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Executive Director, Capital Projects

Employer
Rice University
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Jul 11, 2024
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Special instructions to applicants: This search is being conducted by the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates. Interested applicants will need to submit a letter of interest and a resume to Sarah Lucenti at sarah.lucenti@russellreynolds.com and Anjelica Zalin at anjelica.zalin@russellreynolds.com .

Position Summary:

Reporting to Rice Real Estate Company’s President and Vice President of Facilities and Capital Planning, Ken Jett, the Executive Director of Facilities Capital Project Management will be responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day operations for the Facilities and Capital Planning Project Management group relative to on-campus new construction and renovation projects. This individual will be responsible for leading, directing and motivating a team of approximately 20 professionals to successfully achieve the department’s strategic goals and objectives. They will serve as a liaison with the university community and external constituents.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The Executive Director will be an experienced, execution minded executive with a track record of managing complex, long term projects bringing a minimum of 12 years of experience. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively with the executive leadership who encompass the decision making of the organization.

The role requires the vision, creativity and ambition of an entrepreneur combined with the tactical project management skills of a senior leader who is comfortable working in a large and complex organization. The ideal background will include prior experience from either an academic, campus-based platform and role or from a commercial real estate development platform in the private sector. It is a bonus if this individual has managed the project management of a campus-based portfolio including development of lab and medical facilities, engineering facilities and student housing. The ideal candidate is an accomplished executive who has directly overseen successful large scale, transformative projects. They will have demonstrated a career track of upward mobility with competencies gained in leading a team, project management, and success with cross-functional teams.

Workplace Requirements
  • This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated and work under the overall direction of the Crisis Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.
  • Ability to conduct frequent construction site inspections at many locations, both on and off campus.
  • Must be willing and able to climb a ladder/stairs and enter all campus spaces including tunnels.
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's Degree in related field
  • 10 years of related experience
Skills:
  • Ability to lead and manage several direct reports
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex projects or programs
  • Demonstrated ability to organize work and to manage multiple projects
  • Exceptional and effective written and oral communication skills to address a wide variety of audiences
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of university operations, administration, community, and mission
  • Ability to productively assemble, engage, and lead cross-functional teams
  • Demonstrated project management ability to employ integration, scope time management, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement components
  • Demonstrated resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship building, and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations
  • Keen grasp of interpersonal and impact awareness
  • Depth of knowledge in technical discipline/domain needed to deliver projects
Preferences
  • License Professional: Architectural License, Professional Engineer or other related field.
Essential Functions:

This individual will help manage the on-campus portfolio and existing development pipeline while helping to drive strategic planning across the university’s campus. This includes:
  • Responsible for leading and directing the Project Management team including assignments of projects to Project Managers
  • Oversees the overall budget and cost accounting for all projects, in collaboration with the Capital Governance team
  • Ensures project scope, contractual obligations and requirements are met
  • Leads, directs and manages construction and renovation projects
  • Leads, manages and implements department initiatives
  • Leads, coaches and mentors all direct reports
  • Conducts performance management, staff development, and makes salary recommendations for project managers and other support staff
  • Participates in the Annual Capital Budget process for the university and the department
  • Periodically presents to the campus community (e.g. Administrator’s Forum and/or the Office of the Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, and Support), and other constituent groups on upcoming projects and current projects
  • Manages the Facilities Project Management operating budget
  • Ability to perform all other duties as assigned, including partnering with other internal teams to help with major decisions as it relates to the off-campus portfolio
Additional Functions
  • All other duties as assigned.
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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