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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .
The IRD for this job is: 06-01-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department oversees operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry out the duties necessary for campus development and operation.
More information can be found at: https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/design-construction/
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Project Manager operates independently as a project management professional in the planning, design, construction, and commissioning phases of medium-scale to large-scale non-capital and capital construction projects. The incumbent helps improve the design and performance of physical infrastructure and building engineering systems. Assigned projects may be new construction or alterations, including work inside buildings, site work, and exterior utilities, and are often complex and impactful. Project scopes include architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and landscape, and typically run from project inception through completion. The Senior Project Manager oversees 1) the conceptual phase of engineering studies, defining initial scope and budget, setting design criteria, obtaining project approvals; 2) the design phase of managing the A&E design consultants, coordinating stakeholder input, design reviews, compiling bid documents, budget reconciliation, value engineering, and obtaining final approvals; and 3) the construction phase of soliciting bids, awarding contracts, schedule management, submittal review, project meetings, utility shutdown coordination, inspections, progress reports, payment review, change order negotiations, budget management, start-up, commissioning, and contract closeout, including warranty work. The Senior Project Manager exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and oversees, supervises, or provides guidance to other facilities project managers as needed. Job emphasis is on delivering projects that meet the functional design requirements, are reliable, easily maintained, energy efficient, sustainable, have low visual impact, and have a long operating life. Turnover of fully functioning systems to campus operation personnel (Physical Plant Services) is a high priority.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $140,000 - $150,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
Union Representation: Non-Represented
Job Code Classification: 000364 (FAC PROJECT MGT SPEC 4) - Grade 24
Travel: Up to 25% of the time
JOB DUTIES
25% - Project Management

• Bids or negotiates construction contracts.
• Reviews and oversees construction activities, including contractor schedule, RFIs, submittals, change order requests, and punch list.
• Specializes in and focuses on monitoring construction milestones and critical path activities.

20% - Design Development

• Hires architectural, engineering, and consultant firms to develop project requirement definitions, design criteria, and prepare layouts and detail drawings.
• Provides leadership, expertise, direction, and oversight of the architects and engineers.
• Prepares and approves cost estimates and functional studies, establishes project schedule and budget, and reviews with clients.
• Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Develops criteria and performance specifications required to meet unique operating requirements and building and safety codes.
• Ensures plans and specifications conform to all building codes, University, and the Office of the President requirements and regulations.
• Drives a University vehicle with Clients and Vendors around campus to visit job sites.

10% - Programming

• Oversees the project program, including meeting with clients to help define both project scope and program.

10% - Planning

• Formally establishes project plan, including working with other units, departments, and the Office of the President (i.e., SMCP, Budget Office, and other Capital Project units) to facilitate this effort and ensure funding transfers.

10% - Conflict Resolution

• Acts as a liaison among project participants and resolves problems or conflicts, including recommending a range of solutions to disputed issues or contractor claims.

10% - Supervision

• Oversees and directs other project managers and analysts.

5% - Closeout

• Ensures project is properly closed out, and Operations and Maintenance Manuals and record drawings are turned over to Physical Plant Services.
• Ensures training is provided for campus stakeholders.

5% - Reporting

• Creates a project schedule and budget in project management software, including systematic reporting and updating of project status as required by the University, regulatory agencies, and the Office of the President, which may include monthly written reporting and KPIs.

5% - Organizational Activities

• Performs organizational, departmental, and administrative activities not directly relating to projects, including serving on committees representing the department or PPDO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced working knowledge of building and construction practices, design, construction contract administration, and California Building Codes, including a full understanding of industry standards.
• Ability to administer a construction project through all phases of construction, including contract document assembly, budgetary estimating, obtaining approvals, bidding, addendums, contract award, submittals, scheduling, progress meetings, contract compliance, change order negotiations, commissioning, punch-list, contract closeout, and enforcement of warranty period.
• Advanced project management skills, including skills to manage complex projects.
• Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants while maintaining compliance with the agreed-upon scope of work and budget.
• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management.
• Demonstrated technical familiarity with at least five building systems or project disciplines, including Architectural, Civil, Building Envelope, Landscape, Hardscape, HVAC, Process/Hydronic Piping, BMS, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Fire Alarm, Electrical, Lighting, Elevators, Life Safety, Site Work, and Underground Utilities.
  Proven analytical, organizational, and advanced problem-solving abilities to resolve complex issues, frequently without precedent or structure.
• Comprehensive written communication skills.
• Comprehensive verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including highly developed political acumen.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and understandably to a non-technical audience.
• Functions with a high level of autonomy and a minimum of supervision.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of software programs including, but not limited to, MS Office, MS Project, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and database systems (FAMIS, Tririga, Filemaker, or equivalent).
• Significant work experience requiring team and consensus building, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports and correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively with project stakeholders and be responsive to their needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid California Professional Engineering (PE) license
• LEED AP or Green Associate
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Knowledge of the University infrastructure and short and long-range strategic building plans.
• Familiarity with public works contract law and statutes.
• Minimum five years of experience leading or directly managing Project Managers, Architects, and Engineers to implement project management and construction of complex technical systems.
• Experience with energy efficiency projects, including payback periods and cost-benefit analysis.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: