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

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

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 within SPO and PSOM, as well as with the greater University and Health System partners and stakeholders.

Job Description

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or related field is preferred, or equivalent work experience required. Master’s degree is preferred

• Professional Experience: 7-10 years required. 10+ preferred of relevant work experience preferably in a medical school or academic environment

• Job Knowledge and Personal Skills:
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. Good managerial and people skills. Accurate and precise, organized, and willing to follow procedures/regimen. Ability to manage concurrent projects while meeting project deadlines and navigating a political landscape with internal and external stakeholders. Ensures accountability, demonstrates self-awareness and resilience, and values differences. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage conflict and ambiguity. Nimble learning and self-development skills. Ability to work in a collaborative environment and instill trust with supervisor, peers, and constituents.
  • Dynamic leader with excellent communication skills. Outstanding organizational skills, resilience, and an inclusive attitude. Understands the commitment to client service, and desire to work within a diverse, collaborative, and professional environment.  A self-motivated professional, who can work independently. Ability to work with a team, build relationships, and interact effectively with diverse stakeholder groups. Flexible enough to adapt to shifting priorities.  Ability to effectively manage time, prioritize deliverables, organize workload.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite (MS Project, PowerPoint, & Excel)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Perelman School of Medicine is a multi-building research and teaching complex with emphasis on biomedical research.  As such, and to ensure successful fulfillment of its mission (research and education), the School Community requires a much higher level of support service delivery than usually experienced in a typical academic environment. Problems that would be mere annoyances in some facilities have the potential of destroying thousands of dollars and months or years of often-irreplaceable work. The Department of Space Planning & Operations is responsible for coordinating and assuring uninterrupted delivery of the necessary utility and other support services.

The above statement is included in this position description in an attempt to provide the reader with an understanding of:

1) The responsibilities of this Office;

2) The importance to both the School and the University of the work performed; and

3) The stress and pressure placed upon employees by the emergency situations to which they must repeatedly respond.

4) All employees of the Space Planning & Operations department are considered to be “essential.”

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$135,327.00 - $175,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay