Senior Construction Manager

About Harvard Medical School

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership. You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

Job Description

The Planning, Design and Construction Office (PD&C) seeks an experienced Senior Construction Manager (SrCM) to join the Project Management team responsible for the planning, design, construction, and turnover of capital projects across Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) campus. The SrCM plays a key role in executing HMS’s Five-Year Capital Plan and Campus Renewal Program, providing field-based construction leadership and coordination across multiple active projects. Reporting to the Director of Design and Construction, the Construction Manager serves as the Medical School’s on-site construction representative, overseeing construction activities to ensure projects meet established schedule, budget, safety, and quality objectives. The SrCM works closely with project managers, contractors, consultants, campus stakeholders, and Facilities staff to lead work within active academic, laboratory, and research environments.

This position requires full-time on-site presence and work hours that align with construction operations. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support shutdowns or critical project activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Preconstruction:

• Lead site investigations including escorting architects, engineers, and consultants, and overseeing existing conditions surveys.
• Administer pre-bid walkthroughs and contractor site visits.
• Oversee hazardous materials testing and abatement in collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
• Identify and coordinate impacts to critical building systems and utilities (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, steam, telecommunications), including planning and execution of shutdowns.
• Develop and manage occupant communication plans related to construction impacts (e.g., outages, noise, vibration, access restrictions).
• Ensure contractor adherence to safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).
• Spearhead and coordinate system testing, balancing, and readiness activities (pre- and post-construction).
• Oversee logistics related to furniture and equipment relocation, storage, and reinstallation.
• Partner with Facilities staff and campus stakeholders to define emergency response coordination.

Construction Phase:

• Oversee field construction activities, ensuring contractor work complies with contract documents, University design guidelines, and safety requirements.
• Optimize contractor performance related to schedule progress, safety practices, construction means and methods, and site logistics.
• Lead site logistics planning with vendors to establish material storage, waste removal, access routes, loading dock use, and construction staging areas.
• Advise on contractor crane lift plans, logistics plans, and rigging strategies.
• Administer Harvard University police details and safety measures required for crane operations, overhead work, and pedestrian protection.
• Direct scheduling and coordination of specialty contractors, including low-voltage systems, building controls, security systems, and audiovisual vendors.
• Establish regular construction coordination meetings with contractors and project stakeholders.
• Lead access to occupied spaces for construction activities when required.
• Ensure building systems and utilities impacted by construction are properly restored and operational upon completion of work.
• Implement and lead periodic inspections with Facilities staff for in-wall inspections, equipment reviews, and systems training.
• Represent PD&C at weekly Campus Planning and Facilities coordination meetings to provide project updates and ensure campus operational alignment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to access active construction sites, including climbing stairs and ladders, and navigating unfinished construction areas.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of construction experience, preferably in a field leadership role such as senior construction superintendent, general superintendent, or field operations manager.
• Experience managing major renovation and construction projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related building construction discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Certificates and Licenses: Valid or prior Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and/or City of Boston ABC Supervisor License.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience working within a University, healthcare, or other large institutional environment.
• Strong experience with wet laboratory and vivarium construction and renovations, including coordination of specialized MEP systems within occupied research facilities.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing construction administration for complex capital projects.
• Knowledge of construction project delivery methods, including: Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Construction Manager at Risk (CMR/GMP), Design-Build (D/B).
• Thorough understanding of all construction phases, including: Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Procurement and Buyout, Construction Administration, Project Closeout and Turnover.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, including: Mechanical (HVAC), Electrical, High voltage, and Plumbing, Steam and Chilled Water, Fire Alarm and Fire Protection, Controls and Building Automation, Low-voltage systems and audiovisual infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to: Direct multiple concurrent projects, Oversee complex construction activities in occupied facilities, Communicate effectively with contractors, consultants, and stakeholders, Solve problems and make decisions in dynamic construction environments.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Technical Skills:

Working knowledge of industry-standard construction and office software, including: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Project, Bluebeam Revu, Procore, AutoCAD (review level).

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week- This position is considered to be essential personnel for the Department of Campus Planning and Facilities. Weekend and holiday work may be required as well as attendance during school closures (due to inclement weather and/or other emergencies). Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Certification/License.

Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: Generous paid time off including parental leave, Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one, Retirement plans with university contributions, Wellbeing and mental health resources, Support for families and caregivers, Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement, Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of the society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Key skills/competency

• Senior Construction Manager
• Construction Management
• Project Management
• Capital Projects
• Site Investigations
• Contractor Oversight
• Safety Protocols
• Building Systems
• Construction Administration
• Harvard Medical School