Senior Project Manager - SD Life Sciences Construction

Michael Page; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401(k) with employer contribution

Vehicle allowance

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager in the San Diego area to lead sophisticated Life Sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare, and advanced technology construction projects. The role focuses on preconstruction through turnover, delivering on schedule, budget, safety, and quality.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of PM experience managing $15M–$100M+ projects, with deep expertise in laboratories, vivariums, clean rooms, and MEP systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management experience in Life Sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical, or advanced technology construction.
• Proven ability to manage $15M–$100M+ projects from preconstruction to turnover.
• Strong leadership, client management, and risk/contract handling skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for complex Life Sciences, laboratory, biotech, pharmaceutical, and tech construction projects.
• Manage schedules, budgets, safety, and quality across multiple projects.
• Mentor and lead project teams, including PMs, engineers, and superintendents.
• Develop and maintain budgets, forecasts, and procurement plans.
• Coordinate with owners, architects, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery.

Skills

Life Sciences

Project Management

Leadership

Budgeting & Forecasting

Job description

This role is ideal for a construction professional with substantial experience managing Life Sciences and technical construction projects who thrives in fast-paced environments where planning, collaboration, and technical expertise are critical to success.

Our client is a well-established General Contractor recognized for delivering complex Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Healthcare, and Advanced Technology construction projects throughout Southern California.

Due to continued growth within the San Diego market, they are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead sophisticated technical projects for some of the industry's most innovative clients. This individual will serve as a key leader within the organization, overseeing projects from preconstruction through closeout while maintaining strong relationships with owners, architects, consultants, and project teams.

Description

Our Senior Project Manager will be responsible for:

• Providing overall leadership for Life Sciences, Laboratory, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Advanced Technology construction projects.
• Managing projects from preconstruction through turnover, ensuring successful delivery across schedule, budget, safety, and quality objectives.
• Leading and mentoring Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Superintendent teams.
• Developing and maintaining project budgets, forecasts, buyout strategies, and procurement plans.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and key stakeholders.
• Overseeing preconstruction activities including budgeting, constructability reviews, scheduling, value engineering, and subcontractor procurement.
• Driving project schedules and ensuring milestone achievements throughout all phases of construction.
• Managing complex MEP systems, process piping, clean room installations, laboratory infrastructure, and specialized equipment coordination.
• Reviewing contracts, negotiating change orders, managing risk, and maintaining project profitability.
• Coordinating commissioning, validation support, and turnover activities.
• Leading client meetings and maintaining strong communication between field and office operations.
• Identifying project challenges early and implementing proactive solutions to ensure successful project outcomes.

Profile

The ideal Senior Project Manager will have:

• 10+ years of Project Management experience within Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Healthcare, or Advanced Technology construction.
• Experience managing projects valued between $15M and $100M+.
• Proven success leading projects from preconstruction through final completion and client turnover.
• Extensive experience with laboratories, research facilities, biotechnology campuses, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, vivariums, clean rooms, and technical environments.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, contract management, procurement, and project financial controls.
• Deep understanding of MEP-intensive construction, commissioning processes, process systems, and specialized facility requirements.
• Exceptional client management and business relationship skills.
• Experience managing multiple project teams while maintaining schedule and profitability objectives.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to operate independently while delivering complex projects within demanding schedules.

Job Offer

We are offering this role:

• A base salary between $170,000 and $200,000
• Annual performance incentive
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Vehicle allowance
• Paid Time Off and Holidays

This role is ideal for a construction professional with substantial experience managing Life Sciences and technical construction projects who thrives in fast-paced environments where planning, collaboration, and technical expertise are critical to success.

Client Details

Our client is a well-established General Contractor recognized for delivering complex Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Healthcare, and Advanced Technology construction projects throughout Southern California.

Due to continued growth within the San Diego market, they are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead sophisticated technical projects for some of the industry's most innovative clients. This individual will serve as a key leader within the organization, overseeing projects from preconstruction through closeout while maintaining strong relationships with owners, architects, consultants, and project teams.

Description

Our Senior Project Manager will be responsible for:

• Providing overall leadership for Life Sciences, Laboratory, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Advanced Technology construction projects.
• Managing projects from preconstruction through turnover, ensuring successful delivery across schedule, budget, safety, and quality objectives.
• Leading and mentoring Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Superintendent teams.
• Developing and maintaining project budgets, forecasts, buyout strategies, and procurement plans.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and key stakeholders.
• Overseeing preconstruction activities including budgeting, constructability reviews, scheduling, value engineering, and subcontractor procurement.
• Driving project schedules and ensuring milestone achievements throughout all phases of construction.
• Managing complex MEP systems, process piping, clean room installations, laboratory infrastructure, and specialized equipment coordination.
• Reviewing contracts, negotiating change orders, managing risk, and maintaining project profitability.
• Coordinating commissioning, validation support, and turnover activities.
• Leading client meetings and maintaining strong communication between field and office operations.
• Identifying project challenges early and implementing proactive solutions to ensure successful project outcomes.

Profile

The ideal Senior Project Manager will have:

• 10+ years of Project Management experience within Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Healthcare, or Advanced Technology construction.
• Experience managing projects valued between $15M and $100M+.
• Proven success leading projects from preconstruction through final completion and client turnover.
• Extensive experience with laboratories, research facilities, biotechnology campuses, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, vivariums, clean rooms, and technical environments.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, contract management, procurement, and project financial controls.
• Deep understanding of MEP-intensive construction, commissioning processes, process systems, and specialized facility requirements.
• Exceptional client management and business relationship skills.
• Experience managing multiple project teams while maintaining schedule and profitability objectives.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to operate independently while delivering complex projects within demanding schedules.

Job Offer

We are offering this role:

• A base salary between $170,000 and $200,000
• Annual performance incentive
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Vehicle allowance
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Career advancement opportunities
  

Desired Skills and Experience

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.