Senior Project Manager (0364U), Residential and Student Services Programs #86958

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Residential and Student Services Programs is part of the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP).

RSSP provides and manages residential student housing, residential life programs, custodial and maintenance services, capital and minor capital projects, self-operated dining services for undergraduate and graduate students and 970 family apartments, as well as child care services for students, faculty, and staff. RSSP also conducts a year-round conference program.

Position Summary

The Senior Project Manager manages the design and construction of capital projects and planned major maintenance projects, including renovations, expansions, and new facilities and infrastructure, as well as landscape projects. This position collects, develops, and analyzes technical data to determine project requirements and prepares information regarding specifications, materials, equipment, estimated costs, and completion times. The Senior Project Manager assists in the development, planning, and prioritization of capital improvement, major maintenance, and space planning programs for all RSSP facilities, including residence halls, dining facilities, apartments, child care, staff offices, historic structures, and commercial venues.

This position leverages advanced skills and technical expertise to assess existing conditions and develop optimum project delivery across the complex and geographically dispersed RSSP facility portfolio which includes over 3M square feet across over 150 buildings. The Senior Project Manager collaborates with outside agencies and Campus partners on shared projects and coordinates project processes from initiation to financial closure. Additionally, this position supervises the RSSP project workflow, including work orders, and provides guidance to the Design & Projects team on project processes, especially in compliance with UCOP, Campus, and code requirements. The Senior Project Manager also manages the RSSP building standards and the library of drawings, specifications, reports, and products, both paper and electronic, for the benefit of groups within RSSP, Student Affairs, and Campus; as well as outside design professionals, vendors, and contractors. This position coordinates supporting data for the RSSP computerized maintenance management system and supervises the CAD Specialist position.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is July 2, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Campus and periodically independent of Campus determining delivery method and bids or negotiates construction contracts; and reviews, manages and oversees construction activities, including contractor's schedule, RFIs, Submittals, Change Order Requests, and Punch List; specializes and focuses in monitoring construction milestones.
• Acts as RSSP liaison among project participants and resolves problems or conflicts, including recommending a range of solutions to disputed issues or contractor claims.
• Ensures the project is properly closed out and Operations & Maintenance Manuals and record drawings are turned over to RSSP.
• Develops criteria and performance specifications required to meet unique operating requirements and multiple building and safety codes (residential, commercial, child care, dining, etc.); ensures plans and specifications conform to all codes and regulations.
• For RSSP maintenance projects may prepare plans, details, and/or specifications; informally bid or negotiate project work; and oversee construction activities.
• Supervises and provides guidance to other RSSP project managers, project coordinators and analysts.
• Ensures that projects progress and complete per standards.
• Emphasizes completing project data to develop into department metrics.
• Manages the project program, including meeting with clients to help define both project scope and program.
• Formally establishes campus projects, including working with other units, departments, and the Office of the President to facilitate this effort and ensure funding transferred.
• Coordinates with Campus and periodically independent of Campus hiring architectural, engineering and consultant firms to develop project requirement definitions, design criteria; prepares layouts and detail drawings; provides leadership expertise, direction and management of the engineers, architects and other consultants.
• Prepares and approves cost estimates, functional studies and establishes project schedule and budget and reviews with clients; establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans, budgets and schedules.
• Supervises the RSSP project workflow, including work orders assigned to Design & Projects from the computerized maintenance management system.
• Manages and researches the RSSP building standards and library; and communicates them to groups within RSSP, Student Affairs, and Campus; as well as outside design professionals, vendors, and contractors.
• Reviews building condition and stored materials as part of the RSSP capital improvement program and space planning.
• Performs organizational, campus and administrative activities not directly relating to projects, including serving on campus committees representing department or unit.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of building and construction, design, construction contract administration and California Building Codes, including advanced understanding of industry practices, or deep expertise in a highly specialized and critical discipline.
• Advanced project management skills to effectively manage highly complex projects, or highly specialized and critical project components.
• Advanced knowledge of and/or ability to learn about the campus, including its infrastructure, rules, regulations, policies and short and long range strategic building plans.
• Advanced analytical, organizational and problem recognition/avoidance/resolution skills.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including highly effective negotiation skills and highly developed political acumen.
• Advanced knowledge of architectural or engineering concepts.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn about CAD.

Education/Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

Education/Training

• Architecture, engineering, interior design, construction, or project management training and/or equivalent experience/training.

Licenses/Certifications

• Licensed architect or engineer.
• Certification in interior design or project management.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $139,812.00 - $150,000.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.