Founded in Houston in 1994, KIPP has become a national leader in partnering  with families and communities, to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose — college, career, and beyond — so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

In 2018, KIPP schools in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio joined forces to become KIPP Texas Public Schools, a nonprofit public charter school network, accelerating student academic outcomes and impacting more students across Texas. As a unified, statewide organization, KIPP Texas can more effectively leverage the talent, resources, instructional expertise, financial strength, and advocacy in the public charter school movement, in order to have an even larger impact with educationally underserved communities across the state.

In the 2020-2021 school year, KIPP Texas Public Schools will educate more than 31,100 students in 59 schools, placing the district among the top 50 largest in the state. KIPP Texas will continue to prove what is possible for its students, communities, and state, with a goal of growing to educate 100,000 students and achieving a 75% college graduation rate for alumni.

The mission and vision of KIPP Texas is grounded in five Core Values as its cultural North Star:

As a Team & Family, we:

Champion Equity

Chase Excellence

Persist with Purpose

Bring Joy

Rise Together

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools educating early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income families.

The Opportunity

A Senior Project Manager (Sr.PM) of Construction helps oversee and manage multiple large capital projects for KIPP including the construction of new campuses, buildings, renovation of buildings, capital replacement projects and large capital maintenance projects.  The Sr.PM will be responsible for delivering these projects on time and under budget with a complete scope of work.   Sr.PM will be responsible for pre-construction planning and project development through the final construction.   Sr.PM should therefore have significant and relevant experience, ability and technical knowledge in contracts, negotiations, risk management and project planning.  Sr. PM must be skilled and able develop a project from concept to completion. Sr.PM will plan and coordinate projects and oversee other project managers as a member of KIPP’s construction management team.   Sr.PM role is a ‘hands-on’ position and will be required to execute project work as well oversee, develop and mentor others in their work.  The Sr.PM of Construction will report directly to the Senior Director of Construction.

The position requires energetic and goal oriented individuals that can work closely in a team environment. The position provides on-the-job training and hands-on experience in the various disciplines and roles performed by KIPP’s construction department. Team members have the opportunity to continuously demonstrate their potential for advancement by mastering the skills needed and experiences learned for career and leadership development.

Assignment is Houston based but Austin, San Antonio and Dallas location will be given consideration for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Within Areas of Responsibility and Control, The Senior Project Manager of Construction will:

Project Management:

• Do work and lead teams in planning, design and construction operations in active hands-on role as “Owner’s Representative” for KIPP Texas Public Schools.

• Do work and lead teams with interdepartmental teams managing deliverables as part of the overall construction project requirements for the KIPP.

• Do work and lead teams with growth planning,  facility design assumptions, estimating, value engineering, scheduling and expediting.

• Lead, direct, collaborate and contribute as a member of the Construction Management Team, provide technical expertise and guidance in the overall execution of KIPP construction projects and programs. 

• Do work and lead teams to create, maintain and oversee project schedule and budget controls for new construction and large capital maintenance / replacement projects.

• Do work and lead teams to create and maintain systems and controls for managing areas within your responsibility and control.

• Do work and lead teams to create and contribute to systems and procedures to ensure that lessons learned and best practices are captured and implemented throughout the program with a goal of reducing KIPP’s total cost of ownership and providing best value.

• Participate with and lead others in fulfilling their duties for the project in your role as KIPP’s Senior Owner Representative.

Project Planning

• Do work and lead teams in pre-construction, site assessments, budget and scope development and initial project evaluations

• Do work and lead teams to create and maintain initial project schedules and pro forma budgets for projects

• Do work and lead teams in the project approval process including helping with stake-holder management, permit, contracting and negotiations.

Project Execution

• Day to day oversight and coordination of teams and projects,  assignment, and task that are within areas and responsibilities of your control. 

• Do work and lead teams in developing project execution plans which identifies the project objectives, success criteria, contracting strategy, risk assessment / mitigation plan, safety plan and overall criteria for success

• Do work and lead teams in the execution of projects,  directly or indirectly, with the assistance of direct hire construction managers or an owner’s agent / architect, and establish mechanisms to ensure the interests of KIPP are protected

• Do work and lead teams to create and maintain Project Controls such as project coordination plans,  stake-holder management plans,  communication plans, reporting plans, change order and document retention strategies

• Do work and lead teams in guiding design meetings with the project architects, engineers, construction contractors and KIPP personnel within areas of your responsibility.

• Do work and lead teams to create, support and dead the development of criteria and support the execution of sourcing activities to hire contractors and procure materials

• Do work and lead teams in Managing the budget and enforce change management processes

• Do work and lead teams to produce critical project controls reports, projections, schedules and and other risk management tools as needed.

• Produce reports as required by management

• Do work and lead teams in coordination efforts between contractors, KIPP personnel, management and school / site-based personnel and ensure projects on existing campuses are executed in a way that minimizes disruptions to teaching and learning

• Do work and lead teams in value engineering activities to reduce KIPP’s total cost of ownership

• Other duties as assigned

• 15-20 years of professional work experience, including business and leadership management experience 

• Minimum 5-10 years of direct construction management/supervisory experience with a general contractor, commercial owner/developer or relevant construction services firm experience deemed necessary for the position

• 3-5 years hands-on experience and responsibility for conceptual planning, budgeting, scheduling, and on time delivery, including responsibility for profit/loss performance.

• Proven record of success managing projects of $20M+  as lead or executive in charge

• Proven record of success managing 5-10 concurrent work packages of $50K-$500K as lead or executive in charge including renovation, repairs, upgrades

• Proven ability to run projects, meetings and presentations that are critical to success

• Proven ability to develop, create and implement project controls

• Proven ability to complete projects on time without deficiencies or defect

• Proven ability to identify risk and successfully implement mitigation controls

• Have significant and proven technical knowledge in construction, means and methods, contracts and risk management as well as all competencies required

• Proven leadership, team building and problem solving skills that is acknowledged by peers and industry professionals in areas of responsibility

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline, plus professional work experience, including business and leadership management experience consistent with the position being considered

• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) will be given preference if applicable for the position being considered

• Professional experience with construction management/supervisory experience with a general contractor, commercial owner/developer or related construction services firm

• Experience working in a school district, non-profit organization, or government agency, will be given preference when applicable for the position being considered

• Communicate effectively in writing, presentation, and discussion with a diverse set of stakeholders including KIPP leaders, executives and industry professionals.

• Be a team player and be capable of building consensus to support the execution of new initiatives and change management

• Embrace the KIPP mission and culture

• Demonstrate customer-focused attention that is effective, efficient, and ethical

• Proven leadership skills, self-motivated, collaborative and entrepreneurial by nature

• Manage projects independently and successfully by maintaining cost, schedule and other deliverables

• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy required

• Excellent organizational skills required

• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to work

• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative

• Proficiency in Google applications (Docs, Sheets, and Forms)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

• Advanced Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required for complex analysis

• Reliable transportation required;

• Willingness and ability to travel to and from work sites and other Texas regions when required in the performance of duties and in accordance with company policies.

• Veterans of the US military preferred; and

• Flexibility in work schedule.

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise. A competitive benefits package is also offered.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.