Senior Project Manager (Education) in San Diego, California at Harris & Associates

Who We Are
Our Education team partners with K-12 school districts, community colleges, and universities to design and manage transformative programs that align with their goals. We partner with institutions on projects including:

• Modernization and expansion of facilities
• Infrastructure improvements for safety and sustainability
• Development of specialized spaces such as laboratories, research centers, and classrooms.

If you're a driven professional looking for a collaborative environment, work that makes a difference, and a firm that invests heavily in your growth, you could be a perfect fit for Harris & Associates.

The Project Manager is involved in the project from its early stages and assists the Owner with the development of project budgets, overall project schedules, selection of the design team and other tasks as requested. The PM monitors the development of project plans and specifications, updates project budgets and schedule as the project evolves, and assists the Owner with the bidding (where applicable) and award of the project.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for multiple concurrent K-12 capital improvement and construction projects, ensuring alignment with district objectives, funding requirements, and long term facilities plans.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to district executives, school boards, and senior stakeholders on project delivery strategies, procurement methods, risk mitigation, and capital program implementation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for school district representatives, contractors, architects, engineers, regulatory agencies, and Harris staff, facilitating effective communication, resolving complex project issues, and driving timely decision-making. Maintain overall accountability for project performance, client satisfaction, and successful project delivery.
• Provide comprehensive administrative, technical, and operational leadership throughout all phases of construction, from pre-bid planning and procurement through construction, commissioning, closeout, and final acceptance. Ensure compliance with district policies, applicable codes, DSA requirements, and contract documents.
• Direct and oversee all construction activities to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with approved plans, specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Proactively identify project risks and implement corrective actions to mitigate impacts to cost, schedule, and quality.
• Lead project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting activities, providing regular updates to district leadership and other stakeholders regarding project status, risks, milestones, and financial performance.
• Facilitate project meetings, prepare meeting agendas and minutes, track action items, and ensure timely resolution of outstanding issues.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development to team.
• Support business development efforts through client relationship management, proposal development, interview participation, and identification of future project opportunities

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field
• 8+ years of project, construction, or program management experience with 5+ years of relevant project management experience
• Experience with Division of State Architect (DSA) projects required with specific K-12 experience highly experience
• OSHA-10 certification (required within 1 month of hiring)
• Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record
• Additional certifications/licenses such as PMP or CCM highly preferred

About Harris
Harris & Associates is a 100% employee-owned company focused on solving today's complex challenges in the planning, designing, and constructing of public infrastructure. We serve clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets to build equitable, resilient, and sustainable communities by providing a long-term financial framework as they plan their future. Our offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, and Washington with a staff of over 280 employee-owners.

Harris fosters a collaborative work environment, understanding that diverse perspectives enhance our ability to better serve our clients and their communities. We are deeply passionate about our work, our clients, our team’s personal and professional growth. We offer a mentorship program, on-the-job training, Harris University, and an annual staff summit all aimed at developing well-rounded consultants proficient in the full spectrum of services we provide. Additionally, we prioritize a healthy work-life balance and organized social and team building events.

Compensation & Benefits
The annual salary range offered for this position is $140K-165K. Actual pay offered will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.

In addition to base salary, we also offer:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• ESOP
• 401K Match
• PTO, 8 Paid Holidays + "1 WorkAversary" paid holiday to celebrate you!
• Health & Well-Being Allowance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible hybrid/remote work plans
• Paid Leave Programs such as maternity, parentally, and family medical leave

Harris & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability) and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Harris expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

#LI-ONSITE