Ascend Learning, Inc.
Facilities and Real Estate Project Manager (Sales)
Ascend Learning; LLC (http://www.ascendlearning.com/) is a leading provider of technology-based educational, curriculum and assessment solutions for high-growth careers in a range of industries, including healthcare, fitness and wellness, and insurance and financial services. We provide outcomes-based solutions aimed at helping people enter, sustain and succeed in their chosen fields. Ascend employs more than 1,300 employees, with headquarters in Burlington, Mass., and offices in Kansas City metro, Phoenix metro, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Ann Arbor, Michigan, New York, and the U.K.
This role provides leadership in planning, budgeting, and overall management of real estate & facilities capital projects and initiatives. He/she will provide oversight to multiple projects of diverse scope from conceptualization through design, bidding, construction, commissioning, close out and handover. Various project types include interior new build and refresh fit-outs, infrastructure improvements, office moves and other capital projects. This leader will coordinate with 3rd party real estate functional teams and manage project resources to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, to stakeholder requirements, with minimal operational disruption, while also mitigating risk to the company. The ability to develop strong relationships, prepare and present clear and comprehensive project plans & updates and drive new initiatives is essential.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
• Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert to the business for all project-related activities
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with real estate Partners, landlord representatives, cross-functional departments, and the business teams to ensure project goals and requirements are clearly defined and communicated to all parties
• Lead and manage the efforts of third-party consultants, vendors, and key cross-functional departments to perform all project-related activities according to project milestones/timelines
• Implement project tracking mechanisms to be able to provide timely and concise updates on project progress to senior management and key stakeholders
• Manage all external design team professionals from project inception through completion and ensure they produce thorough and accurate drawings which comply with all established standards
• Review all drawing documents and specifications, coordinating necessary reviews with business unit representatives and regulatory authorities
• Working closely with finance & legal, coordinate bid evaluation and contract award processes where preferred vendors are not available. Coordinate the negotiation of contracts within Ascend Learning, ensuring that negotiation activities undertaken by other stakeholders in Ascend are meeting internal timelines
• Ensure Service Level Agreements are being reviewed and met in a timely way
• Manage relationships with all internal Company services such as IT, Security & Legal to ensure all requirements are satisfied as it relates to real estate and facilities projects
• Oversee the coordination of outside resources regarding the inventory, acquisition and disposition of furniture and/or other excess assets on assigned projects
Required Experience & Skills:
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in progressively more responsible Real Estate/Project Management leadership roles within technology/software organizations
• Proven ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and deep knowledge of all aspects of Project Management
• Demonstrated success in strong partnering with technology and enterprise IT operations
• Ability to see a vision and gain alignment across the organization with exceptional influencing & decision making that build consensus & alignment
• Demonstrated passion and proven success in driving continuous process improvement
• Strong influential skill set with internal and external stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in engineering, business administration or other relevant discipline.
• Lean and Six Sigma training and/or recognized real estate certification highly desired
Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.