Construction Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 10, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 10, 2026.
~~~This role is offered through [MSP/supplier/third party provider], who, if selected, will be your employer. If your services are retained, you will be assigned to provide services to Novartis as the end client. This is not an offer of employment with Novartis. If you are selected for this Temporary/External opportunity, you will not be an employee of Novartis and will not be eligible for any Novartis employee benefits or incentives. ~~~
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Construction Manager
Position Overview
Novartis is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to support the Red Cedar Expansion Project in Durham, NC. This high-profile capital project involves the demolition and modification of existing manufacturing suites and utility spaces, along with the installation of two high-speed filling lines, inspection equipment, parts washers, autoclaves, and supporting utilities within an operating biomanufacturing facility.
The Construction Manager will serve as the owner's on-site representati ve, providing leadership and oversight of contractor activities while maintaining accountability for project cost, schedule, quality, and execution. The ideal candidate will engage early in the design phase through construction completion, ensuring constructability, minimizing commercial risk, and driving successful project delivery in a regulated GMP environment.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the on-site owner's representative, overseeing contractor-led construction activities and ensuring adherence to project objectives related to cost, schedule, quality, and safety.
Actively participate during detailed design reviews to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, coordination issues, and package ambiguities that could result in cost escalation or change orders.
Monitor and evaluate baseline and look-ahead schedules, identify potential delays, and drive recovery plans to maintain project milestones.
Optimize construction execution strategies, including sequencing, logistics planning, trade coordination, productivity improvements, and constraint management.
Oversee field quality activities, ensuring compliance with GMP requirements and coordination with Quality, Validation, and Commissioning teams.
Review design packages, bid documents, and construction work scopes to ensure completeness, clarity, constructability, and alignment across disciplines.
Proactively manage change orders, claims, and commercial risks by evaluating field conditions, entitlement, pricing, and schedule impacts while protecting owner interests.
Prepare concise executive-level reports highlighting project status, cost and schedule risks, quality concerns, contractor performance, pending changes, dispute resolution, and savings opportunities.
Foster collaboration among engineering, construction, commissioning, validation, and operations teams to ensure smooth project execution within an active manufacturing environment.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 15 years of experience in Construction Management and/or Project Management, supporting large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences capital projects.
High School Diploma required; additional technical, engineering, construction management, or related education is preferred.
Strong experience serving as an Owner's Representative on complex construction projects.
Demonstrated experience managing project cost, schedule, quality, contractor performance, and change management.
Extensive knowledge of construction means and methods, project controls, contract administration, and field execution.
Experience working within GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing environments is required.
Proven ability to influence stakeholders, challenge assumptions, and drive practical project execution strategies.
Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting manufacturing facility expansions, equipment installations, and brownfield construction projects within active operations.
Familiarity with commissioning, qualification, and validation processes in regulated environments.
Experience working on pharmaceutical filling lines, utilities, clean rooms, or aseptic manufacturing facilities is highly desirable.
Industry Experience: Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, with GMP Manufacturing
Location: Durham, NC (100% on-site)
Shift: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pay Rate: $75/hr - $80/hr ~~W-2 Only (based on Education/Experience)
Contract: 18-month
Health, dental, vision, 401k (provided minimum eligibility hours are met)
Why Novartis:
Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accommodation:
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Magnit at [email protected].