Job Description

The Department of Facilities Management and Development at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is seeking a full-time Assistant Vice President of Campus Planning, Design & Construction.

Summary

As an executive within the Department of Facilities Management & Development, the Assistant Vice President for Campus Planning, Design & Construction is responsible - in close coordination with research, clinical, education, and administrative campus programs - for short- and long-range facilities master planning, construction coordination, code enforcement, major rehabilitation, and the campus space utilization program.

In conjunction with the New York State University Construction Fund (SUCF), this position oversees, develops, and submits the campus's (University and Hospital) annual capital state-funded budget requests and five-year plans; manages project spending against the capital budget; and provides updates to executive program leadership on campus and to SUCF. The AVP meets regularly with University and Hospital leadership to gather data, interpret needs, conduct interviews, and develop and analyze options for campus capital projects, and supervises the development and submission of Facilities Management & Development-funded project requests to University and Hospital leadership for approval.

The AVP conducts a five-year cycle review of the Campus Facilities Master Plan, working with SUCF, University and Hospital leadership, the SUNY Downstate Research Foundation, HSCB Foundation, and United Physicians of Brooklyn to incorporate affiliate space use in coordination with the rest of the campus, and manages the plan's annual review, revisions, and SUCF approval. The AVP advises campus administration on policy, architectural character, and aesthetics on campus - including landscaping, signage, graphics, lighting, and urban design - and other related elements of the Campus Facilities Master Plan.

The AVP leads a team of Project Managers, Logistics Managers, and Code Enforcement Officers responsible for reviewing architectural and/or engineering design services, field troubleshooting, and providing state and local code interpretation to staff at Downstate Health Sciences University. The AVP must have a demonstrable understanding of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and general construction drawings, and must be able to lead, interpret, review, and comment on submissions for conceptual planning, design, and construction documentation for Design and Construction projects.

Working with Contracts and Procurement, the AVP participates in the selection of contractors and consultants for various projects, supervises Electrical Design Consultants, and manages contractors for Hospital and Academic renovation projects. The AVP ensures that design documents for both Hospital and Academic projects comply with applicable codes - including but not limited to the New York State Building Code, SUCF Program Directives, SUNY Sustainability requirements, and NYS Executive Order directives - and works closely with Physical Plant and Skilled Trades Services to establish Design Safety & Quality Assurance standards.

The AVP supports Physical Plant with technical assessments and troubleshooting, serves as a member of numerous SUNY Downstate campus committees, works closely with Environmental Health & Safety to ensure a safe and reliable workspace for employees and construction, and oversees the development and implementation of historic preservation plans.
Duties and Responsibilities

Campus Planning

• Facilitate and manage quarterly Campus Project Check Book meetings for senior leadership.
• Work with SUCF to facilitate semi-annual Campus Annual Work Plan meetings.
• Meet with campus administrators to develop project scope, programming, budgets, schedules, and coordination of project activities with campus leadership on a semi-annual basis.
• Lead the development of future capital projects in close coordination with teaching, research, hospital, and public service programs for short- and long-range facilities master planning, construction coordination, and major rehabilitation.
• Serve as liaison with Operations Management on the campus space utilization program.
• Ensure that campus policy related to architectural character and aesthetics - including landscaping, signage, graphics, lighting, urban design, and related elements of the Campus Facilities Master Plan - is adhered to.
• Prepare budgetary and preliminary cost estimates - including architectural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing equipment replacements, modifications to existing systems, and renovations - for use in capital budget preparation, contracts, and estimating available in-house material and personnel resources.
• Conduct pre-design project reviews for the campus.

Design/Construction Coordination

• Provide overall management of Project Managers, setting individual PM goals and ensuring PM accountability for the full scope of all projects.
• Work with all SUCF consultants on planning initiatives and construction projects.
• Establish and develop departmental plans for major alterations and system modifications to existing facilities; provide program requirements and preliminary designs for use by outside architectural and engineering consultants, including SUCF.
• Review project requests submitted through the website, visit the location to help determine scope of work, and confirm the validity of the project request.
• Review Project Managers' workloads and determine project assignments.
• Supervise Project Managers in day-to-day planning and design, and direct them on project progress.
• Furnish technical architectural/engineering advice to Facilities Plant Operations, interpreting record drawings and analyzing field conditions.
• Develop and enforce project close-out protocols.
• Provide leadership, communication, and quality assessment in the review of budgeting for renovations and new construction.
• Generate project status reports on a routine basis.
• Respond to departmental inquiries.
• Coordinate with FM&D trade shops on project priority and progress.
• Attend and contribute, both verbally and in writing, to Design and Construction project meetings.
• Inspect construction sites and compile Project Managers' progress reports on a routine basis.
• Respond to emergency situations on a 24-hour basis.
• Serve as owner's representative for key facilities projects through all stages of implementation, including programming, design, construction, and move-in.
• Serve as Vice President for FM&D in all duties during the VP's absence and as otherwise required.

Lead Code Enforcement Officer

• Serve as SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University's New York State Code Enforcement Official. If the successful candidate does not already hold certification, they must obtain it within two (2) years of their employment start date; failure to do so may result in administrative action up to and including termination.
• Develop Infection Control Risk Assessments before construction and enforce Interim Life Safety Measures during construction.
• Review construction documentation for constructability and NYS code compliance.
• Issue building permits.
• Perform visual inspections of construction sites and issue commentary as required.
• Provide instructions and direction to ensure code compliance.
• Conduct inspections as required to close out building permits.
• Perform site inspections and issue results reports.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in architecture, planning, or a related technical field required.
• Master's Degree and/or RA (Registered Architect) certification preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in architecture and interior design, including at least 7 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record managing large-scale corporate design and construction projects.
• Expertise in healthcare design software (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, BIM).
• Familiarity with sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL).
• Strong leadership skills and ability to lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to converse technically with engineers and architects.
• Experience in higher education or hospital facilities preferred.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
• Candidates must have a working knowledge of applicable building codes and regulations and of building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and envelope), as well as general knowledge of the LEED certification process or a similar environmental design standard and of long-range capital planning. LEED AP or Construction Management certification preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Fully proficient in AutoCAD.
• Project Management: Ability to identify and implement automated estimating and project management software for quick, accurate estimating and profit-tracking data, and to supervise a team of project managers.
• Real Estate: Experience partnering with legal and real estate departments on property lease development and execution, including build-to-suit and tentative building projects.
• Construction Management: Experience developing construction management systems and procedures, initiating construction cost reporting, and handling joint-venture construction activities.
• Oversight: Ability to monitor processes and situations effectively and hold teams accountable.
• Due Diligence: Ability to perform due diligence and feasibility studies, including budget analysis using various conversion types.
• Change Management: Experience in team building and in training staff to think creatively and manage through periods of organizational transition.
• Leadership, coaching, and team-building skills to strengthen and cultivate relationships; strategic and analytical thinking skills with the ability to develop creative options to address capital infrastructure needs in a university and hospital facilities deferred-maintenance environment, solve design problems, and make decisions.
• Ability to network, interact, and support effective partnerships with key groups and individuals.
• Ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects, and to conduct research and gather information.
• Demonstrated excellence in customer service, both internal and external to the organization, including the ability to translate technical plans for broad audiences. Commitment to the Guiding Principles of Administration and Finance leadership: Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Knowledge, Leadership, Communication, and Work-Life Balance.
• Excellent oral and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.