Senior Construction Project Manager - Research Facilities

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, NC

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About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, architecture, construction management, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least five years managing research facility projects (wet/dry labs, vivarium, core instrumentation suites, nano/cleanroom spaces, etc.)
• Demonstrated expertise 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
• Demonstrates an understanding 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)

Nice To Haves

• 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.)

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.

Benefits

• university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• immediate leave accrual
• a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees