Project Director, Design and Construction Capital Projects

Project Director, Design & Construction, Capital Projects

UChicago Medicine is looking for a visionary leader to direct growth and take overall responsibility for projects including budget and schedule, scope, consultant and contractor management, and oversight of all associated work efforts on major healthcare capital projects ranging from $30 to $500 million. The Director will coordinate internal resources, consultants, and contractors, develop and meet schedule milestones, support the Facility Operations team, and report on schedule and budgetary milestones to UCM leadership.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to ensure successful execution from inception to closeout and represent the Hospital Facilities Planning Design and Construction Department in leading all project management services for the development, design, construction, completion, and activation of University of Chicago Medical Center projects. This role supports delivery of major strategic and non‑strategic capital healthcare projects on the Hyde Park campus and at off‑site locations.

• Provide project management services for construction projects by managing cost, scope, schedule, resources, and risk, developing and documenting intended scope, identifying associated costs and schedules, and identifying required internal and external resources.
• Identify risks to project delivery and develop mitigating strategies to avoid or minimize potential negative outcomes; manage General Contractor or act as General Contractor and directly hire and manage MEPFP contractors.
• Direct and manage external resources such as contracted designers, builders, skilled trades, and other professional service providers or vendors; prepare RFPs, manage bid process, and make award recommendations.
• Manage the project design process, reviewing design and construction documents for completeness, constructability, coordination of disciplines, and adherence to UCM and regulatory agency guidelines; manage proposals through contract negotiations and agreement.
• Provide oversight of all project delivery activities, supporting planning and activation phases; manage multiple projects simultaneously, understanding interdependencies and constrained resources.
• Serve as a technical resource to other project managers and Plant Department staff for infrastructure, plant operations, and renovation & construction activities.
• Provide on‑site supervision of construction phases, chairing owner‑architect‑contractor progress meetings to ensure delivery consistent with contract documents and intended scope.
• Provide project controls by monitoring and approving invoices and expenses; develop, manage, and update project schedules; develop project charters and maintain change logs.
• Develop commissioning and turnover plans, manage punch lists, submit warranties/guarantees, provide system training, obtain certificates of occupancy, and approve final contractor payment applications.
• Demonstrate personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate effectively within the institution.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or equivalent education/experience.
• 10+ years of experience in the construction or design industry with significant project management of large capital projects.
• Proven track record managing scope, schedule, cost, risk, and resources in a capital project setting.
• Experience managing projects in a healthcare environment, including infection‑control protocols and mitigation strategies (strongly preferred).
• Expertise analyzing construction costs and schedules; ability to provide data‑driven analysis for troubleshooting.
• Prior experience managing consultants and outside architects, engineers, and professional service firms, and managing contractors and subcontractors to contractual requirements and fixed budgets.
• Familiarity with design‑build, design‑bid‑build, lump‑sum, unit‑pricing, time‑and‑material, cost‑plus, and other construction methods.
• Activation experience with large academic medical programs (strongly preferred).
• Excellent written and oral communication…