Senior Project Manager (Construction Project Coordinator 4)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies, other public entities, and Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. The Facility Professional Services (FPS) Division provides professional public works project management, energy efficiency, and facility planning services. As a Senior Project Manager and client advocate for assigned state facilities within the Engineering & Architectural Services Program (EAS), you will lead a team of project managers as well as provide project management by overseeing the design, contract administration, and construction of complex public works projects for the Washington State Military Department. In this senior supervisory role, you will guide and back up team members, assist leadership with project assignments, and direct and review private design firms’ work to ensure high-quality designs, specifications, and cost controls for construction of state projects. Additionally, you will partner with clients on capital planning and biennial budget requests, while providing high-level oversight on key collaborative projects with the Washington State Military Department. Throughout all operations, you will drive continuous improvement by actively applying and promoting Lean principles to deliver efficient, cost-effective services.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years of combined relevant education and/or experience.
• Seasoned experience in the management of all phases of the state's capital construction program and ability to make critical decisions affecting design and construction.
• Knowledge of theory, principals, and practices of architectural design, with emphasis on planning and design of public buildings and facilities.
• Knowledge of architectural and building materials, construction methods, construction scheduling, and contract administration.
• Knowledge of design services, construction cost estimating, and government capital budget procedures.
• Qualifying education includes major study in architecture, engineering, or construction management from an accredited institution.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while directing consultants, contractors, and FPS team members through workload prioritization, assignment, review, and approval.
• Collaborate effectively and communicate professionally with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including engineers, architects, client agencies, and contractors.
• Adapt flexibly to shifting business needs while demonstrating strong initiative, proficiency in core business software, and a collaborative work ethic.
• Willingness and initiative to partner with customers and vendors to achieve desired outcomes, and build upon working relationships, acquiring a keen perspective on the customer’s business and operational needs using a broadening perspective to help resolve more complex and difficult issues.
• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect in the State of Washington or in a state having reciprocity.
• Familiarity with Washington State legislative processes, database software and digital communications, LEED objectives and practices, and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process.
• Experience with quality assurance efforts, constructability checks, life cycle cost analysis, and resolving contractor disputes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise assigned project managers, guiding team project assignments, financial plans, and contractual approvals (including agreements, amendments, and change orders).
• Oversee the complete lifecycle of major public works projects, by managing design, construction, delivery methods, scope, schedules, and budgets.
• Ensure full statutory and policy compliance across all project operations, aligning with RCWs, WACs, DES standards, and grant or funding requirements while coordinating closely with contract specialists and external consultants.
• Direct and oversee all project delivery phases for concurrent public works and facility improvements, from initial planning, design, and permitting through bidding, construction, and final close-out.
• Provide comprehensive contract and construction administration, performing periodic site inspections, tracking critical paths, and resolving punch list or warranty claim issues to achieve substantial completion.
• Manage financial performance and administrative approvals by evaluating project invoices, contract amendments, and change order proposals to ensure budgets remain within authorized limits.
• Supervise and collaborate with staff, private consultants, and contractors to define scopes of work, review work products, and maintain strict alignment with project schedules and cost estimates.
• Contract and manage concurrent architectural and engineering design services for state facility projects, negotiating consultant fees per OFM guidelines and approving bid documents, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Perform comprehensive technical reviews of work products from staff, private consultants, and contractors while tracking project documentation, including RFIs, ASIs, and field authorizations through construction and closeout.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks through collaborative problem-solving, advising leadership of schedule or budget threats while strictly monitoring cost controls, bid estimates, A/E fee proposals, and contractual milestone deadlines throughout design and construction.
• Other duties as needed.

Benefits

• The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

What This Job Offers

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