The Construction Management is a new position responsible for directly executing construction project oversight for Vanderbilt University Facilities Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) office. The CM will serve as the project leader for a specified number of projects in the construction phase and will act as the owner’s lead representative for all their assigned construction projects on behalf of Vanderbilt University (VU). They provide construction project guidance and assistance to other PDC Directorates, VU Maintenance Operations, and Vanderbilt’s Academic and Athletic Dean’s offices. This position will routinely communicate (orally and in writing) with Directors, AVCs and Athletic and Academic Units. This position serves as the lead construction engineer within VU Facilities for projects assigned and reports directly to the Associate Director of Construction and Director of Construction.
The CM will be responsible for leading and managing all assigned construction projects for Vanderbilt University, striving to minimize disruptions to VU operations and personnel while maximizing financial efficiency. Total cost per project may range from $5K-$500M+.
About Vanderbilt University:
Vanderbilt is a renowned private institution founded in 1873 located a little more than a mile from downtown Nashville, TN. The university’s students, faculty, staff and visitors frequently cite Nashville as one of the perks of Vanderbilt. VU is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday.
About the Work Unit:
Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) is a work unit of approximately 26 personnel supporting university faculty, staff, and students in small and large construction and renovation projects and is part of the Facilities Department. The projected VU construction program is estimated at over $2 billion across the next ten years, with approximately $1 billion currently in programming or design. PDC is responsible for planning, designing and executing new construction and renovation projects for VU. PDC will coordinate the design, bid, and management of all assigned projects in a safe, timely, and organized manner. They coordinate current and potential projects with all university stakeholders and act as a representative of the university to outside vendors and contractors to acquire adequate and competitive pricing.
Facilities’ annual budget exceeds $100 million in operating expenses and includes over 500 employees. Facilities manages major capital project expenditures totaling ~$300 million annually and facility renewal, replacement and large maintenance project expenditures totaling ~$20 million annually.
Key Functions, Responsibilities and Expected Performance:
This position is primarily an on-campus position (estimated 75% on site, minimum), as walking the campus and monitoring assigned construction projects is expected. The incumbent regularly evaluates workload and critical project priorities and deadlines and schedules and assigns manpower to accomplish all tasks assigned by higher authority. The incumbent may act as the hiring official for construction positions within PDC on behalf of the Director and provides guidance and counsel on both technical and administrative matters. This position will promote team building and improve business practices, provide construction-engineering expertise in major engineering disciplines for assigned projects, including those of potentially an unusual, high-visibility or complex nature. Acts as a construction and technical expert for assigned project. This position leads all assigned construction project designers and contractors on highly technical issues, construction practices, quality, safety, schedule, cost and changed conditions. Responsible for constructability reviews on all assigned capital project contract plans (to include drawings and sketches) and designs, this position acts as the expert of technical/front-end specifications with authority not to award any contract found to have design or constructability defects that would result in improper contracting or result in an unsatisfactory product. Constructability reviews include providing input on the independent VU cost estimate and design completion/ finalization as it relates to the construction cost and schedule for elements such as project phasing, laydown areas, and mark-ups on various contract vehicles. Resolves technical problems and conflicting plans and specifications on construction for VU construction staff, designers and contractors. Responsible for technical acceptability and quality approval of all assigned construction projects managed by PDC. May act as the VU witness at claims or hearings requiring engineering and construction expertise. Advises the Director of Construction, PDC and Chief Facilities Officer on all assigned construction project issues and remedies. Establishes effective management procedures for office and field administration with respect to assigned projects. Directs the assigned project’s design firms, VU construction Inspectors, and Construction contractors. Provides construction management, engineering and contract administration experience and expertise to VU Facilities and PDC for all assigned projects. Ensures technical representation for all procurement and financial matters related to assigned construction projects. Direct contact is periodically necessary with high-ranking University leadership and local government representatives. Incumbent is directly responsible to the Director of Construction for PDC for carrying out the full range of office and field administrative and engineering functions, provides accurate workload (Work-in-Place) projections and provides monthly status of anticipated shortcomings of earned to target values for all assigned projects. Monitors and adjusts project costs to minimize project cost growth. May represent the Director of Construction at meetings with the Academic and Athletic unit leadership, the AVC for Facilities and CFO where decisions reached are final and commit VU to an established course of action. Utilizes the various electronic applications to develop improved data management and consequently a reduction in operating costs, adhering to VU instructions, Policies, and Business Processes. Ensures use of eBuilder and Oracle reports for workload management, project status updates, and management of construction contract closeouts.
Construction Management (~70%): The incumbent is responsible for enforcement of all technical and administrative provisions of assigned construction contracts. The incumbent is required to execute duties in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, guidance, policy and procedures. The incumbent is further required to apply sound engineering principles and judgment throughout the performance of their duties. The incumbent’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: reviewing pre-final contract drawings and specifications with respect to constructability and compatibility with actual field conditions; participating in pre-award contract meetings; coordinating post-award contract meetings such as post-award kickoff meetings (as applicable), preconstruction conferences, (informal or formal) partnering meetings, schedule acceptance meeting, design review meetings (as applicable), LEED coordination meetings (as applicable), Facility Turnover Planning Meetings (Red Zone), and final inspections. Review and approval of contractor administrative submittals such as schedules (both bar charts and networks), environmental protection plan, design (as applicable) and construction quality control plan, health and safety plan, accident prevention plan; and coordinate review and approval of technical submittals such as shop drawings, product data, samples, design data, manufacturer’s instructions, test plans/reports, certificates, and O&M data in a timely manner. Manage the contractor Requests for Information (RFIs) and ensuring timely responses. Ensure effective communication and coordination between the project manager, design manager, contract specialist, the contractor, the project technical team, the client, and others as appropriate. The primary responsibility to drive project post-award lies with the CME. Possess an advanced and comprehensive level of understanding regarding construction schedules utilizing network analysis and the potential impact of modifications to the critical path. Provide guidance and assistance to less experienced personnel in the review/substantiation of contractor proposed schedule delays based upon submitted time impact analysis. Regularly visit construction sites to monitor progress and solicit input from the Construction Inspector, review CQC reports and attend QC and production meetings, by exception. Provide and brief project status updates to senior personnel within Facilities and VU leadership.
Procurement Support (~20%): The incumbent also represents PDC as the technical representative in matters involving contract amendments, PCOs, CCDs and claims. Issuing or supporting the issuance of the contractor request for proposal. Ensure funds are reserved for the amendment prior to approval. Prior to negotiating, personally prepare or coordinate the preparation of an independent owner’s estimate (IOE) if contractor entitlement exceeds $50,000. Provide technical support in preparation of both pre and post negotiation memoranda. Personally prepare or coordinating the preparation of sketches, drawings, and engineering details in support of negotiations and issuance of the amendment. After negotiation, preparing the final documentation and wording for the modification including justification for cost and time involved.
Other Duties and Responsibilities (~10%): The incumbent is responsible for various other requirements such as mentoring less experienced personnel, proactively pursue completion of training required and continuing education requirements of his/her State’s Professional Licensing board. Extensive experience and knowledge of advanced concepts, principles and practices in engineering/architecture that enables him/her to serve as an expert in the complex multiple engineering areas of consultation, design and construction. The incumbent must be able to independently apply this knowledge and experience to develop creative and technically sound solutions to problems not remedied by standard, pre-defined processes. A fundamental knowledge of computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, electronic mail, Internet, and database software is required. The incumbent must be computer literate and comfortable with performing most daily tasks through interactions in computer-based programs including VU specific ones such as, but not limited to, eBuilder, Oracle, and Primavera scheduling software.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position is considered a Level 3 Project Manager with some supervisory responsibilities over assigned construction inspection personnel, as described above. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Associate Director of Construction within Planning, Design and Construction.
Education and Certifications:
Experience and Skills:
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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