Director of Project Management

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena, CA

Full-time - Director

Pasadena, CA

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Project Management (DPM) at Caltech plays a pivotal role in leading the project management team within the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Department. This position is crucial for ensuring that all project management services align with Caltech's mission of advancing research and education. The DPM will report directly to the Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) and will be responsible for overseeing a wide range of capital improvement projects as well as annual laboratory and office renewal projects across the expansive Caltech campus, which spans 4.75 million square feet on 127 acres. In this leadership role, the DPM will coordinate and direct project management services, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. The DPM will work closely with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external contractors, to facilitate effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. This position requires a strategic mindset, as the DPM will need to prioritize projects based on the institution's goals and resource availability. The DPM will also be responsible for developing and implementing project management best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the team, and mentoring project managers to enhance their skills and capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management within a complex organizational environment, preferably in an academic or research institution, and will be adept at navigating the unique challenges that come with managing projects in such settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the project management team within the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Department.
• Oversee the effective management of capital improvement projects and annual laboratory and office renewal projects.
• Coordinate project management services to ensure alignment with Caltech's research and education mission.
• Develop and implement project management best practices and standards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the project management team.
• Mentor and support project managers to enhance their skills and capabilities.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external contractors to facilitate effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prioritize projects based on institutional goals and resource availability.

Requirements

• Proven experience in project management, preferably in an academic or research institution.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and implement project management best practices.
• Experience in managing large-scale capital improvement projects.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with the unique challenges of managing projects in a research or academic environment.
• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2).
• Experience with facilities planning and construction processes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements.