Construction Service Manager

Rice University•Houston, TX

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Construction Services Manager is the in-house Subject Matter Expert (SME), primarily for electrical distribution and MEP systems, ensuring project success from design through commissioning. This role provides expert technical oversight, quality control (QC), and essential collaboration with Project Management, Planning, and Operations. The role is responsible for enforcing campus standards, mitigating operational risk (e.g., utility coordination), and managing all closeout documentation to deliver compliant and operationally sound capital projects. The ideal candidate will have a degree in construction and/or project management (or a related field) and will maintain strong hands-on skills in design and plan review, particularly related to MEP systems, with a minimum of five years of onsite construction services or commissioning management experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted
3+ years of related experience in construction or maintenance, focusing on electrical systems
Written and oral communication skills, especially when translating technical concepts for diverse audiences
Ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams
Demonstrated ability to manage projects, work independently, analyze construction projects for accurate cost and schedule, evaluate quality of installations, clearly communicate, manage risk, and assist in the procurement of 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, especially electrical systems
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
Ability to use Microsoft Office or equivalent software

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of related experience in construction or maintenance, focusing on electrical systems
Bachelor’s degree in construction, project management, electrical engineering, or another closely related field
Construction MEP quality control/quality assurance experience
Commercial construction commissioning experience
Engineering or construction certification
Vocational training certification in electrical systems
Electrical licensed/certified technician
Commercial construction expertise
Experience in higher education or campus-based utility systems
Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) preferred, with no more than three moving violations within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years

Responsibilities

Act as the in-house subject matter expert in medium-voltage electrical systems and campus electrical distribution
Serve as the primary liaison between Project Management, Planning, and Facilities Operations, supporting Project Managers
Oversee and manage quality control (QC) and evaluation of all work across campus projects
Lead campus projects requiring functional integration, including defining the action plan and estimating resources (labor, materials, and time)
Act as a key collaborator on the design and development of new projects, specifically providing input on MEP and fire protection design for all renovation and new construction
Review construction documents (plans and specifications) and submittals to ensure adherence to standards, considering lifecycle costs and operational impacts
Research and recommend new methods of construction or building materials, and provide input on cost-saving alternatives (value engineering)
Advise staff engineers and external consultants on system and equipment selection, and manage the in-house submittal process and distribution of all plans, specifications, and peer reviews
Inspect construction sites during all phases, provide field reports, attend construction meetings, and oversee sites for safety, security, parking, and cleanliness
Communicate directly with contractors and subcontractors regarding installation deficiencies and adherence to design intent; investigate installation failures and recommend corrections
Manage the commissioning process by observing testing and compiling and reviewing test reports for conformity to specifications
Manage and secure all project closeout documentation, including as-built/record drawings, O&M manuals, warranty information, and equipment database changes
Coordinate utility outages, working closely with Operations and Maintenance
Assist Operations and Maintenance personnel with troubleshooting issues and during emergencies
Participate in developing and updating project management procedures and standards
Complete special projects and perform all other duties as assigned
Review construction documents for design input
Conduct construction site inspections