The Canadian Union of Public Employees is inviting qualified and motivated individuals to apply for the bilingual position of Senior Construction Project Manager to work in the Administration Branch of the Finance and Administration Department, located at its National Office in Ottawa, Ontario. All candidates must apply through CUPE’s website and include a cover letter and résumé to be considered.
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, governance, and delivery of a diverse portfolio of construction and capital projects across Canada. This includes leasehold improvement projects, asset development, major renovations, and capital investment initiatives within a portfolio of approximately 70 owned and leased properties.
This role provides leadership to project management professionals and external consultants and ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations and organizational standards. The Senior Project Manager plays a key role in advancing organizational objectives through effective project planning and implementation, risk management, and stakeholder collaboration.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
Under the direction of the Director of Property Management, the successful applicant will be required to perform some or all of the following functions:
- Lead the planning and execution of construction and capital projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, long-term asset strategies, and approved budgets.
- Develop and maintain project governance frameworks, policies, standards, and best practices consistent with unionized environments.
- Provide expert advice to senior leadership on project feasibility, risk, cost, and scheduling implications.
- Contribute to multi-year capital planning and forecasting for owned and leased assets
- Oversee the full project lifecycle, from concept development and business case preparation through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and close-out.
- Manage complex, multi-site projects including leasehold improvements, major renovations, asset development, and capital reinvestment initiatives.
- Ensure projects meet quality, safety, sustainability, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions when required to address cost, schedule, or scope of work challenges.
- Develop and manage project budgets, ensure cost control, manage cash flows, and provide regular financial reporting.
- Oversee procurement strategies and contract administration for consultants, contractors, and vendors.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contractual obligations, and applicable legislation.
- Review and approve change orders, progress claims, and project close-out documentation.
- Act as the primary liaison with internal stakeholders, external consultants, contractors, landlords, and regulatory authorities.
- Collaborate with the property management team, the Finance and Administration Department, and the operations team to ensure coordinated project delivery.
- Provide regular status updates, reports, and briefings to the Director of Property Management and senior leadership and governance bodies.
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment consistent with CUPE values and organizational policies.
QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, project management, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the construction of commercial and office facilities, including leadership of complex, large-scale projects.
- Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, in both English and French.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects in a unionized environment is considered a strong asset.
- Experience overseeing projects within a national, multi-site real estate portfolio is considered a strong asset.
- Professional certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Responsible, Accountable, Informed, and Consulted (RAIC), or equivalent is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of construction methodologies and building systems.
- Intimate knowledge of the National Building Code, and all applicable codes and regulations, including applicable construction site safety regulations.
- Proven ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects with competing priorities.
- Excellent financial acumen, including budgeting, cost control, and capital forecasting.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel periodically across Canada.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT as set out in the collective agreement between CUPE and the CSU National Office Component.
WEEKLY SALARY RANGE: $2,766.73 to $2,799.69 (plus 7% bilingual bonus)
CUPE offers a generous employee benefits package: a defined benefit pension plan and group insurance including extended health and dental care, vision, hospital, prescription drugs, professional services, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.
Persons interested should click APPLY TO WORK FOR US, select National Office and Property Management, follow all required steps, and submit a cover letter and resumé no later than May 18, 2026. Please mention Senior Construction Project Manager in the subject line.
CUPE is committed to fostering a representative workplace and a culture grounded in respect, diversity and inclusiveness at all levels of our organization to ensure that our workforce reflects the diverse CUPE membership and the diverse communities in which we live and serve. CUPE encourages applications from qualified members of equity-deserving groups, including women, Black and racialized people, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. We will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates on any protected human rights grounds at any stage of the selection or recruitment process. Please inform us if you require accommodations by contacting us at hr [at] cupe.ca. (All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, CUPE members and existing CUPE staff will be given priority).