Project Manager - Planning & Development M&O

Role Overview

This position leads the planning and development stage of school modernization work for LAUSD, guiding projects from initial concept through design and into the construction bidding phase. The role serves as the central coordination point among LAUSD teams, architects, engineers, utility providers, federal and state bodies, and internal leadership.

The work centers on managing complex capital programs with many moving parts. You will oversee pre-construction activity, develop and track budgets, maintain schedules, and make sure each project stays aligned with the approved scope. A key part of the role is resolving disagreements between design teams and district requirements, preparing progress updates for senior leadership, and driving projects forward through design and bidding.

This is a highly organized, communication-heavy, and problem-solving-focused role involving multiple projects at different stages at the same time. Some assignments will be in early planning while others will already be deep in design, so forward thinking and cross-functional coordination are essential. The projects supported through this position will be built and are intended to serve students for more than 50 years.

Key Duties

• Oversee and coordinate all phases of assigned projects, including pre-construction, development, bidding and award, and final close-out.
• Partner with design teams to keep work aligned with the approved scope and avoid unnecessary scope expansion.
• Prepare organized status updates and progress reports for upper management.
• Work with public agencies, including environmental, state education, utility, and government groups, to complete required federal and state processes and keep next steps moving.
• Track project budgets on a monthly basis and confirm that financial records accurately reflect project status.
• Address and resolve planning, design, and construction-related issues, conflicts, and disputes.
• Review project progress regularly and ensure work remains within the authorized project definition.
• Support the project team with contracts, bid planning, and contract administration.
• Apply established project and program policies and procedures, and help implement approved changes when needed.
• Assess new developments and strategies that may affect program goals and outcomes.
• Collaborate with technical staff to estimate costs for building and alteration projects.

Preferred Background

Experience working directly with LAUSD, another California school district, or a large public education system is preferred. Candidates with knowledge of school modernization requirements and limitations, experience with federally or state funded projects, familiarity with California environmental review and permitting, or a background in education facilities or capital planning will be especially well aligned.

Benefits and Workplace Culture

MAAS Companies, Inc. has spent nearly four decades earning the confidence of more than 50 educational institutions across California and has managed over $10B in projects. The organization describes its work as stable, fully funded, and meaningful.

The company is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP retirement benefit provided at no additional cost. MAAS also describes itself as profitable and well-managed, with a share price that has more than doubled since the plan began and has continued to grow each year. According to the company, ESOP participants nationally often accumulate 2.5x more in retirement savings than employees at non-ESOP companies.

MAAS reports that 96% of employees say it is a great place to work and 100% say coworkers genuinely care about one another.

Additional Information

This role is focused on building lasting public infrastructure that will serve students for decades. The work is described as steady, consequential, and highly collaborative.