Senior Director, Facilities Planning Design & Construction

Title: Senior Director, Facilities Planning Design & Construction

Employee Classification: Sr Dir Fac Plan Des & Constr

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-VP Finance & Admin

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Facilities

Department: UNT-Facilities-Gen-152000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The road to the future is under construction.

The Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction (FPDC) team is the backbone of campus transformation, serving the mission and values of UNT while stewarding a unique and impactful sense of place. FPDC fosters community engagement, aligns projects with UNT's standards, and champions accessibility compliance. Services encompass everything from cost estimates to construction management, all executed with meticulous attention to detail. From concept development to project completion, every decision FPDC makes is rooted in our commitment to creating a campus that furthers UNT’s positive impact on students and the community.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for overseeing and guiding the daily operations of the Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction department and ensures high quality and timely construction, renovation and rehabilitation projects. The Senior Director of Planning, Design & Construction provides strategic leadership and oversight for capital planning, programming, design, and construction efforts. This role ensures alignment with the university’s master plan, academic mission, and long-term infrastructure goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance.

Representative Tasks include but are not limited to:
* Determines facility requirements and develops projects to ensure completion of safe, functional facilities.
* Responsible for required reports to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
* Hires staff and provides assignments, supervision, and training to subordinate staff; evaluates and reviews staff performance.
* Serves as the University Architect in the development of the campus-built environment. * Oversees project management teams responsible for executing new construction, renovation, and MEP maintenance projects for all campus buildings.
* Ensures that campus-wide design reviews are conducted at the end of each design phase, and that a detailed technical review of final construction drawings and specifications is conducted within the time allotted by the approved schedule.
* Responsible for the maintenance of the University Design Construction Standards (UDCS)
* Manages and oversees the timely coordination and cooperation between Facilities Planning and Construction staff, consultants, and vendors.
* Serves on the resource team for master planning, design, and construction efforts managed by System Facilities. Ensures projects provide an environment that is compliant with health, safety, and welfare per applicable codes and UDCS.
* Lead long-range campus planning initiatives in alignment with UNT's master plan.
* Develop and implement capital improvement strategies and project prioritization.
* Knowledge, skills, and ability to learn University guidelines, and local building codes relating to reporting and usage of physical facilities and construction or renovation projects.
* Knowledge of construction types and the advantages of each in an educational setting.
* Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems as they interrelate to a building project.
* Strong management, supervisory, and organizational skills.
* Ability to work with computer programs to organize, store, manipulate, and retrieve text and data.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
* Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
* Knowledge of safety and security precautions appropriate to work performed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree Architectural Engineering or related and 8 years in facilities design, construction & maintenance, preferably related to campus planning, design & construction; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Employees in this job may be responsible for conducting research on, working on, or having the ability to access critical organizational infrastructure and they must be able to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure related to this role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Ability to learn University guidelines and local building codes relating to reporting and usage of physical facilities and construction or renovation projects.
* Knowledge of construction types and the advantages of each in an educational setting.
* Working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems as they interrelate to a building project.
* Strong management, supervisory, and organizational skills.
* Ability to work with computer programs to organize, store, manipulate, and retrieve text and data.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
* Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
* Knowledge of safety and security precautions appropriate to work performed.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will have:
* Proven depth of understanding of building systems, the health, safety, and welfare aspect of architectural practice, and building design.
* Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and Excel for construction budget tracking and PMWeb or other Project Management software.
* 10 years progressively responsible experience with a focus on Higher Ed planning and development.
* Supervisory experience managing a large technical team, preferably for a university institution.
* Licensed architect in the State of Texas

Required License/Registration/Certifications

* Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering or related degree
* 8 years progressively responsible experience with a focus on Higher Ed planning and development experience in facilities design, construction & maintenance
* Possession of a valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment; ability to drive a vehicle and maintain coverage under University liability insurance policy, if required to drive University vehicles.

Job Duties

• Ensures that campus wide design reviews are conducted at the end of each design phase, and that a detailed technical review of final construction drawings and specifications is conducted within the time allotted by the approved schedule. - ()
• Consistently completes expected duties in a timely manner without constant supervision. Accepts responsibility for own work and follows through on commitments. 
• Promotes Facilities core values of Service, Integrity, and Excellence by conducting oneself in a manner that is respectful, honest, ethical, and customer focused. 
• Committed to maintaining a safe and secure work environment. 
• Demonstrates punctuality and follows policies and procedures for absences, time and attendance 
• Ensures proper training, provides positive feedback for job successes, accountability for poor performance, creates a positive climate by setting clear strategies, goals and expectations.
• Effectively and efficiently manages all aspects of the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Department. 
• Ensures construction and renovation projects scopes are well defined, thoroughly coordinated and communicated with stakeholders, and other campus entities as needed, timely and the end product is of high quality. 
• Serves as the University Architect and is the subject matter expert providing guidance, information and support to the Facilities Department. 
• Prepares project program and documentation, obtains approvals, and manages the design effort through the construction bid phase. Ensures design corrections are made prior to release of project for bidding. 

Physical Requirements

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.
Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Environmental Hazards

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
Low temperatures.
Elevated temperatures.

Work Schedule

Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM and Friday 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.