The Senior Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, design, and execution of capital improvement projects across the University, from early concept development through occupancy and closeout. This position manages a diverse portfolio of renovations, renewals, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic campus initiatives while ensuring projects align with institutional priorities, budgets, schedules, and long-term operational needs.
Working closely with campus stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and internal Facilities Services staff, this role serves as the University's owner representative throughout the project lifecycle. The Senior Project Manager provides supervisory oversight and leadership for project management staff, helping coordinate workload, maintain project standards, and support effective execution across the department. This position plays a critical role in maximizing institutional resources through Denison's highly effective self-directed project delivery model while ensuring quality, compliance, and value in all capital investments.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Lead university capital improvement projects including major renovations, building renewals, infrastructure improvements, and new construction projects from concept development through occupancy and closeout.
Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, procurement strategies, and design/construction documents in collaboration with campus stakeholders, consultants, and contractors.
Develop, review, and negotiate project-related contracts and service agreements including professional design services, construction management agreements, and contractor proposals to ensure alignment with institutional standards, scope, budget, and risk management objectives.
Manage project programming and engage campus stakeholders to align customer needs with long-term institutional priorities, campus standards, and operational requirements. Facilitate communication and collaboration across the campus community throughout the planning, design, and construction process to ensure transparency, minimize disruption, and support successful project outcomes.
Coordinate and oversee architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, code officials, and consultants during design, bidding, construction, and commissioning phases.
Review architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings and specifications to ensure constructability, code compliance, maintainability, life-cycle value, and alignment with university standards.
Monitor project budgets, schedules, contracts, change orders, and contingencies to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
Provide on-site project oversight, inspect project progress, communicate issues to stakeholders, and ensure quality standards are maintained throughout construction.
Oversee building acceptance, commissioning, and closeout processes, ensuring project documentation, as-built drawings, warranties, and operational materials are complete and properly archived.
Develop, maintain, and improve institutional project standards, construction documentation practices, and project delivery methods.
Provide supervisory oversight and leadership to project management staff, coordinating workload, supporting professional development, and ensuring effective project execution.
Support long-range campus planning efforts, deferred maintenance planning, and capital renewal strategies in coordination with Facilities Services leadership.
Assist Facilities Services in day-to-day operational support related to building systems, infrastructure troubleshooting, facility assessments, and corrective action planning.
Maintain project records, building documentation, AutoCAD files, and related campus infrastructure information.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
Associate's degree or equivalent professional experience in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related field.
Relevant experience in capital project delivery, construction management, facilities planning, or institutional project management may be substituted for formal education.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management, capital planning, facilities planning, architecture, engineering, or related institutional project delivery.
Demonstrated experience managing commercial, institutional, industrial, or higher education construction projects from planning and design through construction and closeout.
Experience developing and managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, and procurement processes.
Preferred:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or a related field. Advanced degree, Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), Registered Architect (R.A.), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred.
Experience in higher education, campus environments, or similarly complex institutional settings. Supervisory or leadership experience managing project teams, staff, contractors, or consultants.
Experience with deferred maintenance planning, capital renewal strategies, and long-range institutional planning.
Why Choose Denison?
Denison University is a leading, fully residential liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio, located just outside the Columbus metro area. Established in 1831, Denison blends a rigorous academic foundation with an award-winning approach to student mentorship and career readiness. With a vibrant campus community of 2,400 students and around 2,000 employees, Denison offers employees a supportive, forward-thinking environment dedicated to educational excellence and professional growth.
Denison provides a number of staff-focused benefits, with some highlights:
10% contribution to your retirement
22 vacation days
3 floating holidays
Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years
Free parking and gym membership
Free classes for employees
Full tuition coverage for dependents
Want to learn more about us? Visit Denison.edu for more information.
Denison’s campus is beautiful and exceptionally well-suited for its academic mission. It features a mixture of historic and contemporary buildings, and state-of-the-art science facilities. Spanning 1,000 acres, the campus includes a 350-acre biological reserve. All buildings, academic, residential and athletic, are within walking distance of each other, which helps build a sense of community.