Project Manager – Landscape Architecture

Reports to:                       Studio Director for Landscape Architecture

Department:                    Capital Projects

Job Type:                         Full Time/Exempt

Schedule:                         9AM – 5PM

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

A Project Manager’s (PM) role on the project team is to ensure the established goals of a project are met. A project manager may work on several projects at once (depending on the scope of the projects) managing budgets, schedules, and design deliverables. Reporting to the Studio Director of Landscape Architecture, a PM is responsible for leading and mentoring Assistant Landscape Architects and Project Landscape Architects who are part of their project teams. The PM will also coordinate with external consultants, city agencies, and various internal stakeholders throughout all phases of design and construction.

The PM is a leadership position within the studio in which a person helps execute projects with Department Leadership.

Position Responsibilities

The Project Manager leads the process of design, coordination, and documentation for the design team and is the primary interface with the consultant team. The Project Manager has the following responsibilities:

·       Develop work plans and schedules for design, public and regulatory approvals, and bid procurement.

·       Determine the resources the project requires and manage the resources allocated to meet project objectives and schedules.

·       Manage the collaboration of project staff in developing appropriate designs, vetting proposed design solutions as required to ensure their viability, and maintaining the highest design quality standards.

As the lead on the project, leads the design team in:

·       Developing and communicating strategies for meeting project objectives and facilitating design project kick-off meetings.

·       Maintaining a tactical focus on project progress and milestones; identifying and managing critical path items to keep projects on schedule.

·       Managing site reconnaissance, the compilation and research of all project background information, and base material; developing site analysis based on the research conducted and information gathered.

·       Preparing and managing project scopes of work.

·       Identifying consultant services required on projects, developing consultant scopes of work and RFPs, reviewing and recommending proposals to Capital Projects leadership, managing consultants),managing and tracking design budgets and ASRs, and ensuring that deliverables address the project needs effectively and are obtained promptly as required by the project schedule.

·       Identifying all required agency/regulatory/utility signoffs and approvals (which, in addition to DPR, LPC, and PDC may include DOB, DOT, MTA, DEP, ConEdison, NYSDEC, and others); manages applications/submittals to secure required sign-offs and approvals.

·       Developing presentations for donors, the public approvals process, attending public meetings and presenting project designs to community groups and regulatory commissions.

·       Developing, refining, and communicating cost estimates at the appropriate level of detail throughout all design phases. Reporting on cost implications of design decisions/scope increases and managing design dialogue in the context of the project budget.

·       Reviewing designs for code compliance in coordination with studio leadership.

·       Documenting design decisions, including relevant background information and analysis.

·       Maintaining complete and well-organized project files, ensuring that files are organized consistently across the project team and that established protocols for file structure are followed.

·       Actively develop team members professionally and participates in the annual performance evaluation process.

Act as point person for the project team in:

·       Project communication and coordination with Capital Projects leadership and assigned Capital Projects Construction Manager.

·       Consulting with Conservancy operations staff during design to identify operational considerations.

·       Managing the transition from design development into the contract documentation phase to create high-quality detailing and construction documents, including drawings and specifications.

·       Facilitating project QA/QC throughout all phases of design and project closeout

·       Coordinate with in-house construction staff during procurement on preparation of addenda and review of bids

·       Attend weekly construction meetings responds to RFI’s, design submittals, shop drawings, reviews change orders, and prepares field observations.

Position Qualifications

·       Degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture.

·       Professional licensure in landscape architecture.

·       7+ years of progressively responsible design experience, including experience with public sector projects and historic landscape restoration.

·       Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and project management software like Smartsheet or MS Project is desirable.

·       Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication, technical, and organizational skills.

·       Actively contribute to departmental and Conservancy culture in a meaningful way.

·       Strong working knowledge of construction documentation, relevant design standards, codes, and industry standards of practice.

·       Ability to produce, review, and edit drawings and written documentation with high accuracy.

·       Ability to work independently with limited direction in managing assigned projects, staff, and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

·       Valid driver’s license.

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.