Senior Project Manager (K-12 Program & Construction Management)

Brailsford and Dunlavey • San Jose, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex K-12 capital projects. This role involves navigating politically nuanced school district environments and serving as a trusted advisor to institutional stakeholders. B&D partners with institutions, municipalities, and organizations to shape and deliver complex real estate and capital projects, providing strategic insight and end-to-end advisory services. The combined firm, after joining forces with Project Management Advisors, offers expanded capabilities across industries and throughout the project lifecycle. This role is ideal for someone who understands public-sector work, balancing district priorities, stakeholder expectations, public accountability, and complex capital programs with professionalism and sound judgment. The successful candidate will lead large-scale implementation efforts, guiding clients through decisions related to schedule, budget, quality, operational continuity, and long-term facilities planning. This role is fully onsite in Oakland, CA.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, construction management, engineering, business, finance, urban planning, real estate management, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience leading large-scale construction implementation programs, preferably within K-12 or public-sector environments.
• Strong understanding of school construction, capital improvement programs, implementation strategy, and facilities planning.
• Experience working within politically complex stakeholder environments such as public school districts, municipalities, or institutional organizations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously while balancing schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholder priorities.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation abilities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated commitment to client service, ethical business practices, and operational excellence.
• Ability to work independently while thriving within collaborative team environments.
• Reliable transportation required.

Nice To Haves

• You understand how to operate effectively within school district environments where public accountability, stakeholder alignment, and political dynamics matter.
• You bring both strategic thinking and implementation discipline to complex capital programs.
• You know how to guide clients through difficult decisions while maintaining trust and momentum.
• You are highly organized, adaptable, and calm under pressure.
• You lead proactively rather than reactively and can anticipate project challenges before they escalate.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale K-12 capital improvement and construction implementation projects, including programs exceeding $75M in total project value.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to school district leadership, providing strategic guidance on project execution, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and delivery.
• Direct implementation activities related to school construction, modernization, deferred maintenance, heat and ventilation mitigation initiatives, sustainability improvements, and capital asset management.
• Develop and oversee project budgets, schedules, project charters, implementation plans, procurement coordination, permitting activities, and quality control efforts.
• Coordinate and manage internal and external project teams, including district personnel, consultants, architects, contractors, subconsultants, and JV partners.
• Support long-range facilities planning and capital asset management initiatives in alignment with district master plans and operational priorities.
• Evaluate existing business practices, identify process improvement opportunities, and help implement more efficient project delivery workflows.
• Lead project reporting, presentations, written deliverables, and executive-level communications tailored to client goals and stakeholder needs.
• Conduct project closeout and after-action evaluations to assess effectiveness, identify lessons learned, and improve future implementation efforts.
• Support business development and relationship management efforts through strategic client engagement, conference participation, thought leadership, and proposal development.
• Contribute to mentorship, training, QA/QC initiatives, and the continued development of project staff and firmwide best practices.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits include 100% company-paid medical, dental, and prescription coverage, a targeted 7% employer-contribution 401(k), generous PTO, and more.

What This Job Offers

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