Director of College Facilities Planning, College of Engineering

University of Delaware•Newark, DE

About The Position

The Director of College Facilities Planning serves as a member of the College of Engineering Business Office Management Team, working collaboratively to ensure effective administrative management. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, this role is responsible for the efficient and effective planning and renovation of College-wide Facilities. The Director actively participates in strategic planning and decision-making within the College's business administrative leadership team. This position acts as the primary liaison with various university departments including UD Facilities Project Planning & Delivery (PPD), Facilities Maintenance & Operations, Custodial Services, Public Safety, and Environmental Health and Safety. The role oversees the maintenance, custodial services, construction, safety, and emergency preparedness for approximately 332,000 square feet of College of Engineering facilities, encompassing both campus and leased spaces across approximately 20 buildings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering or related discipline and six years of experience in construction or facilities management, preferably in a college environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Background in business administration.
Effective problem-solving skills and a high level of independent judgment.
Financial management skills and the ability to resolve complex administrative/procedural issues.
Ability to analyze and interpret financial data, prepare financial reports and projections, and budgetary items for validity and compliance.
Skill in examining processes, organizing resources, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
Ability to develop, plan, and implement short and long-range goals.
Ability to supervise and train assigned staff including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
Employee development and performance management skills.
Ability to develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures.
Ability to make sound objective judgments and ethical decisions, as well as read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures.
Knowledge of safety processes, building code, and related University policies.
Familiarity with design, estimating, and construction disciplines.
Ability to negotiate and manage contractual arrangements.
Ability to manage and share/explain information to a wide range of clientele.
Must be assertive, tactful, and communicate effectively both verbally and in written format to a diverse audience.
Ability to foster a cooperative environment.
Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Nice To Haves

Intermediate computer knowledge and experience working with PeopleSoft, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio, and AutoCAD is preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct, guide, and anticipate issues regarding facilities management of the College of Engineering, managing an annual budget of approximately $12M for operation, maintenance, safety, and emergency preparedness.
Provide counsel to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and College Business Office Teams on Facilities Planning and Renovation matters.
Assist in the creation and management of the annual facilities budget, performing variable cost analyses for financial projections.
Lead the College of Engineering Facilities Team, directly managing the Assistant Director of Engineering Facilities Planning and four master machinists, while maintaining relationships with departmental laboratory coordinators and electronics technicians.
Leverage team expertise in technical knowledge, mechanical skills, safety training, space planning, project management, and communication for inter-departmental needs and College-wide projects.
Hold monthly meetings to review renovation project progress, brainstorm maintenance/infrastructure solutions, and discuss space utilization.
Represent the College of Engineering throughout the planning, construction, and turnover of all newly built or renovated spaces.
Review and interpret proposed designs, architectural drawings, and building specifications, requesting revisions as needed.
Participate in the planning and formulation of design alternatives for major construction projects.
Direct the renovation and fit-out of sophisticated laboratories.
Review and approve all design and construction budgets.
Manage the acquisition, management, maintenance, and modification of leased spaces, including complex lease arrangements, fit-out, utilities, design, and equipment purchases.
Provide recommendations to optimize the utilization of CoE facilities.
Serve as a key staff member of the College of Engineering Space Planning Committee, managing space allocation, dispute resolution, and future planning for College growth.
Identify suitable spaces for renovation for research, administration, instruction, computer operations, and student organizations, assessing renovation requirements against strategic benefits.
Oversee the updating of the College of Engineering’s space database and architectural layouts with occupancy information.
Coordinate with Chief Administrative Officers of A&S and LCBE regarding shared leased space management.
Manage college information for the annual UD-wide space survey and provide space verification and capital equipment reports.
Ensure effective maintenance, cleanliness, operation, and security of the physical plant, offices, labs, and common areas in a safe and environmentally sound manner, liaising with UD Facilities, EHS, Custodial, and Public Safety.
Meet with Directors of Facilities PPD and M&O monthly to review renovation progress, discuss solutions to building defects, and prioritize next steps.
Collaborate with Facilities M&O Engineering to resolve defective infrastructure systems, identifying root causes, solutions, and lobbying for implementation.
Coordinate with Facilities IT to ensure accurate electronic card access information is imported into ProWatch.
Serve as a College of Engineering representative on the University Chemical Hygiene Committee, reviewing safety concerns and ensuring staff receive OSHA Right-to-Know training.
Coordinate with UD Public Safety and Parking Services for temporary traffic and parking modifications for special events.
Pursue and manage corporate donations of material assets like furnishings and equipment for re-deployment within the College.
Optimize the use of lab and office furniture by overseeing a communal spare furniture storage area.
Direct, supervise, and provide leadership to exempt and non-exempt staff.
Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.