Sr Director, Design & Construction (Space Planning & Operations)

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Posted Job Title

Sr Director, Design & Construction (Space Planning & Operations)

Job Profile Title

Director D, Facilities

Job Description Summary

The Sr Director of Design and Construction works closely with the Executive Director of Planning, Design & Construction and PSOM administrative management, department chairs, and University Facilities and Real Estate Services to oversee all capital project implementation for the Perelman School of Medicine (“PSOM”). The position directs/leads PSOM staff engaged in design and construction oversight to oversee and ensure the success of all activity related to design and construction at the PSOM and coordinates all activity as appropriate with School and University administration and support agencies. The Sr Director is the key administrative point of contact with external parties and PSOM constituents related to facilities renovations and / or new construction issues. The Sr Director tracks project status, budgets, schedules, resolves conflicts, and reports to PSOM Administration. This position is “essential.”

The Sr Director Design & Construction is the senior administrative leader and functional subject matter expert for the Perelman School of Medicine (“PSOM”) campus design and construction initiatives. This position oversees a team of project managers whose work supports the PSOM Dean’s Office, including the Senior Vice Dean of Finance & Operations, the Chief Scientific Officer, all Research and Medical Educational Department Chairs, faculty and staff as an expert advisor for PSOM facilities design and construction excellence.

The Space Planning and Operations organization serves as the facilities management arm of PSOM working in full partnership with University and Health System facilities service providers of facilities and capital planning, design & construction project management, as well as operations & maintenance for on-campus, leased properties, and PSOM space within health system buildings. The University Facilities & Real Estate Services (FRES) and University of Pennsylvania Health System Real Estate, Design & Construction (REDC) are the two primary facilities management service providers for which daily liaison and partnership are critical. Other key partners having jurisdiction on campus and for which liaison is important include Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS), Fire and Emergency Services (FES), University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR).

The Senior Director Design & Construction collaborates with and between internal and external parties to provide strategic direction and tactical oversight for PSOM facilities initiatives. The position executes projects on the annual capital plan and assigns and oversees staff managing the projects for infrastructure renewal, wet and dry biomedical laboratory research, academic teaching and support space for faculty recruitment, larger departmental space reconfigurations and building renovations, including new fit-outs and new construction, reporting to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with long-term institutional goals in partnership with the Dean’s key administrators.

The Senior Director is expected to be a hands-on leader who balances strategic vision with a willingness to understand the details, tackle challenges directly, and support the team wherever needed to ensure project success. They participate in capital project formation, scope and budget estimate development for project initiation, and sustainability for PSOM facilities-related initiatives. The position works in close collaboration with the PSOM and SPO leadership and cross-functional teams, ensuring the design and construction program meets high expectations and delivers exceptional customer focused solutions in partnership with consultants, contractors, and vendors that meet operational, research, and educational needs at the School and University levels.

• KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• •Lead, manage, and supervise the design & construction team in supporting the project delivery of PSOM’s capital projects across its ~2.9M NSF built environment campus.
• •Direct all phases of capital projects from concept development and programming through design, construction, commissioning, occupancy, and project closeout.
• •Establish and implement project management standards, construction quality controls, and risk mitigation strategies.
• •Monitor project performance, budgets, schedules, and construction activities, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
• •Coordinate construction activities to minimize disruption to ongoing research, teaching, and clinical operations.
• •Champion sustainable design, energy efficiency, resilience, and campus master planning initiatives.
• •Oversee the design of specialized environments including wet labs, vivaria, clean rooms, imaging suites, and other advanced research facilities.
• •Work with both University Facilities and Health System partners (FRES and REDC) providing design & construction project management and operations & maintenance services to PSOM in the management of external architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and vendors to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget.
• •Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, researchers, and operational stakeholders to align facility projects with institutional research, education, and strategic objectives.
• •Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and resource plans while ensuring adherence to financial and operational goals.
• •Lead by example with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, actively engaging in project challenges and contributing wherever needed to ensure successful outcomes, addressing critical project issues, removing obstacles, and supporting team members in meeting project objectives, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations.
• •Balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operational involvement, providing practical guidance throughout planning, design, construction, and occupancy phases.
• •Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic research environment, taking ownership of challenges and ensuring continuity of project progress.
• •Build strong relationships across the institution by being accessible, responsive, and willing to assist at both strategic and tactical levels.
• •Leverage and develop the talent of the design & construction team, fostering a culture of service-oriented collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement in solving complex problems and continually lead the pursuit of enhanced synergies and connections with