Associate Director - Facilities Planning, Architecture and Design

Western Connecticut State University is pleased to announce applications are being accepted for Associate Director of Facilities Planning, Architecture & Design.

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply.  We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion.  WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Servicing Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community. 

The Facilities Planning, Architecture & Design department manages the planning, financing, design and construction of capital projects. The office works closely with all departments to develop campus facilities that promote the university’s academic mission. Its goal is to ensure an aesthetic continuity that enhances the educational experience for students and faculty while enriching the Greater Danbury region. The Facilities Planning, Architecture & Design team oversees a wide range of projects that support the needs of the university’s mission, its priorities and objectives.  The department continues to implement the university’s 2016 Campus Master Plan, which identifies capital projects that would enable the university to meet its strategic plan. Information on the University may be found at www.wcsu.edu.

Position Summary: Reports directly to the director, works under the director’s supervision, and works with the Assistant Director of Projects, Space Allocations and Standards as a team. Responsible for providing assistance and guidance to the department during the planning of facilities projects; assisting the director with planning and oversight of capital projects; and representing the university at meetings regarding facilities and capital projects. Responsible for furnishing, programming, planning, architectural design, and technical assistance on current and future capital projects under the direct supervision of the director. May supervise the Assistant Director, University Assistants & student employees.

Position Responsibilities:

• Works on all phases of facilities planning to meet facility needs of the university including the development of plans, specifications, and drawings for required projects, including bidding and construction phases.
• Works with the university faculty and staff in recommending design alternatives and solutions to improve space utilization while adhering to all required building, fire safety, and health codes.
• Provides professional assistance to university academic, administrative, and service departments in design and analysis of their equipment, furnishings, and space needs.
• Prepares order-of-magnitude cost estimates for assigned projects and monitors project cost.
• Assists in tracking progress on all in-house capital projects from initiation to ensure timely expenditure of authorized and allocated funds.
• Oversees the work of outside contractors on minor capital construction and renovation projects. Prepares cost estimates and preliminary designs for all minor capital projects.
• Manages and maintains CAD/CAM system and building data spreadsheets containing inventory of university facilities.
• Coordinates and tracks ADA projects including cost estimates, specifications, and execution oversight. Advises on campus-wide inquiries regarding ADA requirements and needs.
• May perform any of the following duties, which may be changed from time to time, as directed:
  • Comprehensive planning functions that may include measuring buildings, computing areas and related building inventory data, attending planning meetings with varied departments on campus, and preparing planning documents.
  • Coordinates with Department of Administrative Services and private A-E technical personnel on campus projects.
  • Designs and/or prepares drawings for renovation/remodeling projects, or new in-house projects, as permitted by state regulation from design phase through construction phase.
  • Assists in project management of agency-administered projects to include conduct of pre-construction conferences with contractors, analysis of bids, day-to-day project oversight, project progress reports, contract enforcement, approval of change orders, the lead role in creating punch list, and final project inspections.
• Specifies and coordinates Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) needs from planning to procurement to installation for DAS and agency-administered projects including selection, documentation, ergonomics, and ADA compliance (this includes meeting with a variety of vendors to fulfill the end users’ needs and ensure code compliance). Tracks costs and coordinates delivery and installation of equipment for capital projects.
• Assists the director in monitoring, tracking, and managing all department OE project budgets and state bond fund budgets for those agency-administered projects.
• Manages and assists the Assistant Director of Projects, Space Allocations and Standards with maintaining the catalogue of furniture and equipment stock for university needs.
• Manages and assists the Assistant Director of Projects, Space Allocations and Standards with the Move Management projects requested as part of projects or through the Space Allocations Committee approvals.
• Acts as a general resource person for the office staff.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those enumerated above which do not alter the basic level and responsibilities of the position.

As WCSU is a dynamic, diverse workplace, the proven ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures is highly valued.

Application Process: Prospective candidates must submit a cover letter, which includes the contact information for (3) current professional references and a resume.  

To apply, submit your materials to: https://westernconnecticutstateuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/WgT3iV3w88/Associate-Director-Facilities-Planning-Architecture-And-Design

Application materials should be submitted no later than Monday, November 23, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.