Vice President & Chief of Campus Planning, Real Estate & Facilities

Northeastern University • Newton, MA

35d

About The Position

About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY As Northeastern University pursues an agenda of innovation to deliver the highest quality academic learning, and the creation of knowledge, as well as appropriate spaces for student life, the University's physical resources must keep pace with its ambitions. The Vice President and Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities (PREF) is responsible for the effective use of existing land and buildings on all campuses as well as pursuing opportunities through partnerships, leases, and acquisition of new resources in existing and proposed campus areas for new programs. This position is intended to provide the contextual leadership, overall coordination, and strategic implementation guidance in these areas so that the University's total approach to its physical resources is coordinated and successfully implemented. It is anticipated that the VP/Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities will provide the contextual structure and overview for this work which may include project management systems, project prioritization, infrastructure planning, resource management, building and grounds operations, and related items. This position is responsible for guiding PREF's mission to shape and care for Northeastern University's physical environment in support of learning and discovery. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The VP/Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities is expected to have strategic, operational, and interpersonal skills as well as broad expertise in the requisite areas of responsibility. The job requires a professional who brings confidence and humility to the task of leading a large service organization. It demands broad and deep domain expertise, strong communication and relationship skills, and a commitment to transparency. Effective decision-making and communications skills as well as strategic planning and project management expertise are essential. Must be a diplomatic, service-oriented leader with the ability to collaborate with staff, administrators, faculty, and outside constituents. Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree (required), an advanced degree or professional credential in business administration, architecture, urban planning or engineering is desirable as is experience in higher education. A minimum of 15 years of experience in a capital planning, master planning, capital project, real estate management role is essential. Experience with real estate development or asset management and coordinating the legal aspects of real estate issues and transactions is requisite.

Requirements

• The VP/Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities is expected to have strategic, operational, and interpersonal skills as well as broad expertise in the requisite areas of responsibility.
• The job requires a professional who brings confidence and humility to the task of leading a large service organization.
• It demands broad and deep domain expertise, strong communication and relationship skills, and a commitment to transparency.
• Effective decision-making and communications skills as well as strategic planning and project management expertise are essential.
• Must be a diplomatic, service-oriented leader with the ability to collaborate with staff, administrators, faculty, and outside constituents.
• Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree (required)
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in a capital planning, master planning, capital project, real estate management role is essential.
• Experience with real estate development or asset management and coordinating the legal aspects of real estate issues and transactions is requisite.

Nice To Haves

• an advanced degree or professional credential in business administration, architecture, urban planning or engineering is desirable as is experience in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Campus Planning:
• Responsible for the strategic context of campus planning in support of the University mission. This position will have a key role in the development and implementation of the University's City of Boston Institutional Master Plan as well as all other regulatory requirements. The Institutional Master Plan provides a key framework for the priorities for the current and future portfolio of facilities and real estate at the Boston campus. Similar planning efforts at other NU sites would also be led by this position. It is anticipated that this position will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and others involved in the development of the Boston Institutional Master plan and with other senior leaders on other campus/master-planning efforts
• As space planning is a key deliverable and integral to campus planning, it is anticipated that this position will have the lead in space planning and initial facilities programming, as well as in the coordination of space/facilities use prioritization. This position will determine the best methods and approach to ensure that the planning, design and construction are coordinated effectively and efficiently.
• Real Estate: Manage all University real estate, including off-campus residential and commercial properties, acquisition, disposition, and leasing strategies of properties. It is anticipated that working along with the senior members of the University's finance team, this position will be responsible for the leading negotiations on, terms, and other related matters regarding the real estate portfolio.
• Major Capital Projects: Provide overall context, direction on prioritization, and support to achieve timely project completion within budgets and according to plans. This position is anticipated to play a key role with the integration of campus planning, design permitting, construction and communication for major capital projects and incorporating consideration of operational needs in the planning, design, and execution of projects.
• Facilities:
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for facilities operations including trades, building services, athletic facilities, transportation, ware housing, landscape, safety/compliance, energy, sustainability, and commissioning.
• Lead development and implementation of long-term facilities planning initiatives including capital renewal, deferred maintenance, resiliency/redundancy, emergency preparedness, utilities procurement, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as key advisor and thought leader to university leadership on how physical infrastructure supports institutional strategic goals and mission.
• Establish strategic partnerships across the university and fosters collaborative, cross-functional teamwork to prioritize customer needs and safety.
• Represent the division in campus-wide decision-making and serve on university committees, advocating for facilities interests with senior leadership, President, and Board of Trustees.
• Resource Management:
• As the overall management of our financial and staff resources are so critical to the successful implementation of this work, it is anticipated that the VP/Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities will work to ensure that our resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Develop and review major budget decisions, large project budgets, and general financial and resource allocations related to campus and space planning, and facilities projects as well as oversight the day-to-day responsibility for facilities projects and operational services.
• Responsible for the successful execution, management, and delivery of our institution's Capital Projects portfolio, currently valued at over $200M annually, not including large capital projects, - Multipurpose Athletic Facility ($500M) and Portland ($300M). This role will manage a $260M operating budget, including annual utility buy.

Benefits

• Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation.
• Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

What This Job Offers

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