Director of Project Management

About This Organization

Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran and is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Capital Project Management, the Director of Project Management provides strategic and operational leadership for an assigned portion of the University’s capital project portfolio. The Director works closely with senior University leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners to oversee the successful planning, design, construction, and closeout of projects of varying size and complexity, ensuring delivery in alignment with University goals, regulatory requirements, budget parameters, schedule expectations, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with senior staff and a broad range of institutional stakeholders, including senior administrative and academic officers, faculty, researchers, funding clients, end‑users, and internal administrative and academic units.
• Oversee assigned portions of the University’s capital project portfolio and supervise a staff of up to six internal project managers, as well as design professionals, consultants, and contractors, in the execution of the full project life cycle—including planning, development, design, construction, and closeout—in accordance with institutional policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage 30 to 40 projects within the assigned portfolio, ranging in value from $50,000 to more than $350 million, from inception through completion, ensuring adherence to budget, schedule, and quality standards while communicating with relevant clients and stakeholders.
• Provide full design management for assigned projects, coordinating with internal stakeholders, external project participants, and clients to support the successful delivery of the project portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in the planning, design, and construction sector, managing multiple complex projects, ideally including several years of managing capital projects in vacant and occupied New York City buildings.
• Strong working knowledge of the full project life cycle, including planning, design, and construction.
• Excellent time management, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, develop, and mentor staff.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable building codes and regulations, building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and envelope), and construction project management practices.
• Proficiency with digital technologies, workflows, and industry tools such as MS Project, BIM, Revit, AutoCAD, and Power BI.
• Ability to work effectively in a client‑facing service environment while exercising sound discretion and judgment.
• Ability to support the development and implementation of process improvements related to administration, management, communication, and project delivery.

Additional Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction, along with supplemental certifications such as LEED AP, PMP, or construction management certifications.
• Registered and/or professional certifications such as AIA, LEED AP, PMP, or equivalent construction‑management credentials.
• Fifteen or more years of combined professional experience in Architecture and/or Engineering with Construction delivery.
• Extensive professional and industry experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, challenging, and continually evolving environment with multiple stakeholders.
• An executive presence, strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize project‑related tasks and goals while managing complex projects across different job sites.