Senior Project Manager of Capital Improvements

Job Title: Senior Project Manager of Capital Improvements (Housing)

Location: 488 Madison Avenue

FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Classification: Senior Professional

Department: New York Institute for Human Development (IHD)

Salary: $165,000 - $185,000

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Direct Reports: Project Managers, Construction/Capital staff, and external consultant teams

Catholic Homes oversees over 3,000 affordable housing units across Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, and parts of upstate New York, with an additional 2,000 units in various stages of development.

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager of Capital Improvements to serve as the senior leader accountable for the full lifecycle of capital planning and the implementation of capital improvement work across the portfolio. The Senior Project Manager will independently own and drive three mission-critical mandates: (1) the multi-year capital improvement program, its budgets, and the execution of the work itself; (2) post-Year 15 capital assessment — commissioning Capital Needs Assessments following LIHTC investor exit and determining what major capital improvement work is required; and (3) portfolio-wide regulatory and risk compliance, including NYC Local Law obligations and insurance. The Senior Project Manager sets strategy, manages teams and consultants, controls multi-million-dollar budgets, and advises executive leadership on the physical health of the portfolio.

Capital Improvements — Full Program Ownership

• Capital Strategy & Planning: Own and maintain the multi-year, portfolio-wide capital improvement plan; prioritize scope across 2,600+ existing units based on physical need, funding, and long-term asset value.
• Capital Budget Authority: Develop, control, and defend multi-million-dollar capital and construction budgets; manage reserves (including replacement reserves), forecast expenditures, approve draws, and report variances to executive leadership.
• Program & Project Delivery: Direct the full delivery of renovation projects, large-scale capital improvements, and construction activities from concept through closeout, holding project managers and contractors accountable to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Physical Needs Assessments: Commission and act on Integrated Property Needs Assessment (IPNA) and Capital Needs Assessments (CNAs) and engineering studies; translate findings into funded, sequenced work plans.
• Procurement & Vendor Governance: Set procurement standards; oversee assembly and evaluation of bid packages, qualification of contractors, contract negotiation, and vendor performance management.
• Sustainability & Capital Value: Embed energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainability objectives into the capital program to reduce operating cost and preserve long-term asset value.

Compliance — Local Law & Insurance

• NYC Local Law Compliance: Own portfolio-wide compliance with NYC building and environmental Local Laws — including but not limited to Local Law 97 (emissions), Local Law 11/FISP (façade), Local Law 88/87 (energy), Local Law 26/parapet, lead (Local Law 31), and elevator/boiler mandates — tracking deadlines, filings, and penalty exposure across every asset.
• Regulatory Agencies: Direct coordination with the Department of Buildings, Department of Environmental Protection, HPD, HDC, HCR, and other agencies to ensure permits, inspections, and filings are current and defensible.
• Insurance Ownership: Own the property and construction insurance function — including coverage adequacy, builder’s risk, certificates of insurance, contractor insurance requirements, claims management, and loss control — in partnership with brokers and executive leadership.
• Risk & Loss Prevention: Build and maintain a compliance calendar and risk register; proactively identify exposure, remediate violations, and minimize fines, claims, and premium impact across the portfolio.
• Safety & Codes: Ensure all work complies with building codes, safety standards, and environmental regulations, and that field practices meet contractual and insurer requirements.

• Team Leadership: Hire, supervise, mentor, and develop project managers and capital/construction staff; delegate effectively and build a high-performing team.
• Executive & Board Reporting: Define and track KPIs for capital, compliance, and construction performance; present portfolio condition, risk, and financial findings to the COO, executive leadership, and reports that go to the Board.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Serve as senior liaison across Asset Management, Property Management, Development, Finance, and Legal to align physical strategy with operational and financial goals.
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as the senior point of contact among ownership, property managers, contractors, agencies, investors, and consultants throughout the capital and construction lifecycle.
• Governance & Records: Establish standards for project documentation, contracts, and reporting; ensure comprehensive, audit-ready records across all capital and compliance activity.
• Problem Solving: Resolve complex construction, financial, and regulatory challenges with minimal disruption to residents and operations.

This is a full-time position. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required to accommodate project deadlines and filing deadlines. Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary.

• Regular (weekly or more) travel to assets and construction sites across Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Westchester.
• Ability to navigate active construction sites and oversee inspections.
• Combination of office-based work and fieldwork.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in construction management, engineering, architecture, urban planning, real estate, or a related field; Master’s degree or PE/RA/PMP/CCM credential preferred.
• Minimum of 5–10 years of progressive experience in construction and capital improvement management, including affordable housing, with demonstrated leadership/ownership of a capital program or portfolio.
• Direct experience commissioning and interpreting Capital Needs Assessments and planning major capital work.
• Demonstrated experience owning regulatory compliance and/or insurance/risk for a real estate portfolio.
• Prior experience supervising staff and managing external consultants and contractors.

Skills and Competencies

• Deep knowledge of NYC Local Laws, building codes, safety standards, and construction methodologies.
• Strong command of affordable housing programs and regulatory agencies (HPD, HCR, HUD, DOB, DEP).
• Proven financial acumen — owning multi-million-dollar capital budgets, reserves, forecasting, and variance reporting.
• Working knowledge of property and construction insurance, builder’s risk, and claims/loss control.
• Proficiency in construction and project management software (e.g., Procore, MS Project) and portfolio/asset reporting tools.
• Excellent executive communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, with the ability to lead multiple concurrent priorities and teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Homes.