Principal of Construction Management
This position is flexible/hybrid, but you must reside in any of the following states: HI, CA, OR, WA, CO, GA, MD, VA, D.C
The Principal of Construction Management serves as a trusted expert and strategic advisor to over 150 Project Managers across a diverse portfolio of complex projects. This role brings deep expertise in construction methodologies, procurement strategies, field execution, and risk mitigation to help teams deliver projects that meet or exceed performance, schedule, and financial targets. By evaluating project risks early in the planning phase and shaping execution approaches-ranging from Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to Lump Sum and Design-Build-the Principal ensures projects are set up for success. As a thought leader, they facilitate decisions around contractor and supplier selection, validate business cases and key performance indicators, and guide Project Managers in applying Target Value Delivery to bridge executive vision with field-level execution.
The Principal of Construction Management drives continuous improvement and standardization across teams. This includes leading constructability reviews, managing field risks such as subcontractor buyout, productivity, and dispute resolution, and tracking GC performance. They facilitate Major Project Reviews and foster a culture of knowledge sharing through best practices and lessons learned. By engaging with contractors, integration managers, and suppliers, the Principal of Construction Management strengthens procurement strategies, enhances partnerships, and drives innovation. Their influence delivers consistency and accountability, raising delivery standards and helping the construction management function scale effectively .
Job Summary:
In addition to the responsibilities listed below, this senior technical/functional leader is also responsible for all phases of the design and/or construction process of highly complex construction and/or refurbishment projects, or series of projects, generally in the range of $150-250 million in cumulative budget responsibility; defining project parameters in terms of time, money, physical objectives and outside constraints; overseeing the work of project team(s) comprised of facility personnel, project staff, general contractors, and internal/external consultants; leading team(s) in establishing scope, budget and schedule, and maintains such commitments through design, construction, and close-out processes; and ensuring KP goals for client service are continuously met through the design and construction process.
This role is also responsible for providing guidance during all design stages of medical and/or regional facilities, including making economic comparisons of development schemes and recommending options in conformance to master plan; negotiating fees, and reviewing and approving consultant and contractor invoices and change orders; negotiating with local and state jurisdictions; leading and managing the timely procurement of all permits required by regulatory authorities; and supervising on-site design and/or construction teams, and communicating goals and program status with KP leadership.
Essential Responsibilities:
Promotes learning in others by communicating information and providing advice to drive projects forward; builds collaborative, cross-functional relationships. Solicits and acts on performance feedback; provides actionable feedback to others, including upward feedback to leadership; influences, mentors, and coaches team members. Practices self-leadership; creates, evaluates, and responds to the strengths and weaknesses of self and unit or team members. Leads the adaptation to competing demands and new responsibilities; adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback. Fosters open dialogue amongst team members.
Drives the execution of multiple work streams by identifying member and operational needs; translates business strategy into actionable business requirements; develops and updates new procedures and policies. Gains cross-functional support for objectives and priorities; determines and carries out processes and methodologies; solves highly complex issues; escalates and resolves issues as appropriate; sets standards and measures progress. Develops work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; coordinates, obtains and distributes resources. Removes obstacles that impact performance; guides performance and develops contingency plans accordingly; influences the completion of project tasks by others.
Oversees the delivery of large-scale projects with responsibility and accountability for project outcomes from initiation to close-out. Analyzes, integrates, and manages complex project plans which include scope identification and management, schedules, inter-dependencies, and resource forecasts. Manages and monitors the project financials of large and complex projects. Monitors overall project performance (e.g., on time, on budget, within scope, and with quality) against plan, ensuring measurement of business benefits and outcomes, and makes adjustments as needed. Leads project activities related to organizational change management (e.g., development and execution of user adoption, implementation, and training plans) as defined by the project. Assists in the establishment and management of proper project management practices in regard to allocation of resources, schedules and task assignments.
Drives the completion of the work of multiple project teams. Evaluates internal and/or external resources and provides feedback on team composition based on the alignment of team member skills and project demands. Creates and communicates a clear vision of project goals and objectives to the team. Provides guidance and feedback to team members.
Proactively monitors, identifies, and mitigates project risks, issues, and trigger events across multiple inter-dependent projects by developing mitigation plans and strategies; and resolving or escalating risks or issues as appropriate.
Monitors adherence of project activities to policies and procedures by ensuring project plans and team members follow KP, departmental, and/or business line policies and procedures.
Ensures the alignment, buy-in, engagement and support of diverse project stakeholders by building and maintaining relationships as well as communicating appropriately with internal customers, third party vendors, executive management, and business leaders; and clarifying accountability and authority across stakeholders. Identifies and works closely with key stakeholders based on their level of influence and decision making and ensures all appropriate stakeholders are represented and included. Determines project goals, influences the prioritization of deliverables, coordinates all business processes (e.g. project change management, communication) and facilitates decisions necessary for project delivery by partnering with project sponsors and/or review boards. Communicates tough issues to stakeholders while maintaining an independent opinion, providing recommendations, delivering formal presentations, and providing reports to executive audiences.
Reviews vendor performance to provide direction for service improvements or revisions to strategy. Partners with Procurement and/or Legal to develop service level and/or scope of work agreements as appropriate. Facilitates contract negotiations with vendors, and reviews and resolves issues with vendor invoices.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum six (6) years experience in construction and/or design project management.
Minimum five (5) years experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.
Minimum four (4) years experience implementing large, complex projects in a corporate, non-profit, or government environment.
Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and minimum ten (10) years experience in project management or a directly related field OR Minimum thirteen (13) years experience in project management or a directly related field.
Additional Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Negotiation; Applied Data Analysis; Financial Acumen; Business Relationship Management; Conflict Resolution; Managing Diverse Relationships; Product Development Life Cycle; Project Management; Project Management Tools; Risk Assessment; Quality Assurance Process; Service Focus
COMPANY: KAISER
TITLE: Principal of Construction Management
LOCATION: Pasadena, California
REQNUMBER: 1392719
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran, or disability status.
