Senior Project Manager - Life Science Construction

Turner & Townsend • San Diego, CA

17h • $160,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join its Life Sciences team. The role leads complex life sciences capital construction projects from inception through completion and closeout, including laboratory fit-outs, renovations, facility upgrades and new construction. The Senior Project Manager manages multidisciplinary teams and client relationships, with accountability for project budgets, schedules, risks, quality, stakeholder coordination, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.

The position requires coordinating work in technically complex life sciences environments, including operational or regulated facilities. The successful candidate will work with client leadership, end users, design consultants, contractors and suppliers to meet technical and operational requirements. Project work may include R&D laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and similar facilities. The stated salary range for this full-time role is $160,000–$190,000 per year, base salary only. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects within the life sciences sector, including R&D laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or similarly technically complex facilities.
• Proven experience independently managing capital construction projects valued at $10 million–$50 million or more.
• Strong understanding of laboratory infrastructure, critical building systems, MEP coordination and requirements for projects in operational or regulated environments.
• Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook; Procore; and other construction project management tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GMP facilities.
• Exposure to larger, complex capital programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and industry-standard platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6, cost management systems and project reporting tools.
• PMP, CCM or equivalent professional certification.
• LEED AP or other relevant industry qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of complex construction projects from inception through completion and closeout.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of life sciences capital projects, including laboratory fit-outs, renovations, facility upgrades and new construction.
• Manage client, architect, engineer, contractor, consultant, supplier and other stakeholder relationships.
• Develop, monitor and manage project schedules, budgets, milestones and deliverables, and proactively identify and mitigate cost, schedule and quality risks.
• Establish and maintain project governance, reporting procedures and management systems in accordance with client and company requirements.
• Oversee multiple projects or workstreams and ensure compliance with approved designs, specifications and applicable standards.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams to ensure deliverables meet project objectives, technical requirements and schedules.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants and suppliers, maintaining accountability for deliverables, actions and decisions.
• Lead regular project meetings, facilitate communication and ensure timely resolution of outstanding issues.
• Review and challenge project schedules, cost reports, design submissions, contractor proposals and progress reports.
• Provide technical and commercial oversight, including constructability reviews, value engineering, change management and cost control.
• Coordinate timely review and resolution of RFIs, submittals and other construction-related queries.
• Work with client stakeholders and end users to understand operational requirements in technically complex life sciences environments.
• Manage design development, procurement, construction, commissioning and closeout, with accountability for project budgets, schedules, risk, quality and stakeholder coordination.
• Oversee construction progress, commissioning, handover and closeout to ensure compliance with project requirements and client expectations.
• Prepare and present project status reports covering progress, risks, decisions and required actions.
• Build and maintain client relationships, provide proactive advice and identify opportunities to support broader client objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance to project teams and support informed decision-making.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of project delivery processes and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable company policies, financial controls and SOX requirements where relevant.
• Work with client leadership, design consultants, contractors and end users to manage technical requirements and operational constraints, including delivery within active facilities.

Benefits

• The company promotes a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• Employees have the opportunity and voice to affect change.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior