Director, College Facilities

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

22h

About The Position

The Director for College Facilities plays a pivotal role within the College of Arts and Science Dean’s Office at Vanderbilt University, serving as a key leader responsible for overseeing the comprehensive facilities planning and management for the college. Collaborating closely with the Chief Operations Officer (COO), the Director is entrusted with the strategic planning, development, and coordination of vital capital project initiatives, while ensuring the seamless execution of their administrative and operational activities through proficient project management. Directly reporting to the COO, the Director currently manages one staff member. The College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University is a highly selective liberal arts college at the heart of a major research university. It seeks to attract a diverse student body of high promise and ability from throughout the United States and the international community. Its mission is to engage in significant and innovative research, scholarship, and creative expression in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, to offer distinguished, well-taught programs of undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, and to foster service to society overall.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, business management, architecture, interior design, construction management or related field from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
At least seven years of project management experience related to space or facilities planning is necessary.
Ability to coordinate development of scope, budget and schedule for renovation projects and new construction in consultation with various stakeholders is necessary.
Basic knowledge of scientific research, research equipment and research techniques is required.
The ability to read, interpret, and manipulate technical facilities drawings and related documents is necessary.
Ability to independently prioritize and multi-task is necessary.
Experience planning, programming and managing educational and laboratory facilities is required.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) skills are required .
Ability to make effective oral and written presentations and briefings is required .
Skilled negotiator capable of resolving project changes to minimize cost and schedule impacts required.
Ability to guide, motivate, and coordinate the work of professionals in an organization is required .
Experience with the following Software: Microsoft Office Suite, eBuilder Project Management, AutoCAD 2018, Bluebeam, the Adobe Acrobat Suite, and GIS.
Walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, working from heights, and crawling into tight spaces for long periods of time is required .

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is preferred.
Conversant in health, safety and environmental regulations is highly preferred.
Demonstrated skills in quality management in construction related projects is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation of major projects and ensure adherence to scope specifications, demonstrating proactive leadership in driving successful project outcomes.
Act as a key liaison with all levels of campus partners including VU Facilities Planning, Design and Construction (PDC), VU Maintenance and Operations (VUMO), VU Public Safety (VUPS), Environmental Health and Safety, Information Technology, Card Office, and other relevant stakeholders, exhibiting strong leadership in fostering effective communication and collaboration across departments.
Direct annual/biannual inventories, including space surveys, capital assets, and real property assessments, showcasing strategic leadership in overseeing organizational assets and resources.
Assume responsibility for security within A&S buildings, including inventory management of card readers, supervision of security cameras, and oversight of key management protocols, demonstrating leadership in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all occupants. Serving as the A&S liaison for the Secure Dores initiative.
Exercise oversight of critical maintenance issues by actively engaging with zone managers, providing hands-on leadership in resolving issues promptly and efficiently.
Serve as a member of the Chemical Safety, Laser Safety, and EHS Governance Committees, collaborating with the Dean of Research to advance organizational safety goals and demonstrating leadership in promoting a culture of safety and compliance across the college.
Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, partnering with external consulting firms on key initiatives, and working closely with the COO on project development, completion, and implementation, highlighting leadership in fostering productive partnerships and driving strategic initiatives forward.
Cultivate and strengthen robust working relationships with key stakeholders as A&S progresses through the capital planning process.
Collaborate closely with the COO to ensure transparent and effective communication with faculty and staff affected by the renovation of existing buildings, showcasing advanced leadership in fostering trust and alignment during periods of change.
Utilize advanced analytical skills to assess feedback from key stakeholders on infrastructure projects, including the renovation of existing buildings and the development of new teaching and research spaces.
Employ strategic insights to integrate stakeholder input into project planning and decision-making processes, demonstrating leadership in prioritizing stakeholder needs and maximizing project outcomes.
Take proactive ownership of maintaining positive and collaborative working relationships with relevant external partners, leveraging advanced interpersonal skills and strategic vision to foster mutually beneficial partnerships that support organizational objectives.
Engage both internal and external stakeholders and partners in a collaborative manner to establish and achieve project milestones aligned with the Dean's objectives.
Employ advanced project management techniques and negotiation skills to navigate complexities and drive progress, exemplifying leadership in orchestrating successful project execution and attainment of strategic goals.
Take charge of tracking and maintaining comprehensive space usage data, metrics, and outcomes, and conduct thorough assessments of program impact to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Demonstrate advanced leadership by proactively identifying opportunities for optimization and innovation based on data-driven insights.
Assume responsibility for comprehensively understanding the breadth of available data and play a pivotal role in helping leadership interpret and leverage this data effectively through insightful reporting and collaborative efforts.
Demonstrate advanced leadership by facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning based on data analysis.
Provide strategic support for changes in research and research space by conducting in-depth analysis of current Principal Investigator (PI) space allocation and utilization criteria, engaging in future planning initiatives, and delivering comprehensive reports to the COO and Dean.
Demonstrate advanced leadership by offering strategic guidance and recommendations to support organizational objectives and enhance research capabilities.
Take ownership of tracking, data analysis, and reporting on facilities and classroom projects, ensuring timely and accurate communication of project status and outcomes to the COO and Dean.
Demonstrate advanced leadership by effectively managing project data and providing actionable insights to drive decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
Develop accurate cost estimates and budgets for facility modifications, demonstrating proficiency in strategic resource allocation.
Exercise meticulous expenditure management against budgetary allocations, ensuring adherence to financial constraints.
Provide regular updates on capital project schedules and budgetary status, fostering transparency and informed decision-making among stakeholders.
Establish prudent spending guidelines for various projects, including renovation, equipment upgrades, and maintenance, showcasing strategic leadership in optimizing resource utilization and maximizing operational efficiency.
Deliver detailed reports and reviews of facility-related budgets, finances, contracts, and purchases, offering valuable insights and recommendations for continuous improvement and cost optimization.
Collaborate in the development of the annual facilities budget to align budgetary allocations with organizational priorities and strategic objectives.
Take a proactive approach to establish and manage essential vendor contracts, negotiating favorable terms and conditions to optimize value and ensure operational continuity.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of current facilities, meticulously analyzing imminent and long-term failure/viability factors to inform strategic long-term capital planning goals and prioritize annual renewal and replacement projects.
Employ advanced analytical techniques and industry expertise to anticipate future needs and proactively address potential challenges, demonstrating advanced leadership in strategic facility management and planning.