Director of Project Management

Overview

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is seeking a dedicated Director of the Project Management Office to lead an internal team managing diverse organizational projects. This leadership role oversees capital projects, construction, renovations, facility initiatives, exhibit setups, technology deployments, and cross-department efforts. The position advocates for standardized project management methodologies, ensuring all projects are well-planned, clearly communicated, precisely documented, and effectively completed within defined scope, timeframes, and budgets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Project Managers team, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and service.
• Implement organization-wide project management processes, templates, and reporting standards.
• Assign projects according to priority, complexity, resource availability, and team skills.
• Provide strategic guidance to overcome challenges, manage risks, and align stakeholders.
• Maintain visibility of all active and planned projects, partnering with executives to prioritize initiatives based on strategic value, funding, and impact.
• Oversee construction and capital improvement projects in coordination with facilities leadership, ensuring alignment with campus goals.
• Manage relationships and communications with architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, and regulatory bodies throughout project lifecycles.
• Prepare and deliver portfolio updates, dashboards, and risk assessments to senior leadership.
• Direct budget management for multi-million-dollar projects, including forecasting, cost control, and financial accountability.
• Develop and enforce project governance, approval, and risk management frameworks.
• Ensure smooth transitions from project completion to operational ownership and perform post-project evaluations for continuous improvement.
• Supervise team performance, provide coaching, and support succession planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, project management, business, facilities management, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Seven+ years of progressive project management experience, including at least five years in construction or capital projects preferred.
• Proven leadership experience managing project managers and multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with construction management documentation, scheduling, budgeting, contract administration, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences and stakeholder collaboration.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) and construction management certifications preferred.
• Experience working in environments such as museums, educational institutions, government, or public-facing campuses is advantageous.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work primarily in office settings while frequently visiting active construction and campus sites, navigating uneven terrain, and complying with safety protocols.
• Availability to address urgent project issues and participate in off-hours meetings or activities as needed.

Benefits and Work Environment

This full-time position includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama coverage encompassing medical, prescription, dental, and vision care. Additional benefits include paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and state retirement plans. The work environment involves both office and onsite conditions with occasional exposure to construction-related noise, dust, and weather.

Equal Opportunity

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is committed to equal employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Disclaimer

Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change with or without notice to meet organizational needs.