Assistant Director, Renewal Capital Projects

Wake Forest University • Winston-Salem, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director, Capital Renewal and Capital Projects, leads the execution of the University’s capital renewal and capital program, overseeing a high-volume portfolio of projects essential to campus operations and long-term asset stewardship. This role focuses on efficient, consistent delivery of projects while integrating closely with Facilities Operations and Utilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a similar field of study.
• Minimum of eight years of project management-related experience or at least fifteen years of construction-related experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the design and construction industry with regard to design reviews, cost estimating, project scheduling, contracting, and overall management of capital and non-capital projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local codes and standards of design and light construction.
• Must be experienced in multiple contract delivery methods.
• Should have general knowledge of building commissioning and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with diverse audiences.
• Must have strong communication, organization, and leadership skills.
• High integrity needed to handle confidential information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Applications, PDF editor, and other software packages, with the ability to adapt and adopt new software as needed.
• Is comfortable in a highly fluid work environment, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Highly organized; ability to plan ahead and prioritize to maximize efficiency based on available resources.
• Ability to travel to on-campus and off-campus locations for business activities.
• Ability to meet the University’s automobile insurance requirements.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or institutional facilities
• Experience with project management software such as Kahua.
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CCM)
• Experience with deferred maintenance and building systems
• Familiarity with asset management and lifecycle planning

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the University’s annual renewal and capital program, typically projects totaling < $3M.
• Oversee projects including building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), roofing, interiors, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Ensure projects are executed efficiently with minimal disruption to campus operations.
• Develop and maintain standardized processes for project intake, prioritization, and execution.
• Monitor portfolio performance across schedule, budget, and quality metrics.
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery methods and tools.
• Supervise Project Managers, Associate Project Managers, and Project Coordinators.
• Balance workloads and ensure appropriate resource allocation.
• Mentor staff in project delivery, coordination, and operational integration.
• Assist the Assistant Director of Major Capital Projects as a liaison to Facilities Operations, Utilities, and Maintenance teams.
• Ensure alignment of projects with operational needs, maintenance standards, and lifecycle planning.
• Support project turnover and long-term asset performance.
• Assist in the development and management of annual capital renewal budgets.
• Track and forecast program-level spending and performance.
• Identify and address risks related to cost escalation and delivery capacity.
• Oversee procurement and management of contractors and consultants for renewal projects.
• Ensure compliance with institutional procurement policies.
• Support the development of term contracts and on-call vendor strategies.
• Liaises with various University departments, including Procurement Services, Facilities Operations & Utilities, Information Technology, DeaconOne, Sustainability, Finance, and Legal, to support efficient day-to-day operations within the department.
• Working with the Director and Assistant Director, Major Capital Projects, to develop, maintain, and implement policies, procedures, standards, and process improvements to facilitate an effective and high-functioning environment for the project management staff.
• Develops, maintains, and implements effective administrative procedures for the project management team relating to all facets of project management, including vendor solicitations, contracts, project budget control, project scheduling, project assignments, contractor selections, construction phase monitoring, etc.
• Provides project management duties for assigned capital and non-capital projects (as needed) to include: procurement of professional design services, overseeing the design team during design phases, project scheduling, project budget, pre-qualification of contractors, solicitation of contractor bids, contractor selection, processing and approval of invoices, field inspections, monitoring construction progress, and project close-out.
• Participates in the interview/selection process for design consultants and general contractors.
• Participates in construction oversight for adherence to design intent, industry best practices, and University standards.
• Provides direction and coordination to project managers, consultant design teams, the Facilities Operations team, and others on program confirmation, design materials, furniture, systems, and solutions in support of sound economic and architectural design practices.
• Periodically review work in the field with assigned project managers as a member of the owner's representative team.
• Ensure all legal requirements, building and safety codes, safety inspections, city guidelines, and local and state regulations are met.
• Works closely with the Director of Capital Projects and Assistant Director of Major Capital Projects to plan, schedule, and facilitate a departmental work plan that maintains proper staffing levels and the availability of needed technical resources.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Director, Major Capital Projects, on managing the workloads of all project managers.
• Serves as the primary resource to provide and/or identify adequate training and career development opportunities for assigned project management staff.
• Assists in articulating the University's mission and goals in the area of capital planning and financial stewardship.
• Responsible for fiscal leadership in the department, including the assigned finance approval role of CCM0.
• Complete special projects and serve on committees as assigned by Facilities, Real Estate, and Planning Leadership.
• Prepare historical data and information as requested to guide decision-making for Facilities, Real Estate, and Planning Leadership.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Real Estate, and Planning Business Operations Analyst, in conjunction with the Assistant Director, Major Capital Projects, to provide quarterly and annual key metric data for the Capital Projects unit.
• Coordinate annual report information related to the Renewal Capital Projects construction and renovation projects in conjunction with the Assistant Director, Major Capital Projects.
• Must be able to solve complex problems related to the design and construction of multiple projects, often being done simultaneously and involving large capital expenditures.
• Conduct recruitment, selection, orientation, training, coaching, and evaluation of project management staff.
• Responsible for reviewing documentation and approving expenditures compliant with Wake Forest University Spend Authority procedures.
• Performs other related duties as directed by management.
• This position may be designated as essential personnel to support business continuity in the event of campus emergencies, disasters, or other special needs as directed by management. Essential personnel are subject to recall inside/outside their normal schedule.

Benefits

• The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager