The Project Manager-Architect serves as an institutional representative to manage the programming, pre-design, planning, design, construction, and acceptance of varied and complex, major and minor construction and other built-environment projects for Western Washington University. This position works directly with clients, provides technical advice and services to University departments for their current and future building needs, and provides technical and program related direction and information to the University's construction and maintenance crews. This position also oversees the work of consultants and contractors retained by the University on assigned design and construction projects.
The successful candidate will manage key projects like the Student Development and Success Center, a standalone building envisioned as greeting point and welcome center as well as a hub of student life on campus. The project just finalized pre-design, has been funded by the state and will use Design Build alternative contract delivery. This position may also manage the House of Healing, a Coast Salish style longhouse, planned in partnership and collaboration with Western’s Native American Student Union, tribal liaison, and Coast Salish tribal nations. The structure and grounds will reflect traditional Coast Salish architecture and design and will serve as a gathering and ceremonial space to support educational, community, and cultural functions.
The successful candidate will join a great team of professionals. The incumbent, who is retiring after decades in this position, is anticipated to remain on staff for several months to facilitate knowledge transfer and project transitioning for the successful candidate.
Be a licensed professional Architect and have more than five years of relevant demonstrated project management experience in planning, design and construction;
Great working knowledge of architecture, engineering, planning, design, construction and project management;
Strong interpersonal skills in verbal and written communications;
Ability to read, understand, and interpret architectural and engineering plans, specifications and standards;
Ability to communicate well with many different types of stakeholders;
Ability to promote an equitable and inclusive work environment;
Manages time well and under pressure;
Accomplishes assigned tasks efficiently and proficiently;
Handles multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously;
Works effectively with employees at all levels of the organization and outside agencies;
Working and demonstrated knowledge of budgeting;
General knowledge of hazardous materials used in construction;
Experience with construction quality assurance and contract compliance;
Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, relational databases, email, and page layout programs;
Understands the challenges of completing projects and is proactive and adaptable on the approach to project success.
Preferred Qualifications:
Have architectural project management experience related to a University/Institutional setting;
Have experience and a working knowledge of alternative contract delivery methods of Design-Build, Progressive Design Build, and GC/CM;
About the University:
Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
About the Department:
Facilities Development and Operations supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
