Associate Director of Capital Projects - University of Southern Mississippi

Another Source•Hattiesburg, MS

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Another Source’s client, The University of Southern Mississippi, is recruiting an Associate Director of Capital Projects to join their team in Hattiesburg, MS. This role offers the opportunity to lead major capital projects at a Carnegie R1 university and directly influence the future of Southern Miss’s campus. About The University of Southern Mississippi Southern Miss is a Carnegie R1 research institution serving more than 13,000 students across campuses in Hattiesburg, Long Beach, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and online. The university is nationally recognized for strengths in polymer science, ocean science, cybersecurity, hydrography, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development. It prepares graduates for high-demand fields including engineering, technology, business, education, and nursing, and is one of only 36 public institutions accredited in all four major arts disciplines. Southern Miss competes in 17 NCAA Division I sports and is known for a culture of resilience and innovation. About the Department The Associate Director of Capital Projects serves within Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction, the team responsible for campus master planning, major renovations, new construction, and infrastructure improvements. The department manages capital budgeting, sustainability initiatives, and compliance with Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Their work shapes the university’s built environment and supports its academic, research, and student-life mission. About the Role: The Associate Director oversees planning, budgeting, design, and construction for major capital projects, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and sustainability standards. The role partners with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and state agencies to deliver projects on time, within budget, and at the required quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
Seven years of progressively responsible capital project management experience (higher education or public sector preferred)
Strong understanding of capital project delivery methods (design-bid-build, design-build, CMa, CMaR) and familiarity with university planning and capital budgeting.
Ability to lead and mentor project teams and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Skill in budget development, cost control, value engineering, and cash flow tracking for large-scale capital projects.
Ability to align projects with institutional goals, assess feasibility, and conduct risk assessments.
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills for collaboration with administrators, facilities staff, architects, engineers, contractors, and state agencies.
Ability to resolve construction disputes, manage schedule delays, and adapt to evolving project needs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
One year of supervisory experience
PE or RA licensure in Mississippi, or ability to obtain within 6 months
PMP, CCM, or LEED AP certification
Familiarity with Mississippi IHL, Bureau of Buildings, and public procurement requirements

Responsibilities

Manage the full life cycle of major capital projects including academic buildings, housing, research facilities, and infrastructure.
Lead programming, design coordination, construction administration, and close-out while serving as the primary liaison between campus units, consultants, and contractors.
Develop and maintain project budgets and schedules
Negotiate and review contracts
Ensure compliance with Mississippi IHL and state procurement rules
Coordinate with the Bureau of Buildings.
Supervise and mentor project managers and support staff.
Promote a collaborative, professional, and high-performance work environment.
Ensure adherence to building codes, ADA standards, safety requirements, and university policies.
Implement quality control, risk management, inspections, and regulatory approvals for all project phases.
Engage academic units, student affairs, and facilities operations to incorporate operational needs.
Provide clear updates to university leadership regarding project status and campus impacts.
Advance sustainable building practices, energy-efficient systems, and potential LEED-related efforts.
Support long-term campus sustainability and resilience goals.