Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Director of Facilities and Planning

Position Summary

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Facilities and Planning. This is a highly visible role responsible for shaping, optimizing, and advancing a diverse portfolio of academic, research, and administrative spaces across both on-campus and off-campus locations.

In this role, you won’t just manage facilities—you will help design the environments where breakthrough research happens, where students learn, and where innovation comes to life. You will lead complex projects, influence long-term space strategy, and partner across the institution to ensure that our facilities evolve to meet the rapidly changing needs of engineering education and research.

This position operates at both a strategic and operational level, driving capital planning, improving space utilization, and enhancing the overall experience for faculty, staff, and students in a fast-paced, high-impact academic setting.

Key Responsibilities

Facilities & Operational Leadership

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operations of College of Engineering facilities, ensuring high-performing, responsive, and reliable environments that support research, teaching, and administrative excellence.
• Ensure facilities effectively support research labs, instructional spaces, and administrative operations.
• Partner with campus units (e.g., Infrastructure Planning and Facilities) to coordinate maintenance, renovations, and capital improvements.
• Oversee operations across multiple on-campus and off-campus facilities, ensuring consistent service levels and operational standards.
• Receive, review, evaluate, and authorize execution of unit-initiated service requests, ensuring alignment with operational priorities and resource availability.

Strategic Planning & Project Management

• Drive the strategic direction of facilities and space planning across the College.
• Develop and implement long-range facilities and space plans aligned with college priorities, including research growth and space optimization.
• Lead high-impact renovation and capital projects from concept through execution, improving space utilization, meeting code requirements, and ensuring accessibility.
• Prepare, direct, or participate in the development of building program statements for major capital projects.
• Conduct and direct space utilization audits; evaluate current and future space needs and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Manage the University classroom pool for the College, including monitoring utilization patterns and planning for ongoing maintenance and upgrades aligned with evolving instructional pedagogy.
• Coordinate space planning initiatives in consultation with departments to support evolving academic, research, and operational needs.

Financial & Resource Management

• Strategically manage facilities-related budgets, including forecasting, financial tracking, and reporting.
• Administer and monitor financial records and project accounts related to facilities projects, renovations, and capital improvements.
• Provide strategic input and support in the preparation and development of annual capital outlay budget requests in collaboration with college and university leadership.
• Align financial decisions with long-term infrastructure and space strategy.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies while maintaining high service and safety standards.
• Oversee procurement of equipment, materials, and services in alignment with university policies.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations related to safety, environmental health, accessibility, and facilities operations.
• Conduct regular inspections to maintain safe, functional, and compliant environments.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety and other units to support risk mitigation and incident response.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to facilities and operational staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team culture aligned with the College’s values.
• Support staff development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to faculty, researchers, and administrative leadership on facilities and space planning.
• Consult with and advise ad ministrative unit leaders to resolve complex space allocation and utilization challenges.
• Negotiate and collaborate with stakeholders to align facilities decisions with institutional priorities and operational needs.
• Maintain and enhance facilities-related databases; develop and deliver recurring and ad hoc reports to support data-informed decision-making.
• Respond to and resolve facilities-related concerns with professionalism, responsiveness, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Support college events, research initiatives, and operational needs through effective coordination and communication.

Impact of the Role

This role is central to advancing the College’s mission. The Director of Facilities and Planning directly shapes the physical environment that enables groundbreaking research, innovative teaching, and a world-class student experience. Success in this role ensures that spaces are not only functional but forward-thinking, adaptable, and aligned with the future of engineering.

Work Environment

• Combination of office and on-site facilities environment
• Regular walking, site inspections, and coordination across multiple buildings and locations
• Travel between on-campus and off-campus facilities will be required 

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business or a related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in facilities planning and space alterations and improvements, budget development and management; and an understanding of institutional facilities and physical plant matters; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, research, or laboratory environments
• Strong understanding of complex building systems and infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references
• Cover Letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Summary of Physical Demands

Moving of equipment/objects

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends April 29, 2026, 11:55 PM