Assistant Director of Construction and Delivery

Rice University•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Construction Delivery is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of new construction and renovation projects during the construction phase, ensuring effective planning, execution, and completion. Key responsibilities include reviewing construction budgets and reports, leading value optimization efforts to prevent budget overruns, evaluating project and contract documents, reviewing RFPs, leading the contractor selection process, and guiding project teams through all phases of construction. Rice University’s Facilities and Capital Planning (F&CP) Project Management group provides comprehensive project management services that support the maintenance and improvement of the university’s infrastructure. The group directs the architectural development of capital improvements and offers strategic consultation on maintenance-related issues. The Capital Planning team comprises professional project managers who lead all aspects of construction and renovation projects on campus, delivering engineering expertise and project management services to enhance and sustain Rice’s built environment. The ideal candidate can think critically, exercise independent judgment, set priorities, and solve problems. They should be a creative thinker with experience in construction delivery, project management, knowledge of contract management, and strong business acumen. The ideal candidate will have past experience working as a project manager for a general contracting firm, be highly skilled in construction scheduling, well-versed in analyzing complex change orders, possess in-depth knowledge of a variety of contract types and delivery methods, and possess the leadership and technical expertise to guide project teams through coordination of complex building systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5+ years of related experience in construction project management
Written and oral communication skills to address a wide variety of audiences and in alignment with Rice values
Ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams
Demonstrates project management ability to employ integration, scope, time management, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement components
Resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship building, and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
Depth of knowledge in the technical discipline/domain needed to deliver projects
Computer skills, proficient in multiple scheduling software platforms, multiple web-based project management platforms, and the Microsoft Office suite
Reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications, and shop drawings
Ability to deal with stressful situations and critical issues with diplomacy
Ability to plan personal time and productivity to meet pressing deadlines
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, receiving direction from various team leaders
Experienced in leading a team of project management and construction services professionals

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, mechanical or electrical engineering, or construction management
Master’s degree (related field)
License or certification in progress for Architect or Engineer, within 3 years of completion
Five or more years of related experience, including at least five years of recent (within the past five years) relevant construction project management experience
Experience with the design and construction of facilities in an urban setting
Knowledge and experience with web-based platforms, Excel spreadsheets, Word, and Microsoft Project scheduling software

Responsibilities

Provides senior-level technical oversight and strategic analysis of construction issues across multiple major capital projects, guiding leadership decision-making during the construction phase
Leads and coordinates multidisciplinary project teams during the construction phase while contributing strategic input to value optimization efforts during planning and design
Directs complex projects requiring cross-functional integration, aligning architects, engineers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure project objectives are achieved
Develops and oversees implementation of project action plans, defining scope, schedule, and resource requirements, including management oversight, labor allocation, materials, and timelines
Leads evaluation and adoption of innovative construction methods and building materials, recommending cost-effective and technically sound solutions to improve project outcomes
Oversees investigation of construction and installation failures, directing root-cause analysis and implementing corrective strategies to mitigate risk and ensure quality outcomes
Collaborates with departmental leadership and project managers to develop and enhance project management procedures, standards, and best practices that improve operational efficiency and project delivery
Leads and supports strategic initiatives and special projects that advance departmental and institutional construction objectives
Performs all other duties as assigned
Oversees coordination of asset documentation and facilitates the transition of asset information to the maintenance team, ensuring continuity of operations and accurate lifecycle records
Provides oversight for project documentation and administrative coordination, working with department coordinators to maintain record documents and ensure effective scheduling and facilitation of progress meetings