Project Director

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The City University of New York (CUNY) is undertaking a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year capital design and construction program across its 25 campuses. The Project Director serves as a senior member of the Office of Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management and is responsible for the leadership, planning, execution, and oversight of a portfolio of capital-funded major and strategic complex projects. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor, the Project Director exercises substantial independent judgment and initiative in directing the delivery of complex capital projects from inception through planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout. The Project Director collaborates closely with campus leadership, university stakeholders, City and State agencies, regulatory bodies, consultants, construction managers, contractors, and other partners to ensure that projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with the University’s strategic and operational priorities.

The Project Director is expected to provide both strategic leadership and day-to-day management oversight, ensuring that project teams maintain high standards for quality, compliance, fiscal stewardship, schedule performance, documentation, and stakeholder communication.

• Direct a portfolio of high-value and complex capital design and construction projects.

• Provide leadership for all phases of project development, including feasibility, programming, scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, design, construction, occupancy, and closeout.

• Establish project delivery strategies and implementation plans aligned with institutional objectives, funding constraints, and operational needs.

• Ensure successful turnkey delivery of projects using conventional, design-bid-build, CM at-risk, or other authorized delivery methods.

• Identify project interdependencies, critical path issues, long-lead risks, and operational constraints, and implement mitigation strategies.

Planning, Budgeting, and Financial Oversight

• Develop conceptual project scopes, budgets, schedules, and implementation strategies to support capital planning and executive decision-making.

• Direct preparation and maintenance of project budgets, cost estimates, cash flow projections, and funding requests.

• Draft, review, and submit budget proposals and recommend revisions based on project evolution, market conditions, or funding changes.

• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, forecasted costs, change orders, contingency use, and financial risk.

• Ensure fiscal accountability and recommend corrective action when projects trend off budget.

Procurement and Consultant/Contractor Oversight

• Lead or participate in the selection, procurement, and management of architects, engineers, consultants, construction managers, contractors, and specialty vendors.

• Review scopes of work, fee proposals, qualifications, bid documents, procurement packages, and contract recommendations.

• Oversee bid review processes, analysis of bid submissions, responsibility determinations, and award recommendations.

• Communicate with oversight agencies including the Office of the State Controller and the Attorney General for approval-related issues.

• Negotiate consultant and construction contracts, amendments, and change orders to ensure fair value and protection of University interests.

• Review and approve payment applications, invoices, and certificates for consultants and contractors.

Design and Construction Management

• Oversee design development and construction documentation to ensure compliance with approved program, budget, schedule, code requirements, and institutional standards.

• Ensure assigned job site operations comply with design intent, specifications, quality requirements, and approved schedules.

• Lead resolution of design conflicts, field conditions, scope issues, contractor performance matters, and construction claims.

• Monitor and facilitate the resolution of disputes, delays, and other project risks.

Governance, Reporting, and Approvals

• Prepare and oversee materials required for internal and external approvals, including Board resolutions, authorization requests, and project funding packages.

• Ensure all required City and State approvals, budget authorizations, and supporting documentation are in place prior to bidding, award, or other key project actions.

• Ensure project managers maintain timely and accurate reporting in the University’s project management systems, including financial data, schedules, progress updates, and risk assessments.

• Prepare regular executive reports and briefings on project status, risks, milestones, approvals, and budget performance.

• Keep senior leadership informed of critical issues and recommend appropriate actions.

Stakeholder and Agency Coordination

• Serve as a principal point of contact with campus leadership, internal departments, public agencies, regulatory authorities, and external project partners.

• Lead coordination with City and State agencies regarding project approvals, permitting, funding, code compliance, inspections, and regulatory matters.

• Assist campuses in identifying capital needs and translating academic and operational priorities into implementable construction projects.

• Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders throughout planning, design, construction, and occupancy.

Supervision and Team Development

• Direct, supervise, assign, and review the work of project managers and other assigned staff.

• Set priorities, establish performance expectations, and monitor staff productivity and project outcomes.

• Promote consistent project management standards, best practices, and continuous process improvement across the capital program.

• Mentor staff and support development of technical, managerial, and leadership capabilities.

Risk Management and Continuous Improvement

• Anticipate and manage changes in scope, schedule, budget, market conditions, or project constraints.

• Identify potential crises, claims exposure, procurement risks, and operational impacts, and develop contingency plans.

• Recommend and implement improvements to project controls, reporting tools, procurement practices, and delivery methods.

• Foster a culture of accountability, problem-solving, collaboration, and service to the University community.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in design and construction management, including substantial experience managing complex capital projects in a senior project management or leadership role.

• Demonstrated experience in project planning, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, cost control, construction administration, and project closeout.

• Strong knowledge of building systems, construction methods, contract administration, and public-sector project delivery.

• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, NYC and New York State codes, procurement requirements, and agency approval processes.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and to work effectively under deadline pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, public administration, or a related field.

• New York State Professional Engineer or Registered Architect license.

• PMP or comparable project management certification.

• Experience managing public-sector or higher-education capital projects in New York City and/or New York State.

• Experience working with City and State agencies, boards, public authorities, and regulatory entities.

• Strong leadership experience supervising project managers and multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience with capital planning systems, cost estimating platforms, scheduling tools, and construction/project management software.

Core Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to lead teams and manage competing priorities across multiple active projects.

• Sound judgment, strategic thinking, and strong decision-making ability.

• Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• High level of professionalism, accountability, and responsiveness.

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, collaboration, and public service.

• Ability to identify process improvements and implement best practices.

• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a portfolio-level perspective.

Pay Range:

$160,000 to $180,000

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.