Associate Director Capital Projects (Facilities & Construction)
The Carole Robertson Center for Learning focuses on ensuring that every child, prenatal to age 17, reaches their potential. We are the largest early childhood and youth development organization in Chicago, reaching 2,500 children and youth, annually. And we are the only organization in Chicago that offers every early childhood service delivery model, from center-based services delivered at our three flagship sites in Little Village, North Lawndale, and Albany Park, to a network of family childcare providers and support services to families in our communities.
Over the past few years, the Center has been in a period of exceptional growth across our organization. This growth was precipitated by our receipt of two pivotal federal Head Start grants in 2021: one to expand our Early Head Start slots and the other to manage Head Start for more than 1,300 children in 27 Chicago communities. Also, in 2021, the Center added its third flagship site in Albany Park and the State of Illinois transferred ownership of the original Little Village building, which is connected to the constructed Little Village flagship site which opened in 2000.
As we work to catch up and maximize our recent growth, and as part of our continued efforts to make the Center the most impactful it can be, we are upgrading all three flagship sites. Each building possesses unique deferred maintenance needs as well as opportunities to elevate their learning environments with 21st century infrastructure and design. The Associate Director, Capital Projects will manage capital planning, budgeting and implementation for deferred maintenance, on-going maintenance, and capital improvement projects. In addition to those daily tasks, the Associate Director, Capital Projects will also serve as the main point person at the Center responsible for managing large scale site improvement plans by supporting and facilitating the planning, design and construction teams who are currently working to make those important improvements.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations, the Associate Director, Capital Projects is responsible for leading and facilitating all aspects of the design and construction process for the Center’s three flagship sites.
Note that the Associate Director, Capital Projects is a limited-term position. The end date is anticipated to be June 2027, with the possibility to extend the role or move into a similar capacity within the Center’s Operations team.
Responsibilities will include:
- Manage the coordination of architectural and engineering disciplines as well as the functions of estimating, budgeting, contracting, scheduling, bidding, negotiating, purchasing, value engineering.
- Engage architects, engineers, all other necessary consultants for the implementation of design and documentation for capital project.
- Partner with General Contractors to create estimates for project costs.
- Provide schedules and project budget summaries to facilitate approvals and drive the project forward.
- Create Request for Proposal documents and oversee the bidding process for the General Contractor Selection.
- Review, analyze and level the General Contractor bids and provide analysis and recommendations for award.
- Initiate the permit process activities.
- Monitor project construction activities relating to scheduling, quality, costs, design, and construction methodology as well as assist in the selection and recommendation of trades and purchase of major building materials/ components.
- Create and monitor control systems for cost estimates, budgets, schedule, contractor draws, change orders, quality control, value engineering, progress reports and variance analyses.
- Develop and manage contract documents.
- Manage construction close out process. Obtain guarantees and warranties.
Specific responsibilities for current capital project:
- Serve as the Center’s representative with design and construction contractor teams and with other Center departments, outside agencies, funding partners, organizational partners, and the public.
- Manage existing contracts between the Center and our design and construction team (made up of our Owner’s Representative, architect, and general contractor). Negotiate, prepare and administer new consultant contracts, as necessary.
- Work closely with the Center’s Owners Representative to plan, budget, and schedule all aspects of each of our three capital improvement projects. This includes helping to coordinate the Center’s staff to prepare for construction and helping arrange the logistics for alternate space during construction.
- Coordinate building access to enable contractors to perform necessary processes (e.g., take precise measurements, conduct environmental reviews, etc.) Coordinate other capital project activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations, as necessary.
- Ensure contractors have what they need to finalize drawings/plans, develop construction documents, complete permitting process, etc.
- Prepare and conduct briefings and presentations on projects to key internal and external stakeholders, (e.g., board of directors, campaign cabinet, funding partners, Center staff, parent advisory groups, etc.)
- Work with the Marketing & Communications team to update key communications materials and platforms (e.g., website, social media) and inform constituents on project progress.
- Ensure the Center executes on any deliverables and requirements (i.e., progress reports) associated with grant funding.
- Assist the Development team with the information needed for grant proposals or other funding requests for capital projects.
- Support the assembly and preparation of bid documents and assure bid documents and related materials are distributed to appropriate Center personnel as necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Engineering, Business Administration, Urban Planning or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work)
- Minimum 3 years of experience in capital project or construction management or related experience
- Familiarity with construction methods and contracting
- Strong communication skills (written and spoken)
- A proactive approach to problem solving
- Flexibility to juggle multiple tasks while working in a fast-paced environment
- A positive attitude and enjoyment of working in a team-oriented atmosphere
- Success as a collaborator and relationship builder, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build coalitions and working relationships across a broad range of individuals and groups