Project Manager

Employer: Appalachian State University

Location: North Carolina, United States

Salary: $80,591 - $102,000

Date posted: Oct 3, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Facilities

Employment Level: Mid-Level

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Details

Department: Facilities Operations - Planning, Design and Construction - 410400

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a registered architect or professional engineer in the State of North Carolina or be able to obtain comity within one year of employment is preferred.
• Verbal and Written communication skills required.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications and other project scheduling and management software.
• Ability to use AutoCAD and Revit software.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Knowledge and ability to develop project budgets and work within budgetary guidelines.
• Ability to work alone or in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain a professional working relationship with co-workers, clients, contractors, town officials, and others as required.
• Strong attention to detail is required.
• Experience with State and Federal contracting.
• Ability to operate University-owned vehicles with a valid driver's license.

License/Certification Required

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in engineering relevant to the area of assignment. Administering the class; certain positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Must be a registered architect or professional engineer in the State of North Carolina or be able to obtain comity within one year of employment is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in engineering relevant to the area of assignment. Administering the class; certain positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Must be a registered architect or professional engineer in the State of North Carolina or be able to obtain comity within one year of employment is preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager oversees the work of architects, engineers, construction management firms, and general contractors hired by the University to design and construct capital projects. Other Duties include and are not limited to:

• Ensures the work performed by these firms meet the University's project intent and design standards.
• Ensures projects are delivered within budget and on time.
• Monitors consultant and contractor work to insure compliance with University and State Construction Office regulations and procedures.
• Manages the formal processes for construction administration and assists with negotiating consultant contracts.
• A valid driver's license and ability to operate state motor fleet vehicles is also required.

Leadership (10%)

• Proactively serve as the project lead for the University by setting up project meetings as needed to accomplish project goals: inviting the appropriate stakeholders, ensuring that agenda for project meetings are distributed one week in advance of the meetings, meeting minutes are accurate and distributed to interested parties, and action items are noted and assigned to specific individuals for completion, and follow up that all items are addressed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the project goals and ensure that goals are achieved.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors and consultants of the project team and within the University to ensure that all facets of the project comply with codes, the Master Plan, Design and Construction Guidelines, state and University requirements, including the basis for design, building systems are integrated, infrastructure and following procedures as required.
• Ensure that the project complies with requirements and is coordinated in a timely fashion with all governing bodies and agencies, such as Office of State Construction, Town of Boone, DEHNR, etc.
• Provide feedback to all project team members as to their performance and provide "lessons learned" for achieving higher levels of success on future projects as needed.

Design & Analysis (15%)

• Develop project scope, schedule and budget based on existing conditions, stated programmatic goals, master planning and design guidelines, available funding and knowledge of architectural and engineering principles.
• Monitor scope and manage the design review process, verifying that team stakeholders understand the documents and impacts of decisions.
• Coordinate with campus entities with regard to adjacent users, utilities, etc. to maximize the project integration and minimize the negative impacts of construction.
• Monitor design and construction, including changes and requests for payments, ensuring the University's best interest are maintained.
• Negotiate design and construction contracts, amendments and change orders for value and accuracy.
• Receive bids on assigned projects and analyze bids to determine the low bidder, if alternates will be accepted and make an award recommendation to Associate Director.

Engineering Review, Decision Making & Analysis (15%)

• Review plans, specifications, shop drawings and submittals to ensure documents are in compliance with Mater Plan Guiding Principles, Design and Construction Guidelines, applicable codes, programmatic requirements and accepted architectural and engineering practices.
• Monitor construction progress by attending weekly and monthly meetings, inspect work of contractors, and ensure that construction is being completed per approved documents.
• Work with architect, engineer, campus clients and others as needed to resolve unforeseen issues that arise.
• Review progress and approve payments to designers and contractors based on professional practices, standards and contractual obligations.

Project Management (10%)

• Proactively serve as the project lead from the initiation of the project through construction, including establishing and attending project meetings during design and construction, making sure that meeting minutes are accurate and maintained in project file.
• Lead the space planning, programming and design effort and monitor accomplishment of the stated needs throughout design and construction.
• Review design proposals, contracts and amendments, negotiating fair and reasonable fees.
• Review construction contracts (including CMR) and change orders, negotiating the changes, fees and time as appropriate.
• Using available software systems and filing protocols, maintain accurate records for project progress, budget, scope and schedule.
• Complete designer selection process and contract execution according to the accepted practices and within the timelines established by the University and Office of State Construction.
• Ensure that plans and specifications meet all applicable codes, guidelines and standards as required for the project and that projects are reviewed by all interested parties.
• Provide consolidated list of design review comments for all phases of design to the contracted design firm.
• Ensure that clients understand the submitted documents so they know what end product they will receive once the project is complete.
• Lead the selection process for Construction Manager at Risk or pre-qualification as needed for assigned project, ensuring that all applicable procedures are followed.
• Schedule and lead the pre-bid meetings, ensuring that emphasis is placed on recruitment of HUB firms.
• Serve as the University representative at bid opening for assigned projects, evaluating the bids and preparing a bid summary and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Complete a budget worksheet at the initiation of the project and monitor it throughout design and construction.
• Review and approve invoices and payments for contracted firms, making sure that funds are available prior to any approvals.
• Update project schedules on a monthly basis by providing a marked up copy of the project Primavera schedule, including any specifics as needed to indicate a comprehensive and accurate timeline.
• Proactively oversee the final inspection, punchlist and closeout process according to the protocols of the Office of State Construction.

Professional Knowledge (10%)

• Complete cost estimates, OC-25 worksheets, develop budget worksheets for projects on an as needed basis.
• Maintain professional license and complete regular training and development courses to stay abreast of codes, procedures and professional practices.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors and consultants of the project team and within the University to ensure that all facets of the project comply with codes, the Master Plan, Design and Construction Guidelines, state and University requirements, including the basis for design, building systems are integrated, infrastructure and following procedures as required.
• Ensure that the project complies with requirements and is coordinated in a timely fashion with all governing bodies and agencies, such as Office of State Construction, Town of Boone, DEHNR, etc.
• Monitor design activities and inspect and monitor construction activities to ensure work is being completed and performed according to project needs, project goals, according to contract documents, shop drawings and submittals and according to accepted architectural, engineering and construction practices.

Communication (40%)

• Develop positive working relationships with project teams, including architects, engineers, contractors, campus stakeholders, Town members and others associated with projects assigned.
• Set up project meetings to develop programmatic needs, project budget, create project schedule and to facilitate all stakeholders' understanding of these elements of the project.
• Educate stakeholders of the design and construction process.
• Educate stakeholders and project team of the University expectations: following Master Plan Guiding Principles, Design and Construction Guidelines, design and review process, construction process and impacts, procurement processes, project budget and schedule.
• Notify Associate Director bi-weekly of project updates, including schedule, budget, authority, construction progress or any other related issues.
• Notify Associate Director immediately of any significant budget or schedule related problems for projects assigned.
• Advertise for designer and contractor selections and pre-qualifications, including campus and design team stakeholders as appropriate.
• Notify designers and contractors if they are not meeting expectations and ensure that they are accomplishing their contractual obligations.
• Using the most current tools available (i.e. software), provide reports as requested.
• Obtain project team "sign off" for each phase of design prior to continuing to the next phase.
• Prior to authorizing any payments to contracted entities, verify funds available and notify Associate Director if an issue regarding authority or funding is imminent.

Work Schedule/Hours: Primary schedule of Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Other hours may be needed in order to complete job deadlines / responsibilities.

Suggested Salary Range: $80,591- $102,000

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 05/23/2025

To apply, visit https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/51070

Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.