Manager of Property Projects

Oversees and directs construction management for all Capital Construction Projects including Environmental Construction Projects. Leads and directs internal and external project teams to deliver solutions addressing customer requirements. Manages the planning, design, development, and implementation of all Property building/site construction projects and environmental fuel tank project installations. Responsible for conceptual /final site layout and the coordination of site occupancy with government authorities. Manages the delivery of all projects and data within time, cost and scope/quality defined boundaries in accordance with First Student Project Management Methodology. This role reports to the Sr. Manager Property Projects.

Major Responsibilities

• Consults with internal teams in early stages of site selection and design and provides information and recommendations as to site conformance to planned uses such as bus and employee parking layout, zoning compliance, and building and occupancy permit timing and processes including fuel tank installations.
• Reviews all lease documents and provides approval or exception notation based on review of lease terms and conditions pertaining to environmental, possible design & construction requirements, zoning and occupancy requirements of the site vs. the intended use.
• Manages project teams including remote members to deliver successful project information, solutions and execution. Develops North American network of consultants and contractors to affect same.
• Leads project teams in defining the project deliverables, milestones, resource plan and schedule; in implementing/applying standard processes of construction, environmental, change, risk, and issue management, as well as quality assurance and project tracking and communications.
• Creates project financial expense plan, tracking and reporting variances throughout project. Follows the First Student capital expense approval process and cooperates with respective Business Unit to request said funding.
• Manages execution of each project schedule and reporting variances along with corrective actions. Provides timely and accurate status reporting to the project stakeholders.
• Leads contract negotiations by providing subject matter expertise and guidance to achieve the best possible project financially and qualitative outcome for First Student. Leads all stakeholders through implementing prototype designs for new facilities and following through from conception, to construction, to project completion.
• Negotiates with stakeholders and external vendors to obtain appropriately skilled human resources for the project.
• Ensures all projects close effectively ensuring all applicable permits were obtained and by conducting construction punch-list, project turnover information from external vendors, documentation of lessons learned and the provision of feedback on project resource management.
• Provides consultation, when requested, on property close-out and lease terminations.
• Manages and organizes insurance claim construction projects with internal insurance team and external insurance adjustor to ensure all damaged and loss property is properly accounted for, reconstructed as needed, and finally reimbursed at the mutually agreed amount.
• Develops and provides sustainable / green initiative options to First Student stakeholders for possible implementation including but not limited to facility lighting retrofits and facility systems utility rebates.
• With the Regional Real Estate Managers, provides recommendations for relocating existing facilities to new locations in an effort to save monies not only through facility costs but also operational costs such as “dead-head”.

Desired Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Project management certification (e.g. Masters Certificate or PMP) preferred.
• At least 4 years of recent project management experience.
• Experience using PMI based processes to manage projects.
• A proven ability to inspire and coordinate the talents of multidisciplinary teams.
• Creative approach to problem solving and management of projects.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, influence, negotiation, organization and communication skills required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project and Office applications required.
• 30% travel.