) during front-end development. Exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to achieve results.

 

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Project Delivery, the incumbent delivers comprehensive project management services from initial customer engagement through project closeout. Ensures alignment with customer needs, institutional priorities, and UCSF policies, and delivers projects within defined scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.

 

Leads project intake and early development activities, including management of Project Intake Requests (PIR), problem assessment, scope definition, and facilitation of Conditions of Satisfaction. Determines appropriate project pathway, level of support, or reassignment. Manages pre-recharge intake efforts and coordinates with leadership when additional funded support is required.

 

Provides ESP by developing preliminary scope, cost estimates, and high-level schedules; identifying risks, constraints, and related impacts; and coordinating with internal stakeholders (e.g., Planning, Facilities Services, EH&S, IT, Real Estate Services) to validate assumptions and inform project direction. Prepares and presents decision-support materials to guide project authorization and next steps.

 

Applies creative problem-solving within the framework of California Public Contract Code, UC policy, and UCSF business practices. Balances diverse stakeholder perspectives to resolve complex challenges and establish effective project delivery strategies that meet regulatory, operational, budgetary, and schedule requirements.

 

Leads and manages design and construction activities, including oversight of consultants, contractors, stakeholders, and regulatory coordination. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, UCOP, and UCSF policies, codes, and standards appropriate to each phase of work.

 

Maintains proactive stakeholder communication to ensure alignment between expectations and project outcomes. May coordinate the work of Real Estate Project Managers and Assistant Project Managers and contributes to continuous improvement of intake, ESP, and project delivery processes.

 

Department Overview

The organization of UCSF Real Estate is focused on the development, planning, delivery, and management of physical space for UCSF.  Key responsibilities include a unified approach to oversee the active UCSF growth planned on a multi-site campus and to manage the complex metropolitan environments affecting capital assets and projects and efforts to align municipal challenges with maximum effectiveness in support of the UCSF mission. 

UCSF Real Estate is an integrated unit that enables the alignment of development, planning, design, construction, and management of facilities and a lease portfolio of 1M square feet across UCSF. Services are provided through the following departments:  Building Permit Services, Campus Design and Construction, Campus Planning, Construction Contract Administration, Health Design and Construction, Health Major Capital Projects, Real Estate Services, Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Capital Program Management and support through Business Intelligence, and Finance, Administration and Operations.

 

The UCSF Campus Design & Construction department is responsible for providing comprehensive capital project delivery services to the research, academic, administrative, campus life services units on the Parnassus, Mt Zion, ZSFG (Zuckerberg San Francisco General), Mission Center, Mission Bay, campuses including leased properties and satellite locations in San Francisco and throughout the greater Bay Area and Fresno. Project types include new “ground up” buildings, seismic upgrades of existing buildings, major infrastructure & technology upgrades, major facilities investment and deferred maintenance programs, renovations and upgrades of existing labs, offices, education space, student and faculty housing facilities, and full floor renovations. 

 

The team is responsible and accountable to assure projects are delivered in accordance with all project objectives including cost, scope, and schedule, remain compliant with all public contract code, UCOP, and UCSF policies, and satisfy the customer requirements. The team serves as the focal point of Campus capital project delivery and relies deeply on close partnerships within real estate and a wide variety of additional stakeholders across UCSF to provide a comprehensive solution for capital project and program delivery services. The current program is $2.8B and consists of more than 200 projects.

 

The combined UCSF Campus and Health organizations include approximately 198 UCSF and 38 contract personnel; operating/recharge budgets of more than $52.2M per year; current year capital project expenditures of $900M; and oversight and responsibility for > $13.3B long-range capital development. 

Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. - Eight (8)years of experience in managing all phases of capital projects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. - Advanced knowledge of federal, state and local laws, and regulations governing planning, building design and construction, including but not limited to, JCAHO, OSHPD, NFPA, Title 24, American with disibilities Act, and CDPH requirements. - Advanced understanding and knowledge of architectural and construction industry theory and practice. Ability to assess technical design documents, construction contracts, and related records. - Advanced project management skills to effectively manage highly complex, multiphase projects or specialized critical project components within an occupied academic medical center. - Advanced financial skills to prepare, monitor and manage detailed project budgets, evaluate cost estimates, and review payment requests. - Advanced skill in advising and consulting with senior leaders, interdisciplinary stakeholders, design professionals and construction contractors. - Advanced skill managing contractors ensuring compliance with work scope and budget. - Advanced skill in building, maintaining and nurturing strong professional relationships. - Advanced Microsoft Office and project manager software skills. Working knowledge of CAD drawing programs and architectural design application programs. - Advanced project management skills to effectively manage highly complex projects, or highly specialized and critical project component - Advanced communication skills on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting with project team, leaders, stakeholders, contractors and consultants. Demonstrated ability to present executive summaries to diverse Leadership groups. Preferred Qualifications: - Five (5) years in specialized training such as mechanical, electrical and/or construction management. - University, Research Laboratory /or Medical Center experience - Experience leading multi-discipline project groups on small and medium complex research laboratory or healthcare projects or programs - Experience in lean business process improvement - Experience Using Primavera Unifier and P6 Scheduling Software - Advanced knowledge of the organization, including its infrastructure, rules, regulations, policies and short and long range strategic building plans. - Advanced knowledge of research laboratory or healthcare building construction, design, construction contract administration and California Building Codes, including full understanding of industry practices. - Advanced skills and technological knowledge in areas of architecture, construction, MEPF, Lean Construction and/or Project Delivery. - Demonstrated skills in problem recognition / avoidance / resolution.