Job Title: Construction Project Manager
Reports to: Vice President for Construction
Department: Capital Projects
Job Type: Full-Time/Exempt
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm
ABOUT THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The Park sees a unique and extraordinary level of use, with over 42 million visits per year.
The Central Park Conservancy (“the Conservancy”), a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair at that time. Since its founding, the Conservancy has grown to be fully responsible for the physical maintenance and upkeep of the Park through a management agreement with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. To date, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, employs nearly 400 people, and has an operating budget of $120 million.
The Capital Projects department is responsible for and supports the Conservancy’s efforts of restoration and stewardship of Central Park, with an ongoing program of work that includes historic and ecological landscape and water body restorations, redesign of playground and recreation facilities, infrastructure modernization and a wide range of architectural rehabilitation projects. The department is approximately 30 people composed of primarily planners, landscape architects, and architects whose focus includes the planning, design, and construction of projects of varying complexity, program, and scale. Most recently, the Capital Projects department was responsible for the completion of the award-winning Davis Center in the Northend of the Park and the restoration of the Conservancy Garden.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Vice President for Construction, the Construction Project Manager is responsible for leading the construction execution of multiple projects of varying scopes within Central Park. All projects, no matter the level of scope or complexity, must be executed at the highest level of professionalism as they take place in a landmarked, highly visible Public Park.
As a key member of the project team, this role oversees all phases of construction delivery—from preconstruction planning through project completion. Responsibilities include providing feedback for constructability and cost efficiency, managing procurement of contractors and materials, and ensuring seamless coordination among critical stakeholders. During construction, this role serves as the primary point of contact, administering contracts, monitoring progress and quality of work, providing leadership to junior staff, and maintaining an on-time and on-budget construction project.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
During the planning, design, and procurement phases, this role will be an integral part of the project team and manage preconstruction activities including but not limited to the following:
• Review and provide feedback to the design team on construction documents based on constructability, cost, schedule, and logistics.
• Coordinate and execute any necessary pre-construction field investigations, such as design probes and environmental testing.
• Identify qualified bidders and prepare Request for Proposal documentation, including any required project specifications.
• Manage contractor procurement process including site visits, bid coordination, and leveling of received bids. Provide justifications and award recommendations to department leadership for contract execution.
• Manage owner supplied materials procurement process including site visits, bid coordination, and leveling of received bids. Provide justifications and award recommendations to department leadership for contract execution.
Once a project has been awarded to a contractor, this role will be the main point of contact for the project. This role will be responsible for the following management duties, including mentoring and directing junior staff:
• Administer construction contracts, singular or multiple due to scope of project, and oversee work performed by contractors.
• Coordinate with design team all regulatory agency approvals, permits, or reporting prior to and throughout construction, including procurement of third-party special inspections firm.
• Collaborate with Capital Projects program and design staff before and during construction to ensure quality work that accomplishes project objectives in a cost-effective manner.
• Manage weekly construction meetings with design team, contractor, and CPC Operations as needed.
• Proactively identify issues and risks related to construction and advise on strategies to mitigate.
• Ensure compliance with contract documents.
• Ensure that project sites are managed in a safe, clean, and professional manner, and that all project required signage is maintained to the highest standard.
• Maintain daily reports and photo-documentation of in-progress and completed work by contractors.
• Procure, coordinate, and inspect material deliveries.
• Provide timely reports on schedule and budget through CPC’s standard formats.
• Manage all contract finances and exposures against project budgets.
• Manage change order negotiation process.
• Manage the contractor payment process; perform field measurements and calculations for payments.
• Coordinate all construction work with CPC staff, including but not limited to Capital Projects Leadership Team, Operations, Events, IT, and Visitor Experience.
• Manage junior support staff as required.
• Perform other duties as required.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
• Passion for Central Park and the Conservancy’s mission.
• Degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.
• 7 - 10 years of relevant experience including construction management.
• Understanding of construction means and methods as well as safety standards.
• Familiarity with codes and industry standards of practice.
• Familiarity with SWPPP inspection and reporting processes.
• Effective business writing.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing multiple complex construction projects at the same time.
• Proficiency working with MS Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam.
• Experience with AutoCAD or Revit preferred.
• Motor vehicle Driver’s License valid in New York State.
Salary range: $89K to $115,400 (based on level of experience).
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.
Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.
In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potentially dangerous condition, he/she/they should alert other employees and notify his/her/their supervisor immediately.
DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
