Junior Project Manager-Architect

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

PLEASE NOTE:  All applications must include a cover letter and link to a portfolio of work

Reporting to the Associate Director of Design and Construction, the Project Manager- Architecture is responsible for providing professional project management and leadership on important projects related to the all SAIC buildings. These projects could include but are not limited to: Envelope updates and facade maintenance, complete floor renovations, infrastructural projects that could relate to HVAC and other support systems, structural elements, finishes and the broadest spectrum of all construction divisions. The position will also work closely with the university’s research divisions and applies deep knowledge and specialized expertise to coordinate and execute all phases of large capital projects. Leads the construction and renovation of physical assets and bringing assets online in the most efficient and effective manner.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the planning, design and execution of major capital projects by providing project leadership, communication, coordination & conflict resolution to ensure project goals are met
• Manage a project portfolio that could range from a single large complex project to a group of projects
• Support the department in pre-project planning activities
• Manage projects from initiation through final project completion and closeout
• Manage and be responsible for project budget, schedule, and procurement of design and construction services
• Provide leadership and drive progress of consultants to achieve expected functionality, architectural design outcomes and recommend alternatives if needed to keep the project on schedule and within budget
• Facilitate timely decisions with campus representatives to report progress and issues impacting the project goals to stakeholders
• Take responsibility for timely and comprehensive communications with all project stakeholders and the larger SAIC community
• Ensure design and construction documents comply with project requirements including established Facilities processes and standards
• Facilitate timely review of contract documents throughout all phases of the project. Assure that comments are responded to and resolutions of the comments are incorporated into the projects
• Facilitate timely reviews of accessibility, building, fire code, and historic preservation (where applicable) compliance to avoid delays to the project.
• Advocate with integrity for the University in contract negotiations
• Review and approve design and construction contracts, changes, technical service contracts, GMP submittals, bid documents, pay applications, in accordance with SAIC policies
• Apply departmental project control processes for consistency, to mitigate risks, and to assure compliance with policies, rules and regulations as well as all applicable authorities having jurisdiction
• General Continually communicate between the Design and Construction management team, and all other IRFM departmental stakeholders to ensure a common understanding of objectives, resources, and priorities
• Responsible for management of the construction process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

•  Bachelor’s degree or related degree in architecture, engineering required
• Architecture license or in process of obtaining license highly preferred
• 2+ years experience in architecture or project management
• Exp