Director of Facilities, School of Arts & Sciends

Posted: 2/21/23
Deadline: 4/1/23
Reference Number: JR72976

About This Organization

Washington University in St. Louis

Job Duties

Overview

The Director of Facilities (Director) serves as a key member of the Dean of Arts & Sciences’ leadership team providing advice and direction on the ways in which the physical campus infrastructure can help achieve strategic goals. The Director is responsible for managing and supervising the wide-ranging academic, research, and administrative space needs and requirements to best serve the research and teaching mission of the university.

Arts & Sciences employs over 1,000 faculty and staff and includes over 40 academic buildings on the historic Danforth Campus in St. Louis and on other sites. These buildings range from high-end scientific labs to computing facilities, to performance spaces, to departmental office suites and work spaces for individual faculty.

Arts & Sciences just launched its 10-year strategic plan with a bold vision of growth and transformation. Coinciding with the new strategic plan, the university will build a brand-new home for Arts & Sciences in the heart of the Danforth campus. The new facility, slated for completion in 2026, is estimated to be 90-120,000 square feet and will foster vital programs, students, faculty, and staff not only in Arts & Sciences but also across the university’s campus.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Member of Dean’s Administrative Team

· Work closely with the Dean and his leadership team to review strategic plans and develop A&S priorities as they relate to buildings and campus planning.

· Assess architectural and engineering plans and advise the Dean’s leadership group on the best approaches for achieving A&S goals.

· Keep the Dean apprised of the progress on major projects and requests.

Project Management

· Attend weekly construction meetings and collaborate with FP&M project managers on large capital projects.

· Independently oversee small to mid-sized building projects while participating in Dean-level planning and a team approach to larger projects.

· Monitor and address routine maintenance, housekeeping, and grounds-keeping performance as these impact A&S facilities.

Communication and Collaboration

· Work closely with the Assistant Vice Chancellor of FP&M, and with others to communicate A&S priorities and coordinate projects.

· Consult with Department Chairs, Program and Center Directors, and individual faculty on recruitment plans, renovation, and space-related needs.

· Collaborate on various projects with other central administrators including Information Services and Technology, Emergency and Safety managers, Event Services, the Classroom Monitoring Committee, Financial Planning, Parking and Transportation.

· Keep faculty, staff, and students apprised of the impact of capital projects on the regular operations of the A&S buildings.

· Serve on campus committees related to A&S facilities.

Planning and Budgeting

· Lead the annual capital budgeting process and guide faculty and staff on submitting requests for capital funding.

· Ensure budgetary compliance on all capital projects as they progress; escalate cost overruns appropriately.

Required Qualifications

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in architecture, engineering, or construction management; or bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, with relevant work experience.

· Minimum of five years of relevant capital projects experience in a large, complex organization.

· Project management skills (people, budgets, schedules).

Preferred Qualifications

· Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering or equivalent experience in building construction and design in a research university setting.

· Six to 10 years of related experience in a university setting or large, complex organization with a matrix structure.

Critical Skills & Expertise

· Ability to manage complex projects and their budgets with an applied knowledge of construction in a research university setting. Adept in managing a high volume of projects simultaneously.

· Knowledge of trends and best practices in design and construction at research university facilities.

· Ability to evaluate architectural and engineering proposals, and construction and maintenance practices.

· Excellent analytical, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

· Must have the ability to work effectively with groups and individuals representing all levels of the university. Strong ability to communicate and negotiate effectively both orally and in writing.

· Proven ability to establish and maintain positive, successful working relationships among diverse stakeholders with wide-ranging construction/renovation needs.

· Demonstrable commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Other Info

EEO Statement

Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Procedure for Application

Please submit a resume and a letter of interest to: https://wustl.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Washington-University-Danforth-Campus/Director-of-Facilities—Arts—Sciences_JR72976