Job DescriptionPosition Summary:Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Facilities and Development (REFD), the Director of Planning is a leader within the division and primarily focuses on the development and implementation of various campus master plans. Supervising a team of planners, the Director is responsible for interpreting, updating and recommending strategies that are aligned with the Campus Master Plan. The Director of Planning also serves as a liaison between the City of Nashville, adjacent neighborhoods, and the campus community to ensure expectations are managed and site development is viewed within the campus context.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:Programmatic Design and Planning & Process:- Partners with the Chief Facilities Officer (CFO) and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate (AVC) to lead in the development and implementation of the Campus Master Plan, and all other master planning efforts including accessibility, mobility and transportation; landscape; and sub-unit school, college, and division facility master plans.
- Assists the CFO and AVC with utilities, infrastructure, capital, and third-party developer planning efforts.
- Conceptualize campus program needs into practical near and long-term planning options, including expansion campuses outside of Tennessee.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive space management program and plan to meet University needs; lead collaboration efforts with members of the Facilities, Real Estate, and Vice Chancellor teams (deans, department leads, etc.) 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.
- Working closely with local government officials, VU Community and Government relations, General Counsel, Facilities and Real Estate, lead the process for obtaining approvals for and documenting easements, rights of way and road abandonments as needs arise.
- 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.
- Supports and communicate the roll-out of new systems and tools for planning, in collaboration with other departments as needed.
- Coordinates closely with Finance to develop plans within budget, ranging from renewal and renovation projects through new construction.
- Oversee tracking and maintenance of portfolio data, metrics, and outcomes to assess program impact and ensure achievement of goals.[MS1]
- Serves as the custodian of the University's institutional knowledge concerning campus planning and the historical evolution of campus development.
- Assists the AVC and CFO in facilitating and directing the development and implementation of the Five-Year Capital Plan planning and delivery process.
- Responsible for leading efforts to increase accessibility and promoting ADA standards for accessible design.
Internal and External Communications:- Assemble graphically clear and compelling presentations and other communication materials that distill the planning process, scenarios, and recommendations.
- Create and deliver information to University leadership and external partners.
- Develop and present scenarios to help inform decisions regarding campus space use.
Supervision and Leadership:- Support the development of individual team members to ensure continuous improvement and development.
- Ability to lead and motivate diverse teams directly or indirectly in the reporting structure.
- Demonstrated ability to develop clear expectations and timelines to drive performance.
Supervisory Relationships:This position has supervisory responsibility of the planning team; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Vice Chancellor of 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.
- 8+ years of experience leading teams is required.
- Private sector experience is preferred.
- 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, sustainability, and ADA compliance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead conversations and initiatives related to accessibility standards.
- Ability to communicate in written, verbal, and graphic form, with faculty, staff, and student community, as well as internal technical staff, external consultants, and senior administration.
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
