Director, Planning - Military Veterans

Location: Chicago, IL
Job Description:

• Leads campus master planning and related studies.
• Leads and directs the synthesis of infrastructure, heritage information, facility condition assessment, sustainability, accessibility, campus environment and safety, and other relevant functional requirements and built environment data in all planning, programming, and pre-project planning initiatives.
• Leads the Facilities Services annual capital planning process.
• Leads pre-project planning activities including project programming and pre-project planning activities such as feasibility studies, test fits, scenario testing, and urban design and technical site analysis.
• Oversees the administration of the University's Institutional Planned Development #43 and all related processes.
• Oversees program administration of the University's space information system and data analysis used for space allocation decisions and the University budget model.
• Oversees the facility condition assessment program.
• Manages continuous improvement of the Facilities Services FS2 standards document.
• Manages the University design oversight process to ensure and enhance campus accessibility.
• Oversees uniform signage system for interior identification and wayfinding.
• Manage consultants to perform a broad range of urban design and technical site analysis to support site selection determinations.Â
• Creates and maintains planning tools to enhance decision-making, process improvement, presentation, and communication.
• Manages and leads a team of professional staff, evaluates their performance, and provides training and development as appropriate.
• Manages consultant procurement, contract negotiation, and payment processes.
• Provides leadership and drives progress of consultants to achieve expected functionality.
• Takes responsibility for timely and comprehensive communications with all project stakeholders and the larger University community.
• Facilitates Departmental and University approvals as required.
• Advocates with integrity for the University in contract negotiations.
• Â Manages the development of space and urban planning initiatives. Plans space management, design activities, and/or sustainability projects. Develops strategies to meet the short and long-range goals of the unit.
• Manages a team of professionals responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of space-related software and database systems, as well as monitoring quality assurance of documentation and data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in architecture from an accredited institution.


Experience:

• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, and project management.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in higher education.


Certifications:

• Professional license in architecture.
• LEED certification.


Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Strong supervision and management skills.
• Strong strategic, conceptual planning/programming, and design skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of campus and space planning concepts, tools, resources, and current trends.
• Detailed understanding of building processes, systems, design methodologies, and codes as well as facility operations and maintenance in a variety of settings, and the ability to apply this knowledge to planning projects.
• Ability to think strategically and comprehensively with multiple data points.
• Demonstrated oral, graphic, and written communication skills appropriate to managing the flow of information in support of decision making at the highest management levels of a complex institutional organization.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects within demanding time and cost constraints.
• Demonstrated skills in a management role for high-profile projects with active senior management involvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple consultants.
• Demonstrated ability to lead team efforts that balance competing interests.
• Ability to effectively interact with and convene Departmental staff, as well as campus and university-wide administrators.
• Strong budget and financial management, consultant procurement, and contract negotiation.
• Utilize principles of management to ensure responsibilities are met effectively and efficiently including planning, controlling, leading, and organizing.
• Ability to motivate, develop, and direct staff.
• Demonstrated ability to identify the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Excellent customer services skills and ability to provide effective communication within and outside of the department.
• Ability to effectively interpret and apply University and Departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
• Proficiency in MS Project and MS Office, e-Builder, as well as with AutoCAD and Adobe CS or other comparable design software is highly desired.
• High quality visualization skills in 2D and 3D.


Preferred Competencies

• University stewardship.
• Institutional capacity.
• Partnership and collaboration.
• Performance and execution
• Communications.


Working Conditions

• Ability to inspect architectural plans, keyboarding, bending, stooping to reach files, light lifting, standing.
• Ability to move around campus to inspect grounds and buildings.
• Some travel may be required.


Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• List of References (required)
• Portfolio of Representative Work (10 pages maximum) (preferred)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.