---
title: 'Senior Project Manager - Design at Massachusetts School Building Authority'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-project-manager-design-massachusetts-school-building-authority-boston-d859ajkvejdv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-04'
---

# Senior Project Manager - Design at Massachusetts School Building Authority

- **Company:** Massachusetts School Building Authority
- **Location:** Boston, MA
- **Compensation:** $110k–$124k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-04
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/massschoolbuildings/00648ec6-91e3-4541-b236-76e0b0b3fb10

## Job description

Job Title:                        Senior Project Manager – Design Team (2 positions) Department:              Capital Planning Reports To:                DesignDirector FLSA:                              Exempt Grade:                              13

## POSITION SUMMARY

The MSBA’s Design Team Senior Project Managers will collaborate to provide supervision and technical oversight for of design and architectural components of Core Program projects in MSBA’s Capital Pipeline. They will support the Design Director in leading efforts to identify, assess and communicate the potential impacts of updates and/or revisions to state, federal, and international building and energy codes on MSBA processes, policies, and guidelines.

Essential Function and Responsibilities

Individual and/or shared assignments will be coordinated to meet all job requirements and MSBA goals and objectives including:

- Management of MSBA’s Designer Selection Panel (“DSP”) to ensure compliance with MSBA designer selection policies and procedures and statutory requirements, including preparing documentation for and presenting project information to the DSP.
- Participation in the MSBA’s Owner Project Management Review Panel, Designer Selection Panel, or other various task forces.
- Procurement and management of Technical Services consultants, Educational Program consultants, and/or other consultants, including developing budget and approving invoices for external consultants within the Capital Planning Department.
- Manage internal review cycle to generate technical review comments for Core Program projects in the design development and construction document phases.
- Develop and manage MSBA’s Green Schools Program and sustainability policies.
- Prepare memoranda and other documentation capturing review findings and recommendations.  Convene meetings with MSBA staff, design consultants, Owner’s Project Managers, and local school districts representatives to review findings and recommendations.
- Perform Site visits, building assessments, and educational program space reviews of existing K-12 educational school facilities as part of the MSBA’s due diligence process for Statements of Interest.
- Provide supervisory review and quality assurance of technical comments and recommendations prepared by MSBA project management staff for accuracy and quality assurance consideration.
- Oversee Evaluate process of design documentation as part of the MSBA’s Design Standards/Design Review and serve as a technical resource for communities.
- Collaborate with Owner’s Project Managers, cost estimators, and construction specialists on behalf of MSBA during all project phases, including design development, construction, and building commissioning to do.
- Develop and implement MSBA construction and modernization programs and   technical design guidelines, standards and regulations.
- Collaborate periodically within the draft process of MSBA standards, procedures, and project advisories. Process associated with collaborative efforts for drafting
- Coordinate the development of training programs targeting programmatic, procedural, and technical challenges intended to enhance and develop K-12 school construction and modernization procedures and policies.
- Conduct independent and collaborative special technical studies to evaluate complex issues and develop recommendations supporting program objectives

Other Duties and Responsibilities

- Monitor and ensure the timely processing for establishing construction grants and project recommendation memorandum for Core Program projects seeking approval by the MSBA Board of Directors.
- Coordinate/prepare documents and/or presentation materials required for MSBA Board of Directors meetings, Facilities Assessment Subcommittee meetings, and other related meetings. Present material as required.
- Lead technical evaluations   of feasibility and schematic design submittals, design development, pre-bid construction documents, cost estimates, and related documents for Core Program projects and provide technical guidance to team as projects proceed through MSBA’s grant program.
- Monitor progress and provide guidance on technical review of plans, specifications, cost estimates, and related documents prepared by professional consultants and deliver subject matter expert guidance to ensure strict compliance with program criteria, and procurement regulations and statutes.
- Evaluate reviews and provide technical guidance of draft documentation prepared by “Design Team” staff associated with technical review comments, letters, and/or e-mails intended for transmittal to school districts, local officials, and professional consultants in accordance with MSBA policies and practices.
- Collaborate with assigned Capital Planning Project Managers and Project Coordinators in an effort to maintain good communications across teams.
- Lead meetings associated with “Design Team” updates, initiatives, progress reporting, team objectives, etc.
- Oversee consultant contract compliance during various design and construction phases in accordance with MSBA policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Secure recurring real-time monthly reports prepared by Owner’s Project Managers, capture changes with scope, budget, and schedule, and open issues requiring direction from MSBA Senior staff.
- Ensure that project-specific data for Core Program projects is being maintained in MSBA’s project management database.
- Monitor progress and ensure the timely review and processing of assigned school district requests for payment for Core Program projects.
- Participate in a leading role in establishing specific initiatives intended to enhance MSBA processes and practices in support of the overall needs of the Capital Planning department.
- Facilitate onboarding and technical training of new MSBA staff to ensure integration and acclimation to standards.
- Lead design and delivery of external training, other public outreach presentations, and official program publications for school district stakeholders
- Conduct periodic on-site visit to school buildings and prepare written summaries of observations.
- Support MSBA’s recruitment and training efforts of new personnel. Potential to perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

- Responsible for the hiring, training and supervision of Design Project Manager 3 as well as other Design Team staff.
- Lead, develop, and coach employees to accomplish departmental and individual goals and objectives.
- Communicate job expectations and establish, monitor, and assess employee performance.
- Ensure staff compliance with MSBA policies, procedures, and productivity standards.

Required Education, Experience and Skills

- Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, project management, construction, or a field related to building planning and design, and
- Ten (10) years of experience inbuilding design, construction, project management, or other applicable disciplines
- Two (2) years in a supervisory project management capacity
- Thorough knowledge of the design process from conceptual phases through construction documents.
- Demonstrated organization and time management, balancing multiple priorities, managing deadlines, and maintaining structured workflows in fast paced cycle environments.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team demonstrate flexibility, accountability, and adaptability across a variety of situations and project needs.
- Written and verbal communication, conveying complex information clearly and professionally to internal teams, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to conduct technical reviews with a high level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program requirements and standards.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook, enabling efficient documentation, analysis, communication, and collaboration.

## Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

- Demonstrated experience associated with Massachusetts public construction and/or educational facilities, knowledge of Massachusetts public procurement and bidding laws, and/or previous experience working with federal, state, county, or local government.
- Massachusetts Registered Architect.
- Working knowledge of Tableau software is a plus

This job description is intended to be general and will evolve over time.  The description is subject to periodic updating.  At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.

## About Massachusetts School Building Authority

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The MSBA is a quasi‑independent government authority that partners with Massachusetts communities to fund and oversee the design, construction, and renovation of sustainable, educationally appropriate public school facilities.
- **Entity Type**: Quasi‑public government agency (non‑profit, not publicly traded or venture‑backed)
- **Headquarters**: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- **Founded**: 2004 (created by the Massachusetts Legislature to replace the former school building assistance program)
- **Founders**: Established by an act of the Massachusetts General Court; not attributable to individual founders

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Government – Public School Capital Funding and Construction Management
- **Target customers**: B2G – Cities, towns, and regional school districts across Massachusetts
- **Mission statement**: “To partner with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost‑effective public school facilities.”

## Products & Services
- **Core Program**: Supports large‑scale new construction, additions, and major renovations. The MSBA invites school districts into a competitive, multi‑phase due diligence process and reimburses eligible costs based on a formula that accounts for community income, property wealth, and low‑income student proportion.
- **Accelerated Repair Program (ARP)**: For limited‑scope projects such as roof, window, and door replacements, plus heat‑pump conversion of heating systems. Over 550 projects are active or completed across 166 districts.
- **Green Repair Program (historical)**: One‑time $300 million program launched in 2010 that funded 189 green‑oriented repair projects (now evolved into the ARP).
- **School Survey / Building Condition Assessment**: The MSBA periodically surveys all public school facilities (1,818 schools in 2025) to assess building condition, using the data to prioritize funding and evaluate program needs.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (government authority with no equity value)
- **Key Revenue/Funding**:
  - Dedicated revenue source: 1% of the state’s 6.25% sales tax (approx. $1.4 billion in FY2025)
  - Total reimbursements since inception: over $18.9 billion
  - FY2025 grant payments to municipalities: ~$755 million
  - Total expenses for FY2025: ~$971 million (including $384 million in debt service)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**:
  - Board of Directors chaired by the State Treasurer (currently Deborah B. Goldberg, with CEO Jim A. MacDonald)
  - Seven‑member board including the Secretary of Administration & Finance, the Commissioner of Education, and four appointees (architect, former school committee member, university capital projects executive, former town administrator)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - In 2025, the MSBA invited 93 of 99 Statements of Interest into the ARP and 15 of 27 into the Core Program – the highest invitation rates in years
  - The Core Program project cap was increased to $1.2 billion in FY2024, with annual escalations up to 6.5%
  - $100 million in COVID‑inflation supplemental awards distributed to 30 districts by January 2025
  - Launched heat‑pump conversion projects within the ARP to support Massachusetts’ net‑zero carbon goal by 2050
  - 10 schools completed in 2025, bringing total completed Core Program schools to 245

## Competitive Advantages
- **Dedicated revenue stream**: The MSBA is funded by a fixed portion of the state sales tax, providing predictable, stable funding that is not subject to annual legislative appropriations.
- **Specialized expertise**: The agency has 20 years of experience managing large‑scale public school capital projects, from initial assessment through construction completion and final audit.
- **Efficient reimbursement model**: Districts receive payments as costs are incurred (typically within 15 days via an online portal), rather than waiting years for reimbursement – a significant improvement over the previous system.
- **Scale and track record**: Over 1,200 projects invited into the pipeline, $18.9 billion disbursed, and 1,748 projects with completed final audits.

## Strategic Focus
- **Net‑zero carbon alignment**: Partnering with the Commonwealth’s goal to achieve net‑zero emissions by 2050 by funding heat‑pump conversions and high‑efficiency building systems.
- **Equitable funding**: Using a needs‑based formula (base rate + incentive points for regionalization, renovation, energy efficiency) to allocate resources fairly across communities.
- **Facility condition improvement**: Continuing the 2025 School Survey (1,818 schools) and using data to direct funds to the most critical needs – while 89% of schools rate at condition 1 or 2, the agency targets the 10.7% that need moderate or major attention.
- **Program expansion**: Increasing the Core Program cap and invitation numbers to meet the high demand from districts for new and renovated schools.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission‑driven culture**: Employees contribute directly to improving public education infrastructure across Massachusetts, working with communities to create safe, sustainable learning environments.
- **Work location & flexibility**: Based in Boston; roles are hybrid (e.g., the External Affairs Coordinator and Deputy Director of Capital Planning positions listed as “Hybrid – Full‑Time Hybrid Boston, Massachusetts”).
- **Public‑sector stability**: A quasi‑public entity with a dedicated revenue stream, offering predictable funding and long‑term career security.
- **Meaningful impact**: Staff see tangible results – schools completed, grants distributed, and communities supported – with projects bidding over $1 billion annually through 2027.
- **Professional growth**: Opportunities in capital planning, project management, external affairs, and finance within a recognized state agency.

## Sources
1. [massschoolbuildings.org](https://massschoolbuildings.org/about)
2. [MSBA 2025 Annual Report (PDF)](https://massschoolbuildings.org/sites/default/files/edit-contentfiles/News_Events/Publications/MSBA_Annual_Report_CY25.pdf)
3. [mass.gov – Audit Overview](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/audit-of-the-massachusetts-school-building-authority-overview-of-audited-entity-0)
4. [jobs.lever.co/massschoolbuildings](https://jobs.lever.co/massschoolbuildings)
5. [massschoolbuildings.org – Senior Staff](https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/about/senior_staff)

## Other roles at Massachusetts School Building Authority

- [Capital Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/capital-program-manager-massachusetts-school-building-authority-boston-z81v3dg5qxee) — Boston, MA
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