Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore College is engaged in an aspirational and robust capital planning and construction program that includes replacing the College’s steam district energy system with district carbon-free geoexchange, retiring the College’s Accumulated Deferred Maintenance through the Campus Renewal Program, and the adaptive reuse of Martin Hall. Planning efforts are underway for significant, phased upgrades to the College’s Athletics Complex. The College has recently completed a strategic plan that will lead to a campus master planning effort to guide the next decade of the capital program. All this is conducted with a sharp focus on environmental sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It is an exciting time to be at Swarthmore College!

The Swarthmore College campus includes over 70 buildings and 1,900,000 square feet of space on 425 acres that includes the Scott Arboretum.

The opportunity:

Sustainable Capital Planning and Project Management (SCPPM) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join our team of planners, project managers, and interior designers. The SCPPM department is responsible for all major and minor construction projects for Swarthmore College.

Reporting to the Director of Sustainable Capital Planning and Project Management (SCPPM), the Senior Project Manager position directs and manages new construction, renovation, user fit out, capital and campus renewal projects ranging in cost up to and often exceeding $5M and occasionally exceeding $50M. Typical assignments will include multiple projects with tight timelines, focused programs, challenging site logistics and fixed budgets. This position represents Swarthmore College to internal and external constituencies including faculty, staff, students, architects, engineers, trade partners, and local government on a variety of issues related to project development and delivery.

The Senior Project Manager provides excellent customer service by actively managing the entire design and construction project including initiation, programming, design, budget, construction and occupancy while providing timely and accurate updates to client representatives regarding project status, budget, and schedule.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of project execution including programming, scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, cost and change control.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse group of peers, organizations, project stakeholders, and the greater Swarthmore community. This includes project status and performance updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Shepherd a project through the public approval process.
• Prepare Requests for Qualifications or Proposals and oversee the consultant selection for assigned projects.
• Manage and direct procurement, subcontracts, services, and other financial obligations necessary for completion of a project. This may include design, construction, and consulting services depending on the scope of the project.
• Ensure project deliverables are being met on cost, schedule, and with particular attention that the performance scope meets its objectives. Coordinate with the project team to ensure the goals are met.
• Draft contracts using standard College agreements and ensure timely processing and execution of contracts.
• Support planning or feasibility studies and the transition of such studies into funded projects.
• Proving oversight of owner’s representatives when used on projects.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in the preparation of Board materials.
• Manage procurement of furniture, equipment, and moving support on College projects.
• Being an active member of maintaining accurate college records including floorplans, 3D building assets, photos, and close out documents.
• Participate on cross-functional college committees, when needed.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may occasionally supervise student workers or interns.

Who you are:

• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Abilities to work independently, to be a team leader, and to be a team member.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field or experience.
•  7 years of relevant experience on construction projects in the design team, general contractor, or owner’s representative.
•  Working knowledge of CAD, project management and drawing markup software.
•  Knowledge of design, construction, state and local building codes.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant experience on construction projects in a design team, general contractor, owner / owner’s representative role.
•  Experience in higher education renovation and construction projects of similar size and scope.
•  Experience in cost estimating, tracking and scheduling for capital projects.
•  Experience with Microsoft Office suite of products including Excel and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to physically access all areas of campus, including those listed under the working conditions.
• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders.
• Must be able to read construction documents and inspect campus spaces.
• Physical ability required to operate a vehicle (college vehicle, golf carts, and utility vehicles).
• This position requires the ability to focus for extended periods in a stationary position, including at a desk in front of a computer.

Working Conditions:

• This is an on-site position that requires both indoor and outdoor work in all season & weather conditions
• May occasionally access a roof, elevated work platform, mechanical rooms, utility tunnels, climb ladders, bend, traverse objects, navigate through construction sites.
• Exposure to noise, confined spaces, dust, dirt, and the outdoor elements.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations including a resume and cover letter by December 6, 2024. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Review the 2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.