Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects

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

Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects

Job Profile Title

Director C, Facilities

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Operations, the Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Projects provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, operation, and improvement of Penn Libraries’ physical environments. The Director leads capital planning, renovation initiatives, space planning efforts, and facilities projects across the Libraries’ portfolio, while maintaining oversight of building operations at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and coordinating facilities services at departmental libraries and other library-operated locations. Working closely with Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and library stakeholders, the Director develops project priorities, establishes program requirements, manages project execution, and ensures that facilities investments support Penn Libraries’ long-term strategic goals. The Director serves as Penn Libraries’ primary representative for facilities planning and capital project development, leading projects from concept and programming through design, construction, occupancy, and post-project evaluation. In partnership with library leadership, the Director develops long-range facilities and space strategies that anticipate evolving academic, research, teaching, technology, and workplace needs, while advancing accessibility, sustainability, and effective space utilization. The Director also oversees facilities operations, including maintenance, housekeeping, security coordination, vendor management, and event readiness; supervises facilities staff, the Libraries Event Planner, and contracted service providers. This role will have direct oversight of 445,000 sq ft encompassing the Penn Libraries physical plant at Van Pelt Library and the Library Research Annex (LIBRA), as well as indirect oversight of an additional 108,000 sq ft of library space across campus. This position is designated as essential personnel and participates in on-call coverage as required.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Lead capital project planning, programming, design, and execution for renovations, renewals, infrastructure upgrades, and space modernization projects across the Libraries; serve as leadership representative and coordinate with FRES, architects, engineers, contractors, and library stakeholders.
• Develop and implement long-range facilities and space planning strategies that support evolving academic, research, collections, teaching, technology, and workplace needs; establish project priorities and capital investment recommendations.  
• Provide leadership for facilities operations and building stewardship across library locations, ensuring safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming environments through effective maintenance, housekeeping, security coordination, and facilities services.  
• Manage facilities renewal, deferred maintenance, and asset management programs, identifying needs, developing scopes and budgets, and coordinating project implementation with university.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, communications, and project governance, facilitating planning discussions, gathering requirements, presenting recommendations, and communicating project impacts, timelines, and outcomes. 
• Supervise facilities staff, the Libraries Event Planner and contracted service providers, establishing priorities, managing performance, allocating resources, and ensuring effective service delivery and event execution. 
• Prepare and manage the Facilities Department budget. Work closely with Finance Department staff to set and monitor budgets, assess and implement the project and vendor bid processes, and generally operate within sound financial practices and in alignment with applicable procedures and policies 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Professional licensure or certification such as Registered Architect (RA), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Facility Management Professional (FMP), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or similar credential.
• Experience in higher education, research libraries, museums, cultural institutions, healthcare, or other large and complex public-serving environments.
• Experience with campus master planning, strategic space planning, workplace strategy, or portfolio planning.
• Knowledge of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation of legacy or architecturally significant buildings.
• Experience integrating sustainability, resilience, energy management, and accessibility principles into capital projects and facilities planning.
• Familiarity with public procurement processes, design and construction contracting methods, and capital budgeting practices within higher education.
• Experience preparing materials and presentations for senior university leadership, governing boards, donors, or external stakeholders.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

University Library

Pay Range

$110,907.00 - $139,600.00 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