Senior Project Manager – Design, Engineering, and Construction

City and County of Denver • Aurora, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager will lead project development, coordination, planning, and delivery for Denver International Airport (DEN) facility construction projects associated with the current and future Airport Capital Improvement Plan, as well as other projects that may arise. The work includes developing strategies, assessing feasibility, and supporting implementation for construction around the Terminal, Concourses, and outlying buildings. The role helps maintain continuity of airport operations, align project schedules, optimize systems, and reduce impacts to DEN customers.

The position delivers complex, high-value facility projects critical to the airport’s success, including major rehabilitation and new construction involving building-envelope, mechanical, structural, and electrical systems in secure and non-secure airport areas. The Senior Project Manager also helps lead and mentor staff, monitors adherence to design and construction standards and processes, advances section and project objectives, and evaluates program-delivery methods and procedures. The role requires coordination with DEN stakeholders, project managers, architects, engineers, subject matter experts, consultants, contractors, utility companies, other city agencies, and intergovernmental organizations.

The position follows a hybrid workplace model, with at least three days per week on site at the DEN JAG Building in Aurora and at project locations on the DEN campus and properties. Employees must work within Colorado on off-site days. DEN employees may be required to work extended hours and/or shifts during weather events or emergencies. An FBI criminal background check is required; a pre-employment physical and drug test may be required depending on the position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Public Administration, or a related field; one year of appropriate experience may substitute for each required year of post-high-school education, and additional appropriate education may substitute for minimum experience requirements.
• At least three years of professional project management experience in the related occupational group, including planning, managing, and scheduling projects and preparing and reviewing contract documents.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of application; licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• Ability to work within the state of Colorado on off-site workdays.
• Ability to complete the required FBI criminal background check and report felony convictions and/or moving violations to maintain airport clearance.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and strength in building relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information and project updates clearly.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of progressive experience delivering large-scale facility and infrastructure projects, ideally in architectural, engineering, or construction-management environments.
• Experience managing complex projects in operational environments, such as large commercial airports or continuously operating facilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field.
• Professional licensure or PMP certification.
• Skill in managing full project lifecycles, including design and construction contracts, project delivery methods, and stakeholder coordination.
• Proficiency in analyzing, maintaining, and reporting project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Ability to proactively identify, prioritize, and mitigate project risks and drive innovations that improve project and team performance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including intergovernmental organizations, utility companies, city agencies, consultants, and contractors.
• Consult with DEN stakeholders and project sponsors to establish project plans and goals, define scope and objectives, and develop work plans covering schedules, funding limits, contract costs, risks, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Prepare project bid materials with professional consultant teams and cost estimates with DEN Project Controls staff; evaluate bid qualifications and proposals, and coordinate project designs, concepts, and completion timeframes with stakeholders.
• Lead project teams and assignments, coordinate contractors’ and consultants’ work, assist inspectors with difficult or unusual code-compliance issues, keep team members focused, and allocate resources effectively.
• Matrix-manage or coordinate and direct consultants and other personnel assigned to projects or project components; define and manage change control and quality assurance processes.
• Coordinate complex project management work by monitoring design and construction, tracking schedules, overseeing costs and expenditures, ensuring conformance with engineering standards and contract specifications, and advising management on risks, costs, and resource allocation.
• Review and evaluate design drawings, specifications, and project-development documents for permits, including reviewing and approving traffic-control plans.
• Review projects for compliance with engineering codes and standards; monitor quality, identify ways to overcome scope, schedule, and budget barriers, verify materials against specifications, review calculations, and conduct field and site inspections.
• Help lead and mentor staff, monitor adherence to design and construction standards and processes, champion project and section objectives, and evaluate program-delivery methods and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Guaranteed lifelong monthly pension after vesting with five years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within the first year.
• 12 paid holidays, one personal holiday, one wellness day, and one volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within one month of the start date.

What This Job Offers

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