Education - Program Manager (NorCal)

Cordoba Corporation; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multiple medical and dental insurance plans

401k with employer match

Generous vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

A leading project management firm is seeking a Higher Education - Program Manager based in San Jose, California. This role involves managing all aspects of project planning in educational programs, requiring at least 10 years of experience, including 4 years in public or educational institutions. The ideal candidate excels in budget management, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement. This position offers a competitive salary range of $170,000 to $200,000 and includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 10 years of full-time professional experience in program and project management.
• Minimum of 4 years in a public or educational agency.
• Experience in project management under DSA processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of project planning and development for programs.
• Develop funding strategies leveraging state match grants.
• Resolve cost overruns through value engineering.

Skills

Program management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Job description

Higher Education - Program Manager

This position manages all aspects of project planning and development in programs, including engineering and construction; technical support; bidding strategy; schedules; budget; funding source and allocations; grants management; prioritization of work; and finalization and closeout. Qualified candidates will have at least 10 years full‑time paid professional experience in the management and administration of various programs and projects, with a minimum of 4 years experience in public or educational institutions and great familiarity with DSA permitting processes.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets complex project planning, design, and construction budgets, schedules, and costs to ensure conformance with authorized scope, time, and dollar requirements.
• Supervises project planners in developing projects’ scope, schedule, and budget ensuring stakeholder goals and vision are reflected.
• Develops funding strategies for each of the projects within a program, including leveraging funds with state match grants, private grants, and identifying non‑profit partners.
• Resolves or reduces cost overruns by performing value engineering.
• Reviews project data and develops executive reports for stakeholders and proposes new projects in specific programs as required.
• Manages the financial closeout of programs by ensuring project documents are finalized and financial reports reviewed according to the guidelines of the funding sources, following substantial completion.
• Acts as liaison and provides necessary documentation for closed‑out projects under litigation and participates in depositions whenever necessary.
• Reviews and assesses program strengths and limitations and makes recommendations for areas requiring improvement, including program reporting and process.
• Resolves technically complex issues for architects, engineers, and/or other lower‑level project managers.
• Coordinates the formulation of policies and procedures related to construction programs, including the development of funding policies, requests for appropriation, and alterations and improvements of new programs.
• Coordinates and recommends updates to construction specification guidelines.
• Engages in community and stakeholder meetings regarding high‑profile projects, summarizes meeting agenda and prepares reports related to project progress for distribution.
• Participates in job meetings and job walks and reviews project documentation to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Maintains lessons learned in all programs and participates in providing trainings to staff for program and project improvements.
• Mediates conflicts between project staff with regards to scope, materials and other requirements and offers solutions; assists with dispute mediation between various project staff.
• Participates in change order negotiations and assists with contract review process.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) years full‑time paid professional experience in the management and administration of various programs and projects under programs, including scope development, planning and design, budget and funding allocation and closeout.
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in managing programs in a public or educational agency, with full responsibility for coordinating complex activities, including permitting and managing projects through DSA.
• Experience in managing multiple education or public agency programs concurrently is preferred.
• Salary Range: $170,000 to $200,000

Required Education

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.

Our Company

Cordoba Corporation is a leading civil engineering, construction management, program management, and planning firm. Our expertise spans diverse sectors, including education and facilities, transportation, water, and energy. Collaborating closely with our clients, we have successfully delivered complex and high‑impact infrastructure projects across California.

National Recognition – Cordoba’s efforts have garnered national acclaim. Engineering News‑Record (ENR) has consistently ranked us as a “top 100 construction management firm” and a “top 50 program management firm.” Additionally, ENR recognized Cordoba as a “top 100 design firm” in California in 2018. Our business model emphasizes efficiency, fostering a dynamic work environment. We approach projects with multifaceted strategies, ensuring successful outcomes.

Statewide Presence – With headquarters in Los Angeles, Cordoba maintains a strong statewide presence. Our offices extend to San Francisco, Sacramento, San Ramon, Chatsworth, Santa Ana, Ontario, and San Diego.

Benefits and Perks

We offer multiple medical and dental insurance plans, as well as vision insurance. Plans are subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month after hire. Additionally, Cordoba provides employees with paid AD&D and life insurance, a 401k with an industry‑leading employer match, generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 9 paid holidays, and other forms of paid time off. We also offer flexible spending accounts (FSA) including medical care reimbursement, dependent care reimbursement, and commuter benefit plans. Employees are also eligible for our employee assistance program and well‑being benefits that include stress management, nutrition, and financial well‑being.

Cordoba Corporation provides equal employment opportunities, promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Harassment‑Free Workplace: We strictly prohibit workplace harassment based on any factor, including race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Cordoba is committed to fostering a healthy and happy lifestyle for our employees, both within and beyond the workplace.

For inquiries or accommodations, please contact our HR Department at: (213) 895‑0224.

Join Cordoba Corporation and be part of shaping California’s future!