Services

Facilities Project Management

  • Whether your project is a minor facility improvement initiative or a more extensive construction endeavor, Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) has the expertise and resources to bring significant value to your undertaking. HOC can provide valuable assistance throughout various stages, including design and planning, preconstruction, procurement, construction, and post-construction. Acting as an Owner’s Project Manager, HOC works diligently to represent the priorities and aspirations of all stakeholders involved in the project, ensuring that their needs are met and integrated into the overall process.

  • Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) has successfully led a diverse range of major logistical operations, including notable high-rise furniture installations that have furnished over 700 units in various residential buildings. Additionally, the firm has expertly coordinated the complex move-in process for approximately 3,000 to 5,000 students, along with all of their personal belongings, onto college campuses in just a single weekend. HOC has taken the lead in the installation efforts for furniture within newly constructed facilities, and has also facilitated the seamless transition of owners into their new spaces across various sectors, including Higher Education, K-12 schools, and Commercial Real Estate. Furthermore, HOC's move management projects can be coordinated both locally in Chicago as well as out of state. The firm has successfully coordinated move activities in multiple regions, including Illinois, Massachusetts, and Indiana, ensuring that each project is executed with utmost efficiency and attention to detail.

  • Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) can effectively assist clients in the comprehensive procurement of furniture and equipment packages tailored specifically for their unique projects. HOC has successfully led extensive RFP processes for a variety of clients, and has negotiated favorable multi-year contracts with furniture brokers and dealers to establish and maintain stable pricing rates. Additionally, HOC has managed extensive multi-year, multi-million dollar furniture replacement cycles in student housing at three major universities located in Chicago, and has facilitated the selection of new furniture for newly constructed residence halls—one with a capacity 465 beds. Furthermore, HOC has spearheaded the selection and procurement efforts of furniture in K-12 education settings, securing a substantial $3 million contract, as well as in the field of Commercial Real Estate, where they successfully executed a $4 million furniture contract.

  • Hart O’Brien Consulting (HOC) is well-equipped to assist organizations with various aspects of the RFP and Contract Negotiation Processes, including the development of Service Level Agreements and the drafting of Memoranda of Understanding. Jennifer, a seasoned professional, brings decades of experience to the table, having successfully negotiated large vendor service contracts in a wide range of areas such as general contractor, roofing and masonry, custodial services, elevator maintenance, pest control, laundry services, vending operations, and more. Additionally, she has substantial experience working in unionized environments, where she has actively participated in the renewal processes for union contracts. Furthermore, Jennifer has successfully negotiated and authorized numerous service level agreements and memorandums of understanding between diverse project partners, ensuring clear communication and mutual understanding.

Customized Project

Project scope and needs to be negotiated

Higher Education & Student Housing Strategic Planning

  • Hart O’Brien Consulting can assist your university student housing portfolio in effectively shrinking or strategically growing by implementing a range of comprehensive occupancy management approaches. These include in-depth rate structure comparisons, tailored strategies designed to increase overall occupancy rates, innovative strategies for managing growth in occupancy levels, as well as practical approaches for effectively managing any surplus in housing stock that may arise.

  • If you are currently working to determine the long-term viability of future housing construction on your campus, Hart O’Brien Consulting is available to assist you by employing the following specialized tools: a comprehensive Feasibility Study, an in-depth Housing Market Demand Study, and organized Student and Campus Partner Focus Groups. These resources are designed to provide you with valuable insights and data to inform your decision-making process.

  • Hart O’Brien Consulting can expertly assist your long-range student housing initiatives and comprehensive campus plans through our specialized services, which include Residence Master Planning and detailed Facilities Assessment. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your institution's needs are met efficiently and effectively.

  • With more than 20 years of extensive experience in student housing operations, combined with significant expertise in university campus emergency response protocols, Hart O’Brien Consulting is well-qualified and positioned to assist you in your thorough operational procedure reviews. Our services include comprehensive Business Continuity Planning, as well as detailed Emergency Procedure and Business Procedure Audit offerings, ensuring that your institution is prepared for any situation that may arise.

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Client and Stakeholder Testimonials

  • Occupancy Planning/Capital Planning/New Construction

    “Jennifer brings a high level of expertise to her work. She is a consummate professional and approaches each project with a well thought out plan based on data that is formatted in such a way that it is accessible to all audiences. Her strong writing ability brings with it strong proposals and well-crafted communication. Jen is skilled at gaining buy-in, and is a collaborative colleague. She is one of those wonderful team members with competence in multiple areas including occupancy management, budget and capital planning, facility operations and relationships. I highly recommend Jennifer for any project and have been so fortunate to work alongside her over the years.”

    Deb Schmidt-Rogers, Former Assistant Vice President and Director of Residence Life, Loyola University Chicago (Current Senior Director, Office of the Residential Experience at Northwestern University)

  • New Construction/Contract Negotiation/Facility Assessment

    “Jennifer is a skilled negotiator who led our efforts to control contract costs and assured contract compliance. On the customer care side, she developed, authored and negotiated detailed service level agreements across her portfolio. She performed facility condition assessment folio and led our team in developing a 800 bed residential hall and dining commons. I can highly recommend Jennifer if you are looking for that type of expertise without reservation."

    Kevin Austin, former supervisor and colleague at the University of Chicago, current Director of Facilities Services at Pomona College

  • Numerous FFE Projects

    “Jennifer O’Brien has worked with me on multiple projects over more than the past decade. What sets her apart is her attention to detail and the ability to handle the numerous components that comprise housing projects of various sizes and complexity. In addition she is patient but persistent and creates a cooperative environment in supervising and leading. It has been a pleasure to work with her and know her and I recommend her services without reservation.”

    Al Keener, Furniture Consultant, RT London

  • FFE Project

    “Jennifer and I had the pleasure of working together on a complex lounge project for Loyola University Chicago. Communication was clear and easy, and Jennifer was involved and helping throughout the whole process, from preliminary furniture selection to the delivery. Her attention to detail and her understanding of the different realities vendor’s face truly made a difference.”

    Jeremy Panneton, Mid-West District Manager, Foliot Furniture

  • Facilities Assessment

    “Jennifer has lead Housing Facilities through fundamental changes both in policy and culture that resulted in an enhanced student experience in terms of customer service, quality of facilities, security, and sustainability. Her exceptional project management and communication skills, along with a top-notch facilities team, allowed her to maintain peak performance while taking the time to mentor her colleagues and student staff.”

    Angela Longoria Shahjahan, former DePaul University colleague, currently Director of Compensation at Chicago Public Schools

Requests for Proposals

Requests for information, qualifications, or proposals can be sent via this form, or directly via the email below.

Direct email: RFP@hartobrienconsulting.com


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Set up a discovery call to discuss your project. The above services are common examples of work that I can produce, but I welcome the opportunity to help you with whatever project or issue you are tackling. After discussing the project and scope of work, I will provide a proposal. Project pricing may vary depending on requirements for on-site management of project, as well as associated travel costs.

 
 
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