Project Manager - Engineer

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, and engage with the arts.

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2024 staff video!

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

This is a full-time, benefits eligible limited term position with a 4 year contract.

The Project Management Office (PMO) of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is responsible for the management of all design, engineering, and construction projects supporting the Presidential monument. The Director of PMO supervises a team of project managers each with a different technical discipline in the design and construction industry. The project manager works collaboratively with the stakeholders, end users and other Facility Management department as required to successfully complete capital projects.

The Project Manager (PM) for this new position will be tasked with projects that required an expertise in mechanical electrical and plumbing engineering. This position is responsible for managing the efficient and effective coordination and accomplishment of the planning, scoping, design, acquisition, construction, change management, transition, and outfitting of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and REACH expansion. The duties of the PM include a variety of project management and administrative tasks that enable the Project Management Office to accomplish the multi-year capital rehabilitation and renovation programs.

The PM is responsible for project management through the lifetime of assigned projects. The Project Manager manages project concept, procurement, design, construction, and closeout. Each stage of all projects will require coordination with other Kennedy Center departments, including Operations and Maintenance, Security, Production, and other building occupants. Projects are deemed successful if schedule and budget targets are met with minimal disruption to building operations.

Key Responsibilities

Project Design Management - The duties include performance of all activities related to management of design as accomplished through consultant architecture/engineering (A/E) firms, including the following:

• Provide guidance and assistance to the end user during the design, construction, transition, and turnover of the project.
• Review and comment on building designs and specifications, operational and functional systems, contractor submittals and schedules, and other related documentation and plans.
• Development of scope of work for requests for proposals from A/E firms.
• Review of A/E fee proposals and recommendations for fee award amounts.
• Development and management of project design schedules.
• Development of construction cost estimates and ongoing value engineering as required to maintain budgets.
• Management of A/E design activities, including design meetings, document submissions, design reviews, and verification of design requirements.
• Development of recommendations for project delivery system, such as Construction Management at Risk, Low-Bid General Contractor, or Design-Build.
• Development of project construction schedule, inducting securing approval of affected Kennedy Center departments.
• Organization and maintenance of all project files.
• Act as Contracting Officer’s Technical representative and manage all contracting activities with the designated Contracting Officer’s Representative

Project Construction Management - The PM is responsible for directing project activities during the construction phase. Project budget and schedule are of paramount importance. Duties include the following:

• Construction observation, including assessments of work in place against contract specifications and building code requirements.
• Change management, including analysis of proposed construction change orders, negotiations of prices, and management of changes within budget.
• Submittal management, including coordination of simultaneous A/E and Kennedy Center reviews.
• Management of responses to contractor's requests for information.
• Ensuring that all transition and initial outfitting planning and execution is synchronized with the construction contract.
• Monitoring and management of construction schedule, including implementation of proactive techniques to ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Coordination of all project work with Kennedy Center staff and performance activity, including detailed and specific communication as necessary.
• Management of all A/E and contractor activity during the construction phase.
• Project closeout, including completion of punch list activities; receipt of project manuals, warranties, and as-built documentation; and turnover to Facilities Operations and Maintenance staff.
• Organization and maintenance of all project files.
• Manage all contract activities with the designated Contracting Officer’s Representative

Capital Repair and Program-wide Tasks - The incumbent Manager will assist the Director, Project Management Office in developing program-wide reports and information such as the following:

• Preparation of bi-monthly project reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
• Assists in the preparation of the annual capital plan, including management of capital planning consultants as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing/project managing complex multi-million-dollar projects from concept design through construction.
• Degree requirement: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or similar field. Current registration as an engineer by any State, District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico is preferred.

• Current registration as an Engineer (PE) by any State, District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico is preferred.

• Mastery of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods sufficient to provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods.

• Mastery of mechanical and electrical engineering concepts, principles, methods, and practices including the latest developments in building design and construction to solve complex problems.

• Knowledge of related technical disciplines (i.e. architecture, civil, and structural engineering) to ensure that areas of overlapping responsibilities among technical disciplines receive proper design consideration and that total project objectives are met

• Expert knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods associated with management of planning, design, construction, and the qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness.

• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Federal contracting practices and procedures, and regulatory and statutory restriction on the use of federally appropriated funds related to the management of A/E design contracts and construction contracts for capital improvement projects.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the design and construction industry, including project delivery systems, management of professional services, and construction methods for the successful management and delivery of capital improvement projects from pre-design, design development and construction.

• Expertise in the core competencies of project management to deliver high quality projects, from the design concept stage to post-construction occupancy, on time and within budget, including: management of contracts, change orders, scopes of work, schedules, budgets, quality management, risk management, and shop drawings review.

• Skill to analyze and interpret codes, regulations, and criteria and apply them to the project to develop solutions.

• Skill to interpret project management office documents, including policies, procedures, capital plans, specifications, and construction drawings to support the development and management of capital improvement projects.

• Skill to communicate effectively orally and in writing to conduct briefings, and present issues and recommendations and communicate with project stakeholders at all levels within the Kennedy Center staff. Skill in written and verbal communications to explain and defend status of assigned projects and make presentations (public speaking/engagement).

• Skill in maintaining effective working relationships and developing consensus solutions with both internal and external customers (with varying or opposing interests) while serving as the point of contact for assigned projects.

• Knowledge of the principles and concepts of Federal Government administrative, budgeting, and technical practices and procedures for the development of capital improvement projects.

• Skill in and knowledge of technical and advanced proficiency with spreadsheets, word processors, presentation software as well as excellent Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems for viewing, printing, and transferring construction drawings

• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. 

• Candidate must be willing to work onsite. 

Additional Information

• Work is performed primarily throughout the interior and exterior of the Center. The incumbent generally works indoors but may occasionally work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Incumbent is exposed to the regular hazards of working around machinery, chemicals, and electrical and electronic equipment and devices.
• The work performed is usually performed in an office setting, however, visits to active construction sites are required where normal safety equipment and precautions are required. Work may require frequent visits to construction sites with typical construction hazards. Bending and climbing stairs and ladders is routinely required. The incumbent is required to assist in a myriad of physical office management duties and potentially assist in moving or lifting small equipment and materials such as extensive plans and specifications. This mandates walking, standing, stooping, bending, carrying, and similar movements, as well as agility, stamina, and dexterity. Extensive walking, bending, and lifting of materials up to 25 pounds may be required.
• The noise level in the work environment is typically normal office background noise but will occasionally include noise from construction activities and work in active equipment and utility rooms.