Senior Construction Project Manager - Research Facilities

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

Senior Construction, Planning & Design

Department's Website:

https://fama.uark.edu/

Summary of Job Duties:

The Senior Construction Project Manager - Research Facilities role advances the University’s excellence in research by delivering state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized research environments that are safe, compliant, reliable, and sustainable. The Construction Project Manager ensures that facilities enable cutting-edge discovery and interdisciplinary collaboration by aligning design and delivery with programmatic needs, research standards, and stakeholder requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary liaison among design consultants, contractors, principal investigators, Environmental Health & Safety, and campus stakeholders.
  -Communicates program requirements for labs, core facilities, vivarium and animal-care, nano/cleanroom spaces, etc. (ventilation rates, pressurization, ACH, temperature/humidity ranges, filtration, hood counts, shielding, and cleanroom classifications) with the stakeholders to ensure functionality, safety, and sustainability goals.
• Reviews drawings/specifications for constructability, compliance with research requirements, and life-cycle performance; Leads coordination of value engineering and risk mitigation.
• Manages scope, schedule, budget, contracts, change orders, pay applications, warranty, and project closeout; upholds documentation and audit readiness.
• Coordinates infrastructure systems required to support high-performance research facilities
• Coordinates long-lead specialty equipment; enforces quality, safety, and infection/biosecurity controls; manages phasing in active buildings.
• Coordinates commissioning and performance verification of specialized systems (HVAC, fume hoods, BSCs, cleanroom controls, radiation shielding, specialty utilities, redundancy, and emergency power).
• Coordinates user training, SOP integrations, and O&M documentation; confirm regulatory readiness, and handoff.

Regular, reliable, and non‑disruptive attendance is an essential job function, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, architecture, construction management, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least five (5) years managing research facility projects (wet/dry labs, vivarium, core instrumentation suites, nano/cleanroom spaces, etc.)

• Experience in specialized systems for research facilities (HVAC, cleanroom controls, biosafety containment, and redundancy systems)

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder expectations in highly regulated research environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science in Construction Management or Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution of higher education

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

• Experience with complex building systems commissioning and construction delivery methods (CMAR, Job Order Contracting, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the complexity and compliance rigor needed for high-performance research environments

• Familiarity with construction codes and standards (IBC, NFPA, ASHRAE) and research facility compliance (biosafety, cleanroom standards)

• Knowledge of data protection expectations for research infrastructure (e.g., CMMC domains when applicable)

• Strong knowledge of construction project lifecycle: planning, design coordination, procurement, and closeout

• Ability to develop and manage construction project budgets

• Proficiency in construction documentation tools (Bluebeam, Procore, BIM platforms)

• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage phased construction in occupied research facilities

• Skilled in budget and schedule control, change management, and contract administration

• Understanding of commissioning processes for specialized systems (HVAC, cleanrooms, biosafety containment)

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$99,309 - $114,205

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Resume

Optional Documents:

License or Certificate (see special instructions for submission instructions), List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Justine Kyle, HR Partner I, justinek@uark.ed

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Financial Credit Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes