Chief Manager - Projects

Job Description

IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) a Section 8 not-for-profit company, is India’s first University-based Research Park. Spread over 11.2 acres with 1.2 million sq. ft. of workspace, IITMRP is home to 250+ research-focused companies & labs, 450+ start-ups and 15 centres of excellence. IITMRP is recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. Envisioned as an ecosystem for “bringing unlike minds together,” IITMRP unites industry, academia, and startups to create strategic collaborative opportunities — enabling research to large-scale commercialization, fostering innovation through startups, and nurturing talent. As part of its growth initiatives, IITMRP intends to build an additional 6 Lakh Sq. Ft built-up area adjoining the current buildings called the Phase III Construction Project. Key considerations are: Key considerations of the Phase III Construction Project: Safety is paramount in all aspects of the building and the construction process. Balance Modern Technologies, Sustainability, and Affordability. Deliver good quality in record time using well-tested products, techniques and practices . Role To manage & deliver all aspects of the IITM Research Park Phase III Construction Project ensuring timely delivery within budget, quality, safety, and compliance parameters. The Chief Manager will be the primary Operations Leaders for the project reporting into the Senior Management of IITMRP Key Responsibilities Project Leadership & Planning: Define scope of the project with guidance from the Management (CEO/Professor-in-Charge) Lead the master planning, design validation including review of drawings, BOQ Prepare a detailed budget plan for the entire project and manage to it; Setup Project Governance, reporting protocols, and escalation mechanisms. Execution Oversight Oversee PMC/EPC contractors, ensuring adherence to design, timelines, costs and quality. Review and approve construction schedules, cash flows, resource plans. Conduct regular site reviews, quality audits, and risk assessments. Leads periodic review/progress update meetings with stakeholders Contract & Commercial Management Setup and manage a clear and transparent process for inviting proposals / quotations / tenders and related matters with oversight from Management. Receive, analyze, and prepare comparative statements on tenders; compare with relevant market rates and arrive at the justifiable amount at which the work can be awarded; Negotiate with the bidders/tenderers with the involvement of management team wherever needed. Control project budgets, certify payments with support from finance team. Stakeholder Coordination Works closely with Professor-in-Charge and Construction Committee to get technical inputs, and apprise them of progress and outcomes. Secures all needed management approvals. Primary interface with Architects, PMC, EPC and other vendors; ensuring all communications, decisions, any changes are clear, documented, and near real-time. Regulatory & Compliance Ensure all permits, NOCs, and statutory approval are secured Monitor compliance with safety, environmental, and labour norms and report regularly to Management Risk & Quality Management Proactively anticipate, document, discuss any scope changes, related impacts to various activities, costs, timelines and notify all stakeholders. Maintain a risk register to identify and document risks, and mitigating actions Setup and implement quality assurance protocols and safety management systems Required Qualification & Skills Graduate in Civil engineering from a reputed institution; preferably, with an MTech degree with specialization in Construction Technology and Management and/or MBA in relevant areas. At least 15 years of relevant engineering/project management experience with successful delivery of large-scale commercial/IT park projects or any other relevant projects . Demonstrated ability for process and product quality; for ensuring neat & tidy project sites, highest standards of safety, and creating zero-accident projects. Ability to prepare, read, visualize and understand construction drawings, bill of quantities, tender documents etc. Expertise on various laws related to Construction Contracts Proficient in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MS Projects, Primavera (or similar software), BIM software and other general computer software used for automation of construction Good communication skills in English and Tamil; Working knowledge of Hindi is a plus Good written communication skills to prepare, review, and process technical documents/reports Professional team management skills to motivate team for optimal performance, and drive discipline to meet project objectives. This position offers a scintillating opportunity to work with world class thought leaders in construction technology and deliver a best-in-class research & innovation workspace for Industries & Startups that will be a must-see location for global delegations from academia, government, and industry. Compensation will be commensurate with similar roles in the industry.