Project Manager III

Special Instructions to Applicants: In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. A cover letter is welcomed but not required.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The project manager oversees all aspects of new construction and renovation projects, ensuring effective planning, execution, and completion. Responsibilities include developing budget estimates and reports, preparing project and contract documents, managing the selection and oversight of external design professionals, coordinating the preparation of construction documents, leading the contractor selection process, and guiding the project team through design and construction phases.

Rice University’s Facilities and Capital Planning (F&CP) project management group provides comprehensive project management services supporting improvements and maintenance of the University’s infrastructure, directing the architectural development of capital improvements, and providing consultation on maintenance issues. The F&CP project management team includes professional project managers who are responsible for managing all aspects of new construction and renovation projects on the Rice campus. This team delivers engineering and project management services to enhance and maintain campus infrastructure, guide the architectural development of capital improvements, and provide strategic support.

The ideal candidate can think critically, exercise independent judgment, set priorities, and solve problems. Should be a creative thinker with experience in project management, knowledge of contract management, and strong business acumen.

Workplace Requirements

This position is mainly on campus, offering the option to work remotely one day per week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Exempt positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3 years of related experience in construction/facilities project management

Skills: 

• Written and oral communication skills to address a wide variety of audiences
• Ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams
• Demonstrates project management ability to employ integrations, scope, time management, cost quality, human resources, communications, risk and procurement components
• Resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship building, and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
• Depth of knowledge in technical discipline/domain needed to deliver projects

Preferences

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in architecture, bachelor’s in mechanical or electrical engineering, or construction management
• License or certification in process if Architect or Engineer, within 3 years
• Five years of related experience, which includes at least five years of recent (within the past five years) relevant construction project management 
• Experience with the design and construction of facilities in an urban setting
• Knowledge and experience with Excel spreadsheets, Word, and Microsoft Project scheduling software
• Knowledge of and proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) 
• Skills
  • Ability to deal with stressful situations and critical issues with diplomacy
  • Ability to plan personal time and productivity to meet pressing deadlines
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team, receiving direction from various team leaders

Essential Functions

• Leads design and development of new projects
• Performs the full range of the project management cycle: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing
• Leads projects requiring functional integration
• Directs the development of an action plan, and estimates requirements for resources, including management, labor, materials, and time required to complete the project
• Researches and recommends new methods of construction or building materials to ensure that updated procedures or cost-effective alternates are applied
• Investigate installation failures and recommend corrections
• Participates in developing/updating project management procedures and standards with other department staff
• Completes special projects as needed
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Leads studies of architectural programming and space utilization; leads design and development of new projects while working closely with requesting client and other Rice project personnel
• Assists with administrative functions of coordinating documentation required for LEED certification; maintains record documents with assistance of department coordinator and organizes and schedules progress meetings

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:

• Be able to frequent construction site inspections at many locations, both on and off-campus
• Ability to climb a ladder
• Must be able and willing to enter all university spaces

Work Conditions:

• Work in shared spaces

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.