Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Space Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, or a related field required.
Master's degree in a related discipline preferred.
15 years of relevant experience in programming, design, and construction.
8+ years of experience leading teams in a complex environment.
Strong knowledge of campus planning, universal design principles, and ADA compliance.
Responsibilities
Manage the University's Capital Plan and Design Standards for construction projects.
Collaborate with stakeholders to develop efficient space utilization solutions.
Lead a cross-functional team to create and enforce construction standards.
Ensure adherence to processes for contract administration and project governance.
Communicate project scope, budget, and schedules to the University community.
Benefits
Opportunity to work directly with senior leadership in a prestigious university setting.
Engagement in strategic planning and development of sustainable solutions.
Access to a collaborative environment with diverse stakeholders.
Professional growth through leadership of a large team of experts.
Full Job Description
Job Description
Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Facilities and Development, the Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Programming, Design, & Construction (PDC) manages the University's Capital Plan and the Design Standards that govern construction within the built environment. Supervising a team of 24 architects, construction managers, planners, and support staff the AVC is charged with executing contracts necessary to build and renovate Vanderbilt's Capital Assets, synthesize input for stakeholders to create a comprehensive master plan, and work with Vanderbilt University Maintenance Operations (VUMO) to create maintainable design standards. Additionally, the AVC is charged with creating and administering the necessary processes to efficiently and effectively execution the responsibilities within their portfolio.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Programming
Conceptualize campus program needs into practical near and long-term planning options.
Collaborate with University Stakeholders who are solving similar space needs to devise creative solutions to utilize space more efficiently.
Serves as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders to maintain strategic business relationships that foster development objectives.
Develops, executes, and utilizes strategic planning analysis and research to determine long-term institutional needs and develop sustainable solutions.
Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with facilities planning regulations, best practices, and institutional objectives.
Coordinates closely with the Executive Director of Planning to develop program options and approaches to solve specific space needs per the strategic initiatives of the University.
Communications with University Community
Ability to clearly and concisely present key campus planning concepts and ideas with key university constituents, professional consultants, and university stakeholders both written and verbal formats.
Maintains communications with the University community regarding project scope, budget, and schedules.
Maintains project governance through Steering Committee meetings and upward.
Develop and foster positive working relations with Metro Codes, Zoning, Fire Marshall, and other government agencies.
Responsible to lead a cross functional team of experts in creating and maintaining standards for construction and renovation of the built environment.
Uses technical acumen and experience to enhance maintainability and lower life cycle cost through the construction program.
Rigorously enforces standards and ensures deviations are properly waivered through a deliberate process.
Design Standards
Responsible to lead a cross functional team of experts in creating and maintaining standards for construction and renovation of the built environment.
Uses technical acumen and experience to enhance maintainability and lower life cycle cost through the construction program.
Rigorously enforces standards and ensures deviations are properly waivered through a deliberate process.
Contract Administration
Ensure the PDC team adheres to consistent processes related to:
Review of A/E contracts
Review of drawings for constructability and completeness during design
Coordination of user meetings to review design.
Review of final documents for appropriateness to University expectations and quality assurance
Coordinate program changes or design modification during construction.
Review project with Metro Codes officials with consultants.
Coordination with stakeholders including Maintenance & Operations, Information Technology, and Sustainability to ensure that building, site, and infrastructure standards are reviewed with stakeholders for input and properly implemented.
Provide problem solving assistance to stakeholders and users for cost of ownership and value solutions while maintaining University goals like with future flexibility, energy, sustainability, and community.
Perform/participate in material and products/equipment life-cycle evaluations and comparisons.
Pricing and Construction with Contractors or Construction Managers
Ensure the PDC team adheres to consistent processes related to:
Clarification of university expectations on project during pricing phase.
Coordination of shop drawings and equipment review.
Review of project progress to ensure schedule compliance.
Assurance of quality control and contract conformance in construction.
Review and evaluation of construction changes to scope and budget during the construction phase.
Review job for final completion and acceptance.
Close-out inclusive of as-built drawings, warrantees, and equipment and service manuals.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position has supervisory responsibility of the project management teams and reports administratively and functionally to the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Facilities and Development.
Education and Certifications:
Bachelor's degree and professional experience in Architecture, Urban Planning, Space Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, or a closely related field is required.
Master's degree from an accredited University in a related discipline is preferred.
Experience and Skills:
15 years of relevant experience.
8+ years of experience leading teams.
Ability to solve space and campus planning issues, understand urban planning context and collaborate as a team.
Knowledge of campus planning.
Skill in strategic planning.
Familiar with best practices in signage and wayfinding.
Knowledge of universal design principles and ADA compliance.
Demonstrated ability to lead conversations and initiatives related to accessibility standards.
Comfort to communicate in written, verbal, and graphic form.
Comfort and ability to switch between competing tasks and priorities.
Experience and comfort in working in a fast-paced environment and managing projects with internal and external stakeholders.
About Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1873 and named after shipping and rail magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the South. Vanderbilt enrolls approximately 12,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and over 100 foreign countries in four undergraduate and six graduate and professional schools. The university is organized into ten schools, including four undergraduate and six graduate and professional schools. Vanderbilt is ranked among the top 20 universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Vanderbilt's endowment is one of the largest among American universities, standing at $7.2 billion as of 2020.
