Project Director

Who We Are

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Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) oversees the planning, design and construction of the University of Michigan's physical campus. A division of Facilities \& Operations under the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, AEC's professional staff has the expertise to manage facility improvement projects. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service and safely completing projects on time and within budget. We manage projects of all sizes including new buildings, major/minor renovations, and large/small infrastructure projects. We use a cross\-functional team approach to managing projects. Each project team includes the members necessary to best meet the project's goals.

Job Summary

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You will report to the Assistant Vice President for Architecture, Engineering and Construction. A project director represents both AEC and the University of Michigan's benefiting department (user) throughout the planning, design and construction phase of large capital projects. You will be the primary bridge between the customer, the design team (architects/engineers), and the construction team. Your mission is to steer multi\-million\-dollar projects from initial concept through turnover, ensuring deliveries that meet all project requirements on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

What You'll Do

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• Strategic Leadership \- In consideration of the project's priorities, evaluate delivery strategies to meet the main goals. Establish a decision\-making hierarchy and communication protocols. Assist the University Architect in the selection of architects/engineers, and lead the project team in selection of construction firms, and other firms needed for execution of the project. Direct assigned AEC design and project managers throughout the process. Recognize impacts of campus functions, adjacent projects, or other initiatives on the projects you are leading.
• Project Management \- On select projects where a design manager or a project manager is not assigned, independently perform all project management duties without support from subordinate project management staff.
• Design/Bid Phase \- Participate with the design team in the preparation of the design documents consistent with the customers' program and University requirements and provide evaluation of the delivery method to be utilized to meet goals of the project. Assess progress concerning schedule, budget, and overall goals and address any issues that could jeopardize overall project metrics. Lead budget reconciliation efforts and value engineering efforts. Contribute to constructability, site logistics, construction limits and site access locations. Help identify qualified and interested bidders. Lead the team to identify early bid packages, material pre\-purchases or other strategies to meet project goals on projects requiring a phased delivery.
• Construction Phase Oversight \- Provide leadership to the assigned AEC project managers, where applicable Provide overall leadership and management of the construction projects, including project change management , contractor pay applications, coordination/communication with users and other campus departments and partners, coordinating the efforts of field staff, including engineers, commissioning agents, testing laboratories, and other professionals necessary to ensure conformance with the contract, and, and all other aspects of project management. Provide proactive leadership and oversight of project to identify and mitigate circumstances that could adversely impact safety, budget, schedule, quality, claims, or overall goals of the project. Manage turnover to the user and to the maintenance group upon completion of the project. Ensure final completion and close\-out of all contracts.
• Safety and Regulatory Agency Overview and Coordination \- Ensure the team obtains all code and regulatory approvals for occupancy and to comply with local, state, and federal requirements. Understand the applicable site safety measures and Lead AEC's Construction Safety Guidelines on the assigned projects and support overall University Safety program.
• Communication \- Provide concise, professional, and clear communications to various university stakeholders. Lead well\-structured meetings with groups ranging from the project delivery team to senior leadership within the university and community.

Required Qualifications\*

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• Candidates applying for this position require a comprehensive background in the delivery of complex buildings from the conceptual stage to building turnover. We will ask you to demonstrate experience leading large teams including owner's partners, architect/engineers, contractors, and commissioners.
• A bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited engineering program or an NAAB accredited first professional degree in Architecture.
• Ten or more years of experience delivering complex buildings from an architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and building control systems perspective.
• Five or more years of experience in a senior leadership role in project delivery. Five or more years of direct experience performing the duties and responsibilities of a Project Manager.
• In\-depth understanding of design and construction contracts, multiple delivery methods, building and life safety codes, LEED, and environmental requirements related to construction.
• The ability to read and interpret multi\-disciplinary construction drawings and specifications.
• General knowledge of laws and practices related to the design and construction industry.
• An in\-depth understanding of construction documents, such as bulletins, change orders and pay applications.
• Ability to access project job sites, including excavation sites and buildings with differing access/entry structures, and navigate uneven surfaces.

Why Work at Michigan?

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Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care\-that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world\-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off, including family care, maternity and paternal leaves
• Hybrid work environment
• A retirement plan that provides two\-for\-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long\-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Modes of Work

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Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

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Facilities \& Operations is a positive organization dedicated to the principles of being respectful, collaborative, solutions\-based, and proactive.

Background Screening

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The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U\-M EEO Statement

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The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

### Job Opening ID

277276

### Working Title

Project Director

### Job Title

Construction Proj Director

### Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

### Modes of Work

Hybrid

### Full/Part Time

Full\-Time

### Regular/Temporary

Regular

### FLSA Status

Exempt

### Organizational Group

Aec

### Department

AEC\-Project Management

### Posting Begin/End Date

5/07/2026 \- 6/07/2026

### Salary

$170,000\.00 \- $200,000\.00

### Career Interest

Engineering \& Architecture