Summary/Position Description:

The Division of Facilities, Planning and Operations at Rowan University is a growing enterprise. The Division’s mission is to create and sustain a vibrant, safe, supportive environment at Rowan’s campuses. The Division provides leadership in facilities, campus planning, development and maintenance. Organizationally, the Division is led by the Vice President for Real Estate Development and Capital Projects/Executive Director SJTP who is a member of the President’s executive cabinet.

The Department of Planning is a part of the Division of Facilities, Planning and Operations.  Through collaboration and partnership with the rest of the Division of Facilities, Planning and Operations and campus community, this Department leads the overall planning and design for the University including but not limited to the Glassboro Campus, the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-VirtuaSOM), the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), the Joint Health Science Building, and Camden Academic Bank Building in Camden, the West Campus including the South Jersey Tech Park (SJTP), School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Nursing School.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Vice President, Strategic Projects and University Architect, the Senior Director of Planning and Design/Assistant University Architect will manage the planning and design of projects for a wide range of building types from pre-construction to construction contract award. Working closely with the Assistant Vice President, Strategic Projects and University Architect, Director of Capital Projects, Capital Projects Project Managers, Construction Project Managers, Facilities & Operations and support staff within the department, the Senior Director of Planning and Design/Assistant University Architect will contribute to the overall operation and service-oriented activities of the department, providing leadership in planning and design, advancing the capability and professionalism of the department and the role of Senior Director of Planning and Design/Assistant University Architect.

Position Overview:

• Primary Responsibilities: Overseeing the planning and design of projects, managing teams, ensuring space allocation aligns with University needs, and ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations.
• Leadership: The Senior Director will manage key personnel (Director of Planning & Design Services and Director of Landscape Architectural Services) and will work closely with multiple teams and University stakeholders.
• Project Oversight: The position ensures that projects, from inception to completion, are executed successfully while meeting the University's objectives and maintaining sustainability standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Collaboration

• Oversees the Director of Planning & Design Services.
• Oversees the Director of Landscape Architectural Services.
• Advises senior administration regarding planning, design, and construction issues.
• Represents the University with on-campus and off-campus groups and organizations related to planning, design, and construction issues as needed.
• Serves on committees as requested to provide input and guidance regarding University operations and campus initiatives.
• Promotes a positive and cooperative image of the University with the construction industry by assisting in coordination between the University and various agencies.
• Ensures the success of capital projects and physical improvements by coordinating with Facilities & Operations. 
• Works with Facilities & Operations to develop solutions to facility-related problems.
• Advises senior administration of the condition of existing University buildings and facilities regarding code compliance, life safety requirements, and physical condition and makes recommendations for actions to correct deficient or unsafe conditions in facilities.
• Manages the Planning & Design group by recommending the most effective and efficient structure and staffing for the office, hiring qualified applicants, supervising staff, training personnel to departmental and University standards and procedures, assigning projects appropriate to the capabilities of the employee, setting goals and objectives, and evaluating performance.
• Advises the Board of Trustees regarding the status of on-going and planned capital projects and physical improvements by preparing reports and resolutions requested or required for submission to the Board of Trustees in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, maintaining required and appropriate professional designations, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the supervisor.
• Assist the Facilities & Operations team as needed in identifying equipment and facility needs as they relate to the functional use and aesthetic character of campus facilities. Assist with the design/bid documents for the replacement or upgrade of major component parts and systems within the University’s physical plant.

Compliance and Standards:

• Ensures that all projects follow applicable state and federal regulations.
• Facilitates building code compliance by acting as the building code authority for the University.
• Facilitates compliance of the University with accessibility requirements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by understanding the requirements of ADA, reviewing the physical accessibility of university structures, facilities, and property, advising senior administration of deficiencies in meeting ADA requirements, and making recommendations for compliance which include the costs and scope of compliance modifications.
• Develops and maintains departmental policies, guidelines, and standards applicable to the entire University and assists with dissemination of this information by various means, including face-to-face interactions, published guidelines, and web pages.
• Develops and maintains design standards and quality expectations for physical improvements and communicates them to consultants, contractors, and others performing construction on campus.

Strategic Planning:

• Works with all components of the University academic and administrative staff, to develop a thorough and effective process for maintaining the campus master plan as planned capital projects and physical improvements occur.
• Facilitates the process to ensure that a valid campus master plan is maintained and that completed projects meet the needs of the various campus constituencies who will use the facilities.
• Oversees the efficient allocation, use, and management of university space by actively participating in space management activities such as reviewing the allocation of existing as well as any new space proposed for university departments, colleges, and programs, including analyzing existing available space to determine appropriateness for the proposed purpose, and developing alternatives and making recommendations the University administration regarding the appropriate space for a particular use.

Project Management:

• Assists with ensuring that all capital projects and physical improvements are effectively managed by overseeing all activity on these projects, including feasibility analysis, programming, preliminary studies and development of alternative solutions, code review, project design, development of contract documents, preparation of project estimates and budgets, solicitation, receipt, and evaluation of project bids for award to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder. 
• Assists with selection of consultants engaged by the University for capital projects and physical improvements by using processes and procedures in accordance with state law, negotiating fees and developing contracts for professional services related to all projects, and evaluating and documenting the performance of consultants.
• Provides review of claims made by design consultants and facilitates the administration of information to provide resolution to contractual disputes or disagreements.
• Protects the University from engaging unqualified consultants and contractors by maintaining records of the performance of all contractors and consultants, rendering an evaluation, and using the documentation to support selection of the best qualified firm to provide work for the project.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual state appropriations request by developing capital renewal projects which support the campus master plan.
• Assists with and prepares required and requested reports to federal and state agencies regarding physical improvements.
• Assists in fund-raising efforts for physical improvements by assisting in the preparation of applications and other necessary supporting materials for construction grants, loans, and donations.
• Oversees the establishment of budgets, approves the expenditure of funds, and manages assigned capital budgets for physical improvements.

Sustainability:

• Promotes and supports the University’s statement on sustainability by planning, designing, and constructing capital projects and physical improvements using sustainable principles such as those established by the U. S. Green Building Council, following guidelines such as those set forth by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and other similar organizations.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Requirements:

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture required; advanced degree preferred.

Licensure/Certification:

• Registered Architect (RA) required. Accreditation through the United States Green Building Council in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in design, construction, and management including demonstrated team management and assignments with documented budget responsibility.
• Extensive experience in planning and design, project cost estimating, bidding and coordination of architectural design documents through all phases of projects.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, industry standards, building accessibility requirements, and applicable statutes of the State of New Jersey.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
• The ability to communicate with the University community regarding planning, design, and construction issues is required.
• Management skills, particularly decision-making and problem-solving skills are required.
• Organized and detail oriented with the ability to change directions quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with CAD and other graphic programs preferred.