Program Manager - 141753

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a Program Manager to oversee capital projects from design through completion, ensuring on-time delivery and within budget. You will coordinate architecture and construction activities across campus properties, guiding staff and external partners to meet safety and regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes strategic management, stakeholder communication, and the use of capital project management tools, with a focus on delivering high-quality, cost-effective campus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in architecture, engineering, urban design or related field.
• Experience in planning, design, construction, and regulatory practices.
• Ability to provide technical advice on construction practices and prepare drawings/specifications.
• Familiarity with California building codes, ADA, OSHPD/DSA requirements.
• Knowledge of project scheduling, cost control, and contract management.
• Excellent communication and leadership for multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Organize and control the design and construction effort of projects.
• Coordinate clients, design professionals, contractors, and inspectors.
• Monitor progress, cost, and quality; resolve field problems.
• Communicate with stakeholders regarding program, budget, and schedule.
• Provide guidance on capital project management software and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budget management

Communication skills

Contract negotiation

OSHPD compliance

Construction knowledge

Design coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

e-Builder PM

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/21/26 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of their assigned Senior Director, this position is accountable to deliver projects within their assigned program (a suite of separate but related projects, managed by both in-house and consulting project managers) that are on schedule, within budget, high quality, sustainable, cost effective, and appropriate to the client's needs.

The Program Manager is responsible to their assigned Senior Director and the Associate Vice Chancellor - Capital Program Management for strategic management of architecture design and construction matters relating to the physical development of campus or health system properties within their assigned program, ensuring compliance with codes and other governmental requirements for public health and safety. The Program Manager is the intermediary resource for coordination of all architectural functions for both new construction and major and minor renovation projects.

In addition to program management responsibilities, the individual will organize, plan, and control the design and construction effort of individual projects. This may involve selecting professional design staff; coordinating the activities of clients, design professionals (architect, engineers, etc.), contractors, inspectors, and others associated with the project; monitoring project progress, cost, and quality; resolving problems that arise in the project; working with state agency officials to ensure compliance and safety. Communicating with project stakeholders on campus/medical centers regarding program, budget, schedule and construction impact. Completing and warranting the project to department and University specifications.

Provide guidance on use of web-based capital project management and construction management software.

Responsible for implementation of capital projects. Provide administrative oversight for teams of project managers with emphasis on daily operations and functions, ensuring that project progress and completion is within budget and time constraints.

Receives assignments in the form of objectives with goals and the process by which to meet goals. Responsible for supervising the day-to-day unit activities. May oversee and participate in more complex design and construction projects. Provides direction according to established policies and management guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and / or equivalent experience / training in architecture, engineering, urban design, city planning or landscape architecture. Master's degree preferred.

• Working knowledge of and experience in planning, design, construction, environmental issues, legal issues, federal, state and local laws, regulations and practices governing planning, building design and construction.

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge to provide technical advice on construction practices, methods and procedures, and to prepare drawings and specifications for major building projects. Demonstrated working knowledge of architectural, engineering, and construction practices.

• Familiarity with California and applicable building codes and regulations; and professional design experience to effectively direct and review the preparation of design and construction documents, review and approve contractor submittals, and to effectively resolve field problems during construction.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of standard design and construction sequences and durations necessary to prepare, monitor, and manage detailed project schedule.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of California Building Code, Title-24 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), Division of State Architect (DSA) and State Fire Marshal (SFM) code and policy requirements for hospital construction. (Medical Center only).

• Demonstrated working knowledge of current project and construction costs and experience with industry standard cost estimating systems. Financial skills to prepare, monitor, and manage detailed project budgets, evaluate independent cost estimates, and review and approve payment requests.

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in all organizational processes, protocols, and procedures. Advanced knowledge of functionally specific computer applications.

• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of various computer software programs including but not limited to MS Office, Outlook, and e-Builder Project Management (or current Project Management software system).

• Extensive analytical / problem-solving skills. Demonstrated skill to effectively negotiate terms, conditions and costs related to design professional contracts, terms of the contracts and construction change orders. Demonstrated familiarity with design and construction contracts, contract law, public contracting code, and construction claims procedures. Ability to draft modifications to standard agreements consistent with Regental Policy and in coordination with legal counsel.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with senior management, and lead and direct subordinates. Excellent skills to lead, direct and manage personnel including selection, training, evaluating and as required, taking corrective action. Superior judgment, interpersonal communication, leadership, writing, and analytical skills.

• Strong demonstrated leadership, management and supervisory skills to effectively train and guide staff at all levels, delegate tasks, set performance standards, and evaluate performance. Ability to motivate staff and foster a cooperative working environment.

• Demonstrated superior written communication skills to prepare clear, concise and professional reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present project/program design and status issues to client groups. Ability to work effectively with user departments and be responsive to their needs.

• Comprehensive project management skills. Demonstrated construction administration experience and skills to monitor contractor operations for conformance to contract documents and applicable codes, review and negotiate contractor claims, oversee work of inspectors and testing agencies, and actively assist contractor and design team in the resolution of technical and procedural problems.

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to work effectively with multiple constituencies to advance organizational objectives.

• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills necessary to simultaneously direct several large internal and external professional teams working on unique and technically difficult projects in a complex administrative environment.

• Ability to promote, develop and maintain cooperative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds including University Personnel and the public.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Background check required.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $111,300 - $211,100 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $53.30 - $101.10

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).