Director, Planning, Design and Construction

Job no:

R-0000001701

Position Title:

Director, Planning, Design and Construction

Faculty or Staff:

Staff

Full Time or Part Time:

Full time

In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote:

In-Person

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay:

$130,560.00

Rate of pay commensurate with experience

Start Date:

02/01/2025

Job Description:

Department

Facilities Management

Division

Finance and Administration

Job title

Director, Planning, Design & Construction

Position Type/Hours per Week

& Work Schedule

Full time, Monday - Friday

Reports to

Associate Vice President of Facilities Management and Planning

Department Summary & Job Purpose

The Facilities Management department supports the administration, faculty, staff and students in the quality planning and development of facilities projects that support our mission. Our talented staff of approximately 140 FTEs (Cleaning, Mechanical Trades, Central Heating Plant, Grounds, Carpentry, Stockroom, EH&S, Fleet Services, and Mail Services & Duplication) are responsible for more than 2,000,000 SF of property in over 60+ major buildings and for maintaining more than 300 acres.

The Director, Planning, Design & Construction directly supports the work of the Associate Vice President, collaborating on a wide range of strategic work related to campus planning, project planning and departmental effectiveness, stepping in to represent the leadership of the capital construction department with various stakeholders in collaboration with the AVP. This position will:

• Provide departmental tactical and strategic support systems and project management tools, such as construction cost escalation analysis and dissemination, etc. to support all project managers with consistent and effective internal structures, data and systems.
• Oversee internal project management staff and external OPMs, and also directly manage various negotiating contractual arrangements and costs, logistical management with college constituents, budget management, etc.
• Oversee and implement the capital construction program to strategically integrate capital renewal projects with program-driven projects, energy-efficiency projects and other needs with the goal of maximizing value, minimizing impact on critical operations, and maintaining asset value.
• Generate multi-year projections of capital renewal funding requirements including modeling of the implications of various funding scenarios.
• Oversee and implement a program to assess and document facilities conditions and capital requirements to maintain the facilities portfolio.
• Take a leadership role in collaboration with key players in the facilities department, budget and finance, and interact with the broader college community on projects.
• Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the college’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Facilities Analysis, Assessment and Planning working with AVP

• Analyze range of capital project requests and needs with goal of more efficient planning and implementation.
• Function as primary point of contact for many small to mid-size capital projects, particularly in the early planning phase, working with college clients to determine need, schedule, budget.
• Support space allocation and management analyses in order to integrate with other capital needs.
• Oversee the assessment of the physical condition of the campus’s facilities and predict capital reinvestment requirements, model multi-year projections and analyze various funding scenarios.
• Work with third-party consultants, in-house supervisors and division directors to develop facilities conditions assessments, projection of need, and cost estimates for the required capital reinvestment projects.
• Analyze integration of conditions renewal projects with a variety of other project types including the geothermal project, energy-efficiency upgrades and programmatically-driven projects. Identify opportunities to bundle projects both vertically and horizontally to enhance overall value to the college.

Project Management

• Develop approaches, methodologies, contractual structures and budgets for associated individual and bundled projects.
• Manage communications and interface with college stakeholders / clients.
• Oversee selection and hiring of resources associated including design teams, contractors, and other resources.
• Manage all aspects of projects including meeting college strategic need, budget management, risk mitigation, operational continuity, etc.

Department Partnerships and Leadership

• Collaborate with project managers within Construction Management to identify opportunities and strategies for how projects can be best coordinated or integrated, including efficiency priorities; determine how projects can optimally address capital renewal and achieve energy reductions.
• Provide leadership of project management staff, sharing best practices and digital resources to enhance effectiveness throughout the department.

Direct Supervision

• Provide oversight, mentoring and guidance to less experienced project managers.
• Develop opportunities for professional advancement of direct supports through exposure to other college projects and involvement in external resources.

5% - Perform other duties/functions as requested

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent field.
• Ten years of planning and project management experience in a facilities organization
• Strong analytical skills, including expert use of digital tools including spreadsheets, pivot tables, CAD, and data visualization.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills.
• Experience mentoring and supervising.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Familiarity with legal contact language especially negotiating terms, applying appropriate contract forms per project criteria, extra-contract legal understanding (labor, union, etc.)
• Ability to read, understand, interpret formulate plans specifications and cost estimates.
• Knowledge or experience in developing and tracking budgets.
• Background with codes and permitting processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing projects involving teams of design consultants and contractors.
• Experience with and commitment to working with a diverse community.

Preferred Qualifications

Architectural or Engineering license

Advanced studies in planning, LEED/LBC/Passive House accreditation or equivalent

Experience working in higher education.

Working Conditions

Travel on campus to departments/buildings

Physical Demands

Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, use a telephone, and grasp lightly/fine manipulation.

Occasionally twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, grasp forcefully, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds. Rarely kneel/crawl, operate foot and/or hand controls.

Direct reports

Two

What We Offer:

Our comprehensive benefits program offers a range of options to you can make choices that work best for you and your family:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 10.5% of salary)
  
  
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
  
  
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  
  
• Disability and Leave Benefits
  
  
• Life Insurance (College paid coverage 1x salary)
  
  
• Employee Assistance Program
  
  
• Tuition Benefits (to Mount Holyoke College or others)
  
  
• Generous Paid Time Off
  
  

Special Instructions for Applicants

Apply online by application deadline. Application materials must include 1) a cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications, 2) a complete resume or curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for 3 professional references.

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants:

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications
  
  
• A complete resume or curriculum vitae
  
  
• For faculty positions, statements on mentoring, teaching, and research will also be required.