Manager, Projects II (Design)

The University of Rhode Island; Kingston (RI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, RI, seeks a Manager, Projects II (Design) to lead architectural design and project management for campus construction and renovation projects. This professional will supervise design agents, coordinate with university stakeholders, and help prepare budgets and project schedules.

Hybrid work may be possible after six months. The role requires licensure or PMP and at least five years of design/construction management experience, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering, or architecture.
• Registration as a professional engineer, architect, or PMP.
• Minimum of five years of cumulative experience in design or construction management and administration, including construction estimating experience.
• Working knowledge of building code requirements and standard construction specifications.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in written communication skills.
• Supervisory experience.
• Willingness to travel throughout the University community.
• Experience using computer-aided design and project scheduling systems.
• Ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations and communicate the interpretation to subordinates and others.
• Ability to prepare and present detailed studies and reports to include recommendations concerning the substance of the studies and reports.
• Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide architectural and project management services for design of the University’s construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects.
• Assist in providing architectural services including supervision of contracted design agents, contractors and subcontractors.
• Prepare or oversee project programming and preliminary budget spreadsheets and schedules.
• Assist with URI and state agency approvals to initiate projects, including funding approvals.
• Prepare RFP documents for outsourced architect/engineering services and manage the selection process.
• Coordinate planning and design decisions with college deans, department heads and building committees.
• Provide design management leadership to foster quality architecture and efficient building systems.
• Monitor progress of construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects and report status.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Supervisory experience

Travel willingness

Policy interpretation

Diversity collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil/mechanical engineering or architecture

Master’s degree in civil/mechanical engineering or architecture

Tools

PE/Architect license

PMP certificate

Job description

80 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881

Position Information

Posting Number: SF02240

Job Title: Manager, Projects II (Design)

Position Number: 107997

FTE: 1.00

FLSA: Exempt

Position Type: Professional Staff

Union: PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Range: $90,000 - $105,000

Status: Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department: Capital Program Design & Delivery - Small Projects

Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/04/2026.

About URI:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE IS POSSIBLE AFTER SIX MONTHS.

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide architectural and project management services for design of the University’s construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in providing architectural services in support of the University (these services will include computer-aided design). This work includes supervision of contracted design agents, contractors and subcontractors.

Consult with appropriate university personnel on proposed architectural projects and develop preliminary scope of new projects. Prepare or oversee project programming and preliminary budget spreadsheets and schedules. Assist with URI and state agency approvals to initiate projects, including all funding approvals.

Assist the Assistant Vice President and Associate Director with project site selection recommendations and approvals from the appropriate university committees.

Prepare Request for Proposal documents, as required, for outsourced architect/engineering services consultants and manage the selection process. Assist the Director and Associate Director with interviews and in making presentations.

Negotiate and prepare Owner-Architect agreements, descriptions of project scope, detailed project budgets, and schedules. Coordinate approvals with University Counsel and URI Purchasing offices.

Prepare, review and recommend modifications to plans and specifications for construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects for compliance. Provide final building design floor plans to the Assistant Director, Spatial Services.

For assigned projects, manage the design process including meetings, budgets, schedules, and the documentation of decisions. Coordinate planning and design decisions with college deans, department heads, and building committees involved with the process.

Provide design management leadership to inspire a process that fosters fine architecture, efficient and effective building systems, and the development of a livable and community-focused university campus.

Coordinate and work closely and cooperatively with maintenance/trades personnel to ensure consistency between new construction and major rehabilitation project designs for maintenance and repair requirements.

Assist with the development and manage the application of University of Rhode Island Building Design Guidelines. As projects are designed, meet with appropriate users and project process partners and coordinate the university’s design review comments.

Provide management of the design and specifications of fixed equipment within a project and coordinate with movable equipment and furniture planning.

Prepare and present regular project reports and update appropriate URI directors and committees on the status of projects.

Liaise between Campus customers and design agents.

As projects require, provide coordination with regulatory agencies.

Monitor progress of construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects, coordinate needs with design and construction agents, and issue reports.

Assist with the preparation of project contract documents for the advertisement and public bidding of work. Verify contract documents for compliance with university standard procedures and applicable governmental regulations and building codes.

Evaluate design-related change orders and make recommendations to the Assistant Vice President and Associate Director.

Prepare project public relations materials and make presentations to the campus community and other audiences.

Serve on various department, division, and university committees.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Liaise with outside agencies (federal, state and local) regarding progress, completion and project close-out.

Perform other duties as required or assigned.

LICENSES , TOOLS , AND EQUIPMENT

Must provide own means of transportation. Registration as either a Professional Engineer or Architect license, and/or a Project Management Professional Certificate.

Required Qualifications

1. 1. Bachelor’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering, or architecture.
2. 2. Evidence of registration as a professional engineer, architect, or project management professional.
3. 3. Minimum of five years of cumulative experience in design or construction management and administration, including construction estimating experience.
4. 4. Working knowledge of building code requirements and standard construction specifications.
5. 5. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
6. 6. Proficiency in written communication skills.
7. 7. Supervisory experience.
8. 8. Willingness to travel throughout the University community.
9. 9. Experience using computer-aided design and computer project scheduling systems.
10. 10. Ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations and communicate the interpretation to subordinates and others.
11. 11. Ability to prepare and present detailed studies and reports to include recommendations concerning the substance of the studies and reports.
12. 12. Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
13. 13. Must provide own means of transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

1. 1. Master’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering, or architecture.

EEO STATEMENT

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Environmental Conditions

This position is subject to both inside and outside work and extreme cold and hot temperatures can be encountered in this position. The potential exists where noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, oils and wearing a respirator might also be encountered. This position requires bending, reaching, ascending and descending ladders and stairs, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, talking, and hearing.

Posting Date

10/20/2026