Design and Construction Project Manager
Summary
Manages capital improvement projects at Gerald R. Ford International Airport — both vertical (structural/architectural/MEP/IT) and airfield (civil/electrical) — leading third-party architects, contractors, and internal departments through budgets, schedules, submittal reviews, and ORAT/closeout. Tools include PMWeb, Bluebeam Revu, BIM, AutoCAD, and GIS.
We invite individuals who are enthusiastic about the aviation industry and dedicated to providing a world-class experience to apply. Join us and be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration, supports each other's development, and embraces diverse ideas and perspectives.
Serving as Michigan's second busiest airport and recognized as one of the best small airports in the country by USA Today, Gerald R. Ford International Airport stands as a testament to West Michigan's vibrant growth. The airport serves over four million passengers annually, with seven commercial airline partners offering nonstop flights to over 30 destinations. As a vital economic engine in the region, it supports more than 40,000 jobs and contributes over $7 billion to the economy each year.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport has received multiple awards from Airports Council International World's 2023 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, including Best airport 2 to 5 million passengers in North America; Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff in North America; Easiest Airport Journey in North America; Most Enjoyable Airport in North America; and Cleanest Airport in North America. Managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, the airport is committed to creating an exceptional travel experience for our passengers while fostering growth and prosperity for all of West Michigan. Our team is dedicated, passionate, and focused on innovation, making it a great place to build a rewarding career.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Design & Construction Project Manager will, under general supervision from the Engineering Manager, perform professional design and construction project management work associated with capital improvement projects and asset development by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA) that are broadly vertical (typically structural/architectural/MEP/IT) or airfield (typically civil or electrical). A predominantly vertical or airfield project may include elements of either type. The work involves leading, supervising, and coordinating projects with teams comprised of 3rd party design architects and engineers, general contractors, and 3rd party vendors providing project controls or inspections services as well as GFIAA division staff from Public Safety & Operations, Maintenance and Asset Management, Finance, IT, and Commercial Development. An employee in this assignment is expected to resolve problems of a high professional and technical nature. This assignment is highly specialized and responsible for critical thinking requiring a high degree of professional competence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Listed examples are illustrative and representative of the tasks required of this classification but are not intended to be complete or exhaustive for this position.
- Integrate GFIAA’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals into all areas of responsibility.
- Provide project management for multiple capital development projects at one time, including budget, scope, schedule and application of alternative delivery methods for assigned projects, coordination of contract documents, and selection of consultants and contractors, drawing and submittal reviews, and stakeholder engagement.
- Coordinate closely with assigned Asset Owners from other GFIAA departments to achieve project success in a collaborative environment.
- Support the evaluation of design and cost proposals for capital development projects and Statements of Qualifications submitted by consulting architects & engineers and/or general contractors.
- Support, coordinate, and collaborate with GFIAA project controls functions including design & construction budgets, schedules, risk mitigation, payment process, and GFIAA document management procedures and software.
- Actively participate in and/or lead the Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) process and closeout functions for each project.
- Create presentations and hold project team meetings with stakeholders, GFIAA staff, airlines, airport tenants and consultants to review projects and keep them updated and informed as projects move through planning and development phases.
- Collaborate with and manage architectural & engineering designers and contractors to ensure project conformance with applicable municipal, county, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Understand and review updates to federal, state and regional rules and regulations pertaining to airport management, aviation planning principles and standards, and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 139 certified airports. Remain current on trends in airport construction and the aviation industry.
- Demonstrate creativity, foresight and mature judgment in anticipating and solving unpredictable problems.
- Work more than forty hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays, as required.
REQURIED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
A typical manner of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in construction management, architecture, civil engineering, construction engineering, or other related fields; and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in design and construction project management including projects valued at least $3-$5 M; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Aviation experience will be considered but is not required. Aviation related duties will be supported by other GFIAA staff. Other requirements include demonstrated ability to:
- Establish and maintain project scopes and budgets, managing tasks and workflows.
- Apply architectural and engineering, construction, and project management principles, methods, and techniques to theoretical and practical problems and project reviews with versatility, judgment, and perception.
- Organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate practical problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
- Work cooperatively with other GFIAA employees and internal/external stakeholders.
- Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
- Utilize budget control and schedule software (PMWeb) and have familiarity with common design and construction technology tools including Bluebeam Revu, BIM, AutoCAD, and GIS, and possess an understanding of the appropriate level of graphic support needed to convey ideas, alternatives, and general information to colleagues and the public.
- Communicate and work positively with coworkers, project stakeholders, consultants, contractors, tenants, representatives of local units of government, and community members from widely diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Maintain a valid state driver’s license.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Working knowledge of vertical, airfield, or civil construction industry practices.
- Knowledge of asset development and maintenance practices.
- Experience with capital funding, revenue streams, and annual capital improvement programming.
- Experience with sustainable building practices.
- Experience managing staff and/or consultants.
- Experience preparing, reviewing, and updating project schedules and construction estimates.
NOTES:
- Candidate must be able to pass required FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check in addition to pre-hire and random drug and alcohol screenings.
- Candidate must maintain an appropriate level airport badge at all times.
CONTACTS:
This position has frequent contact with:
- The Authority Board and subcommittees.
- Internal employees and external departmental clients.
- Consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
- Airline, tenant staff members, and other internal and external stakeholders as needed.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Architecture license, Construction or Project Management certification, Professional Engineer license, or Engineer-In-Training certification encouraged.
- Must possess, or obtain within six months of hire, a State of Michigan certification as an Industrial Storm Water Management Operator.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.
- Is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop, and kneel; use hands to manipulate electronic keyboard, finger, handle grasp or feel; use hands and arms to reach forward and at shoulder level.
- To talk and hear in order to communicate in person and by telephone, computer, or radio.
- Must frequently lift and/or exert force up to ten pounds and occasionally 25 pounds.
- Is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time and to move about the work site and off-site locations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Work is normally performed in an office environment, but may require some exposure to noise, fuels, chemical, and other contaminants; moving mechanical hazards; movement area hazards; and extremes of temperature and inclement weather conditions, especially when performing surveying functions.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.
10/2026
8a - 4:30p