Senior Project Manager, Project & Development Services

Cushman & Wakefield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in the United States seeks a Senior Project Manager to oversee Life Science capital projects from design through construction. This role requires strong organizational and leadership abilities, with a focus on cost, schedule, risk, and client satisfaction.

The Senior PM will guide teams in procurement, qualification, and commissioning activities, while mentoring junior staff and ensuring compliance with project standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience.
• Life Sciences experience preferred.
• Advanced project management skills with demonstrated understanding of project management business.
• Ability to support and/or lead business development initiatives as assigned.
• History in client relations, client management, contract negotiations, and consulting skills.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate analyzed data to client and project team.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the project strategy development with Directors and executes within business unit of Cushman & Wakefield and client.
• Manages overall project cost, schedule, risk, and scope execution and develops project charter and execution plan.
• Drives overall scope and contractors to project schedule and cost objectives.
• Organizes people and resources along with operating within office or department.
• Implements plans while providing construction cost and benefit analysis as required.
• Oversee project implementation and execution through completion of construction.
• Works with owner team on operational readiness plans.
• Prepare various RFQ’s and/or RFP’s needed for vendor and contractor services for the complete project.
• Review subcontract proposals and related pricing and scoping.
• Negotiate contracts and performance management with selected contracted vendors, consultants, etc.
• Review, comment, validate and audit cost estimates prepared by contractors.
• Develop and own the Master Project Schedule; actively track each aspect of the project performance against schedules and critical path.
• Guide the client and team through the design implementation, procurement, and construction process along.
• Lead project client facing meetings.
• Management of due diligence, programming, design, entitlements, bidding, permitting, procurement, design team selection, budget, schedule creation/management, contractor selection, vendor selection, sustainability and post construction services.
• May oversee capital improvement programs with design and construction processes at multiple sites through local/account-based resources.
• Extensive interface with client staff and internal customers.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and application of all PDS technology as required for assigned projects.
• Inform Manager and/or Market Lead of all project, internal and client issues affecting the perception and reputation of Cushman & Wakefield.
• Identify and address areas of concern regarding potential liabilities and risk (fee, our reputation, errors and omissions, etc.) to Manager and/or Market Lead.
• Assist PDS senior leadership and Market Lead in the establishment and refinement of best practices of standards and excellence.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Client relations

Contract negotiations

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title

Senior Project Manager, Project & Development Services

Job Description Summary

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for overseeing project setup, implementation and execution through completion of commission & qualification. This role must be experienced in capital projects as the Senior PM will lead all aspects of Life Science projects and will be expected to be versed in pharmaceutical construction and qualification. Must have exceptional organizational, analytical and problem-solving. Must have the ability to lead a team and/or mentor less experienced team members.

Essential Job Duties

• Contributes to the project strategy development with Directors and executes within business unit of C&W and client.
• Manages overall project cost, schedule, risk, and scope execution and develops project charter and execution plan.
• Drives overall scope and contractors to project schedule and cost objectives.
• Organizes people and resources along with operating within office or department.
• Implements plans while providing construction cost and benefit analysis as required.
• Oversee project implementation and execution through completion of construction.
• Works with owner team on operational readiness plans.
• Prepare various RFQ’s and/or RFP’s needed for vendor and contractor services for the complete project.
• Review subcontract proposals and related pricing and scoping.
• Negotiate contracts and performance management with selected contracted vendors, consultants, etc.
• Review, comment, validate and audit cost estimates prepared by contractors.
• Develop and own the Master Project Schedule; actively track each aspect of the project performance against schedules and critical path.
• Guide the client and team through the design implementation, procurement, and construction process along.
• Lead project client facing meetings.
• Management of due diligence, programming, design, entitlements, bidding, permitting, procurement, design team selection, budget, schedule creation/management, contractor selection, vendor selection, sustainability and post construction services.
• May oversee capital improvement programs with design and construction processes at multiple sites through local/account-based resources.
• Extensive interface with client staff and internal customers.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and application of all PDS technology as required for assigned projects.
• Inform Manager and/or Market Lead of all project, internal and client issues affecting the perception and reputation of Cushman & Wakefield.
• Identify and address areas of concern regarding potential liabilities and risk (fee, our reputation, errors and omissions, etc.) to Manager and/or Market Lead.
• Assist PDS senior leadership and Market Lead in the establishment and refinement of best practices of standards and excellence.

Education / Experience / Training

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field is preferred.
• 10 or more years of related experience.
• Life Sciences Experience is preferred.
• Advanced project management skills with demonstrated understanding of project management business.
• Ability to support and/or lead business development initiatives as assigned or requested.
• History in client relations, client management, contract negotiations, and consulting skills.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate analyzed data to client and project team to achieve project goals.
• Strong working knowledge of architectural/engineering drawings and construction concepts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience within the construction industry required, candidates with additional life sciences or high-tech manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Must possess exemplary communication skills – both oral and written

Competencies

• Complex Problem Solving
• Analysis
• Functional Strategy
• May Lead Project Teams
• May Manage Staff

Benefits

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Compensation

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role. The compensation for the position is: $ 127,500.00 - $150,000.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

About Cushman & Wakefield

INCO: "Cushman & Wakefield"

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for occupiers and investors with approximately 53,000 employees in over 350 offices and nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines of services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com