Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects

University of Pennsylvania•Houghton, MI

1d•$110,907 - $139,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, operation, and improvement of Penn Libraries’ physical environments. The Director leads capital planning, renovation initiatives, space planning efforts, and facilities projects across the Libraries’ portfolio, while maintaining oversight of building operations at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and coordinating facilities services at departmental libraries and other library-operated locations. Working closely with Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and library stakeholders, the Director develops project priorities, establishes program requirements, manages project execution, and ensures that facilities investments support Penn Libraries’ long-term strategic goals. The Director serves as Penn Libraries’ primary representative for facilities planning and capital project development, leading projects from concept and programming through design, construction, occupancy, and post-project evaluation. In partnership with library leadership, the Director develops long-range facilities and space strategies that anticipate evolving academic, research, teaching, technology, and workplace needs, while advancing accessibility, sustainability, and effective space utilization. The Director also oversees facilities operations, including maintenance, housekeeping, security coordination, vendor management, and event readiness; supervises facilities staff, the Libraries Event Planner, and contracted service providers. This role will have direct oversight of 445,000 sq ft encompassing the Penn Libraries physical plant at Van Pelt Library and the Library Research Annex (LIBRA), as well as indirect oversight of an additional 108,000 sq ft of library space across campus. This position is designated as essential personnel and participates in on-call coverage as required.

Requirements

Bachelor's and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Professional licensure or certification such as Registered Architect (RA), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Facility Management Professional (FMP), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or similar credential.
Experience in higher education, research libraries, museums, cultural institutions, healthcare, or other large and complex public-serving environments.
Experience with campus master planning, strategic space planning, workplace strategy, or portfolio planning.
Knowledge of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation of legacy or architecturally significant buildings.
Experience integrating sustainability, resilience, energy management, and accessibility principles into capital projects and facilities planning.
Familiarity with public procurement processes, design and construction contracting methods, and capital budgeting practices within higher education.
Experience preparing materials and presentations for senior university leadership, governing boards, donors, or external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead capital project planning, programming, design, and execution for renovations, renewals, infrastructure upgrades, and space modernization projects across the Libraries; serve as leadership representative and coordinate with FRES, architects, engineers, contractors, and library stakeholders.
Develop and implement long-range facilities and space planning strategies that support evolving academic, research, collections, teaching, technology, and workplace needs; establish project priorities and capital investment recommendations.
Provide leadership for facilities operations and building stewardship across library locations, ensuring safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming environments through effective maintenance, housekeeping, security coordination, and facilities services.
Manage facilities renewal, deferred maintenance, and asset management programs, identifying needs, developing scopes and budgets, and coordinating project implementation with university.
Lead stakeholder engagement, communications, and project governance, facilitating planning discussions, gathering requirements, presenting recommendations, and communicating project impacts, timelines, and outcomes.
Supervise facilities staff, the Libraries Event Planner and contracted service providers, establishing priorities, managing performance, allocating resources, and ensuring effective service delivery and event execution.
Prepare and manage the Facilities Department budget. Work closely with Finance Department staff to set and monitor budgets, assess and implement the project and vendor bid processes, and generally operate within sound financial practices and in alignment with applicable procedures and policies.

Benefits

Excellent healthcare
Tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
Wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
Wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
Tuition assistance for employee, spouse, and dependent children
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental)
Substantial amount of time away from work
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities
Discounts on arts and entertainment, transportation, and mortgages
Flexible work options
Forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia
Adoption Assistance