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Director, Project & Construction Management

Karachi, Pakistan

Job Expired

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

Responsibilities

The role of this position will be to ensure timely and effective implementation of Aga Khan University's Projects in Pakistan. This includes planning and design process for the project, development and implementation of land acquisition strategies, developing tendering and construction strategies for the projects, preparing the project execution plan and schedules for all aspects of the projects.

This position will report to the Chief Facilities and Administrative Officer and shall lead a diversified team of professionals, you will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to the team. Ensure that the division’s vision, mission and values are upheld and consistent with University’s plans and represent AKU at national and international forums. Liaise with stakeholders i.e., academic units, administrative departments, and other University functions.

Specific responsibilities will include:

Examine the scope, plans, and budgets of projects and also ensure that the funds are adequately utilized
Meet financial objectives by forecasting requirements, preparing budget assessment reports, scheduling expenditures, observing variances, and initiating corrective actions to ensure effective financial management
Manage cost-effective delivery of the construction portfolio, which encompasses Capital Projects in main campus and all offsite/outreach facilities
Work towards the achievement of strategic objectives of the Campus Development Division. This includes crafting strategic goals and actions for the timely accomplishment of University’s proposed initiatives and aggressive growth plan
Review existing processes and systems and recommend policy and procedure improvements. Implement AKU Board-approved recommendations for robust project governance and organizational structures
Maintain knowledge of current trends and advancements in the field of Project & Construction Management, with a specific focus on healthcare projects. Advocate the use of emerging technological tools and systems for efficient project delivery
Ensure that tools and procedures are in place for capturing project and construction level risks and develop strategies for mitigating identified risks
Implement an effective Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) program for all construction sites, ensuring a safe environment for campus users, especially patients and neighbours, during construction
Build strategic relationships with key stakeholders globally and locally. Provide full support to other AKDN partners as and when required
Foster close liaison with key stakeholders for the resolution of escalated issues and matters. Ensure that the expectations of customers related to project time, cost, and quality are met
Implement an efficient internal and external communication and reporting strategy to ensure timely communication to stakeholders
Regularly provide updates (written/presentations) to the University Leadership, Board, and other external agencies on the physical progress, costs, risks, issues, and budget utilization of the construction portfolio
Provide direction to Project Managers and other stakeholders in the development of business cases, project management plans and schedules
Provide oversight to the Project Controls functions for close monitoring of the plans against approved baselines
Undertake recruiting, orienting, training, scheduling, and disciplining employees
Communicate job expectations, plan, monitor, appraise, and review job contributions, and enforce policies and procedures
Devise and implement robust contracts management systems that enable the sourcing of the best contractors and consultants
Establish efficient and transparent procedures for bidding, technical evaluations, and post-award contracts administration.

Requirements

You should have:

Master's / Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, architecture or construction management from a recognized University
Minimum 10 to 12 years of progressive experience of managing large scale complex construction projects. Manage facilities, staff supervision, budget management, training programs or other related areas in a large multi-size organization
Sound philosophy of management techniques and value teamwork concepts. Must have prior experience of implementing Process Enhancement/ Organizational change management initiatives
Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to describe complex ideas in clear and meaningful forms to various audiences
Analytical and focused thinking with clearly defined and established standards by understanding the implications and impact
Entrepreneurial drive with ability to work in dynamic and unpredictable environment
Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams both individually and collectively
Advocate and commit ongoing training to foster a learning culture within the department.