Senior Administrator- Senior Project Manager, Strategic Projects

Wake County Public School System•Cary, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager represents Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in administering facility capital improvement projects and ensuring compliance with Board of Education procedures and policies. The role coordinates with school administrators and other staff to carry out construction work while minimizing disruption to school operations. It maintains project schedules and budgets, applies sound business principles and innovative cost-reduction methods, and uses available data systems to manage work and track performance. The position is based in Facilities Design & Construction (FD&C) at Crossroads III in Cary, North Carolina. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends, and the position is available for a hybrid telework workweek. The role is exempt and is not eligible for an employment contract. The work includes managing projects from budgeting and planning through design, bidding, construction, closeout, and warranty. The position works with contractors, design consultants, school personnel, agencies, and other stakeholders. It operates primarily in a professional office environment and also requires frequent, sometimes unscheduled, travel to construction sites. The effective date is September 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, facilities management, business administration, or a related field, and five years of progressively responsible relevant experience; or an associate degree or technical/trade education in a related field and seven years of progressively responsible relevant experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and ten years of an equivalent combination of education, training, trade experience, and relevant professional experience; or a combination of education and relevant experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Demonstrated experience coordinating or supervising construction, maintenance, repair, renovation, or building-system work in a relevant role.
Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Google Apps.
Working knowledge of computers and common office software, with the ability to learn project management, database, construction management, and building automation software used by WCPSS.
Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
Critical-thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to be proactive and apply technical knowledge to improve deliverables, with attention to detail to minimize errors.
Ability to communicate project information clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, with staff, contractors, consultants, school administrators, and other stakeholders.
Ability to accurately read, interpret, and comply with WCPSS and departmental procedures.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment that values open exchange of ideas and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Valid motor vehicle operator’s license meeting State of North Carolina requirements, which must be maintained.
Ability to navigate active construction sites, including extended walking and standing, climbing stairs, traversing uneven or unfinished surfaces, and ascending and descending ladders in accordance with safety requirements.
Ability to perform light physical work requiring exertion of up to ten pounds of force and, occasionally, to lift or carry items such as an 8-foot ladder weighing approximately 20–25 pounds.
Ability to drive automotive equipment and travel frequently to construction sites, including on an unscheduled basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience in general construction, facilities maintenance and operations, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building automation, site work, security, roofing, building envelope, or life-safety systems.
Experience planning or coordinating capital improvement, renovation, repair, or maintenance projects in occupied facilities.

Responsibilities

Prepare project budgets, management plans, and contracts; participate in coordinating alternative locations for school staff and students during pre-design.
Review design documents for compliance with Design Guidelines and construction cost estimates for adherence to project budgets; obtain required agency approvals during design.
Coordinate preparation of bid-process documentation, oversee bid reviews, and prepare recommendations for Board approval.
Review contractor schedules, monitor project progress, attend job-site meetings, and visit sites as required during construction.
Monitor change-order logs and status reports; process construction pay applications and change orders.
Conduct ongoing quality-control inspections to ensure compliance with Design Guidelines, contract documents, codes, and regulations.
Maintain technical records and files in accordance with department procedures.
Coordinate delivery of Owner-furnished items with appropriate personnel and obtain Certificates of Occupancy and other agency approvals.
Monitor punch-list completion; obtain certificate letters and warranties from contractors and design consultants, as well as as-builts and final documents or manuals during closeout and warranty.
Process final pay applications from contractors and design consultants.
Reconcile and close out purchase orders associated with current projects.
Schedule eleven-month warranty inspections and monitor completion of warranty-related work.
Perform other related duties as assigned.