Assistant Vice Chancellor of Planning, Design & Sustainability

Posted: 3/23/26
Deadline: 4/17/26
Salary: $180,000 - $220,000

Reference Number: 39366

About This Organization

University of Colorado Anschutz

Job Duties

The University of Colorado Anschutz is seeking an innovative, strategic, and collaborative Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) of Institutional Planning, Design & Sustainability. This senior leadership role sits within the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management and Planning, which also serves as the Campus Architect. The AVC will guide the vision, strategy, and execution of campus planning, architectural design, construction programming, and sustainability initiatives for one of the nation’s leading academic medical campuses. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly expanding, mission‑driven campus dedicated to advancing health, science, and innovation.

The Institutional Planning, Design & Sustainability division, within Facilities Management and Planning, is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the institutional master plan and the coordination of the various institutional planning efforts contained within. The team also plans, designs, and executes on the energy master plan, climate action plan, annual and 5-year capital project plans, and associated program plans, working closely and collaboratively with the other Facilities Management and Planning divisions. Continued development and maintenance of the institutional master plan, energy master plan, climate action plan, and capital project plans are essential responsibilities of the office. Also located within this division are the planning office, transition management team, sustainability team, and the GIS/BIM team. The Assistant Vice Chancellor and their teams serve all units, schools, and the entire administration of the University of Colorado Anschutz and works collaboratively with its affiliates.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Direction
• Lead, mentor, and empower a diverse team of planning, architectural, and sustainability professionals.
• Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive plans and program documents for campus leadership, CU System offices, and CU Regents.
Architectural & Design Expertise
• Serve as the senior resident architect, advising campus leadership on architectural and urban design matters.
• Guide the development, interpretation, and application of the campus master plan and design guidelines for internal and external partners.
Governance/Committee Engagement & External Representation
• Serve as a member of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance cabinet.
• Act as campus liaison to consulting firms, the Regent Finance Committee, CU Design Review Board, Fitzsimons Innovation Community Design Review Board, and the State of Colorado Capital Development Committee.
Planning & Sustainability Stewardship
• Lead the ongoing evolution and implementation of the campus master plan, design guidelines, energy master plan, and climate action plan.
• Ensure alignment of design, construction, and sustainability practices with campus priorities and long term strategic goals.
Campus & Affiliate Collaboration
• Coordinate planning and design efforts with schools, colleges, central administration, and major partners, including:
o University of Colorado Hospital
o Children’s Hospital Colorado
o Fitzsimons Innovation Community
o CU Medicine
o City of Aurora

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in architecture and Architecture License
• Fifteen (15) years active working experience in architecture and planning, of which at least ten (10) involved projects in a health sciences environment including research and education, and/or in the design of biomedical research facilities.
• At least five (5) of the required years of experience must have been in a position involved in identifying and resolving complex issues, direct participation in setting related institutional policy, assisting or acting on behalf of institutional administrators.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:
• A master’s degree.
• At least ten (10) years of experience at a management level involved in broad aspects within an academic health sciences center and research-intensive university related operation is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Comprehensive knowledge of the inner workings of a large academic medical center or commensurate applicable experience.
• Knowledge of and experience in major planning and design projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people and organizations, internal and external to the organization.
• Extensive trans and interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement and consensus building within a broad and diverse range of interest groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Comfort with making presentations to multiple different stakeholder groups and leadership.
• Ability to organize and facilitate committee deliberations.
• Ability to work with consultants in major planning and design efforts.
• Ability to serve effectively in both a leadership and coordinating role.
• Considerable knowledge of budget preparation.
• Ability to prioritize and simultaneously manage multiple projects effectively and efficiently.

Conditions of Employment:
• This position requires the ability to obtain a Colorado architecture license within 6 months of hiring. This licensure requires at least a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Salary

$180,000 - $220,000

Other Info

All applications must be submitted through CU Careers. To learn more or apply today, please visit:

https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=39366

If you have questions about the role, please contact: Lindsey Fouquette, lindsey.fouquette@cuanschutz.edu

Required Application Materials

Cover letter, resume, and references