Construction Project Manager

Position Title: Construction Project Manager

Department: Facilities Services

Advertised Pay: Upper $80,000’s to Mid $90,000’s

Campus Location: Washburn University

Application Deadline: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by May 18, 2026.

Position Summary: The Construction Project Manager will provide professional project management of design and construction projects for university facilities. Projects may include new construction, fit-out of shell spaces, renovation of existing spaces, and maintenance of existing buildings and campus infrastructure.

About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrate leadership, management, organization, and communication skills. Provide excellent customer service to meet client needs and university standards.
• Provide professional direction for project teams to achieve common goals and successful projects.
• Provide consistent, timely, and reliable communication between all project stakeholders, including clients, professional service providers, university personnel, and contractors, to ensure that projects are thoroughly documented and understood.
• Lead the development of project scope, budget, and schedule for multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
• Manage and track project budgets and schedules to ensure timely completion of projects within the established budgets and develop reports as directed.
• Maintain up-to-date project reporting.
• Coordinate in-house review of contract documents with appropriate departments and staff.
• Procure services of design professionals, contractors, and vendors, and administer agreements.
• Review and approve requisitions and payments to contractors, architects, engineers, and vendors.
• Coordinate with contractors and other personnel as necessary to manage change orders and any other issues identified during the build phase.
• Administer rules and policies relating to architectural excellence and construction priorities, and recommend new and improved programs for effectively managing construction and renovation projects.
• Stay abreast of legislation, building codes, building materials and methods, and university design and construction standards.
• Learn and maintain awareness of project safety requirements, following OSHA standards.
• Participate in committees, task forces, etc., to improve the departmental mission of excellent customer service and project delivery.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or related field.
• Six or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, contract administration, technical supervision, and construction and project management.
• Proven ability to interpret architectural/construction drawings, specifications, codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology in designing, estimating, planning, and inspecting construction projects and managing project schedules.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of project planning, development, and evaluation.
• Experience with permitting, code compliance, and local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Proven effective abilities to organize and execute small and large projects.
• Effective technical writing skills sufficient to author contracts, specifications, reports, and general office, university, or departmental policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of complex and detailed technical contract language.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proven proficiency using basic office equipment, personal computer, and Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word software.
• A demonstrated knowledge of building codes, ADA, planning, design, and construction.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs.
• Capable of lifting and maneuvering equipment weighing up to fifty pounds.
• May be required to travel, including to remote work sites.
• May be required to work on-call, weekends, and evenings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience utilizing Computer aided drafting (CAD).
• Licensees/Certifications/Registration.

Exempt, Full-time, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Background Check Required

Washburn University is committed to providing an environment for individuals to pursue educational and employment opportunities free from discrimination and/or harassment. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.

Washburn University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants for employment. If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please email benefits@washburn.edu or call 785-670-1538 at least five (5) business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.