Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Department of Capital Planning and Construction is committed to make CPS students and staff proud of their school so that they can concentrate on their studies and core missions, by investing in its physical assets (i.e. buildings, sites, and equipment) to ensure children have a safe and quality learning environment. The goal is to achieve an optimal standard of physical condition for each school through renovations and improve learning through educational enhancements by using innovative design, planning, and construction techniques.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Director of Construction, the Senior Manager, Renovation Construction represents the Board of Education in construction work within the Department of Capital Planning and Construction, especially projects implemented by sister agencies on behalf of CPS. This includes administrating or participating in design constructability reviews, pre-bid, bid phase, pre-construction, construction and closeout meetings. The Senior Manager, Renovation Construction will assist in the development of construction operation plans and constructability reviews during design, monitor project schedules, budgets and the impact of long lead items, review and approve of change orders and payments, transition projects at completion to the Department of Facilities and oversee work that is completed according to CPS technical standards and specifications. This role will also manage outside consultants and vendors.

The Senior Manager, Renovation Construction will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise the Project Managers and Construction Managers for new construction projects with the Public Building Commission and CPS’s renovation project team
• Manage and supervise Capital Program commissioning contracts and coordinate commissioning issues with Project Managers
• Work with principals and stakeholders to create a positive environment for construction
• Respond to emergency situations such as fire and water damage to determine response needs
• Implement an action plan with the school to rectify any construction activity related damage and communicate the plan to upper management
• Oversee all owner-provided project activities with outside agencies managing construction, or the general contractor depending on the nature of the project
• Develop and present status reports to Senior Leadership when required
• Supervise construction project turnover after construction completion with internal departments (Nutritional Support Services, ITS, CTE, etc.)
• Review, negotiate, and recommend approval/disapproval of all construction changes
• Review and recommend approval/disapproval of all pay applications
• Assist and supervise in constructability reviews and provide recommendations
• Manage the review of third party cost estimates for project(s)
• Supervise and monitor the timely delivery of long lead time items such as equipment, material, furniture, etc.
• Participate in project meetings to verify that the projects are on time and on budget
• Manage bid reviews and make recommendations on awards
• Participate in performance evaluations of construction team members
• Ensure that projects are coordinated with City and State regulating authorities (CDOT, DWM, DOB, Zoning, Bureau of Underground, Chicago Department of Public Health, ComEd, People’s Gas, etc.)
• Supervise project managers to ensure the general contractor’s work is in compliance with contract documents
• Report emergencies to Risk Management
• Oversee equipment final testing and start-up; ensure closeout procedures are followed
• Conduct post-occupancy inspections / review and manage warranty work
• Oversee the completion of all 11-month warranty period review of installed work
• Analyze construction claims
• Travel to various school sites throughout the District’s portfolio

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Manager, Renovation Construction must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required, preferably in a construction-related field
• A professional license (Registered Architect, Professional Engineer, etc.) is preferred
• Professional certifications (CMAA, LEED, PSP, PMP, etc.) preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum seven (7) years experience in project or construction management is required
• Minimum three (3) years of staff oversight and large project management is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Construction practices: building codes, fire and safety codes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and a proven ability to engage fully with peers
• Strong organization/time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple large scale projects with accelerated delivery schedules

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.