Project Manager - Higher Education

Job description

ABOUT THE JOB Brookwood Group is a boutique owner's representative and program management firm with roots tracing back to 1945. We manage programs across healthcare, education, government, and commercial sectors—always exclusively on the owner's side of the table. We're growing, and we're looking for project managers who want to build their careers representing building owners. We are seeking a Project Manager with experience in colleges, universities, and research institutions to serve as an owner's representative on active construction projects. You'll be the owner's eyes and ears on the ground, working alongside contractors and design teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the quality standards our clients expect. We welcome candidates from any U.S. location who are willing to travel to project sites as assignments require. This is a hands-on role with real growth potential. If you're coming from the GC or subcontractor side and want to transition to owner's representation—or if you're already in OR and want to join a firm that genuinely prioritizes owner interests—we'd like to meet you. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Act as owner's representative with primary responsibility for academic buildings, research facilities, student housing, campus infrastructure, and multi-building capital programs. - Manage and coordinate all aspects of the project including budget, schedule, quality, and compliance with client standards. - Review and process RFIs, submittals, and change orders—ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. - Coordinate with architects, contractors, and other project team members to meet objectives and resolve issues. - Assist in the submission of regulatory documentation and approvals related to state higher education construction requirements, campus master plans, and institutional standards. - Prepare status reports, meeting minutes, and presentations that give stakeholders clear insight into project health. - Coordinate punch lists, O&M documentation, and warranty materials for project closeout. REQUIREMENTS - 5+ years of construction project management experience. - Experience managing higher education facilities, including laboratories, libraries, student centers, and residential halls through planning, design, construction, and closeout. - Solid understanding of construction contracts, drawings, specifications, and cost management. - Proficiency with project management software (Procore, e-Builder, or similar) and MS Office/Bluebeam. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Willingness to travel to project sites as assignments require. - Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Familiarity with state higher education construction requirements, campus master plans, and institutional standards. - Owner's representative or program management background (vs. GC-side only). - CCM, PMP, or LEED AP certification. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN - Competitive salary commensurate with experience. - Mentorship from experienced owner's representatives and program managers. - Diverse project experience across colleges, universities, and research institutions. - A clear path to senior roles as the firm grows. - Exposure to AI-powered project management tools that make your job easier, not harder. - Flexibility to work remotely while traveling to project sites as needed. WHY BROOKWOOD? We were co-founded by George Heery: the person who literally invented much of what we now call Construction Management and Program Management, including the Bridging method. That's our foundation and it's a rich legacy of serving clients and delivering construction projects. But we're not living in the past. We're building AI-powered tools that automate the tedious work and give our people on the ground actual superpowers. The goal isn't efficiency for its own sake, it's serving our clients better and bringing some joy back to managing construction projects. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to be, let's talk.