"Associate Director, Planning - USHD"

Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Capital Programs for Upper Science Hill Development with broad latitude to exercise a high level of independent judgment and initiative, provide leadership and coordination of planning, formulation, and design for renovation, alteration, and new construction projects. Provide senior-level planning and design for large-scale, complex building projects, including new construction, major renovations, and various types of campus studies. Manage all design consultants, other planners, and coordinate with construction project managers.

The Associate Director (AD) of Planning will have demonstrated leadership experience as the lead Architect or Owner Representative on a variety of project types, including research laboratories, with an additional 5 years’ experience as a Team Leader. The AD will focus on the Upper Science Hill Development and will be responsible for providing direction to Planning team members and oversight of all phases of the supervisory process, including annual reviews and accountability for Team performance. The AD is responsible for managing design contracts and work products throughout all phases of work. Protect the University’s financial interests through value engineering, cost and schedule control, life-cycle cost analysis & contract management. Lead the resolution of planning & technical conflicts to recommend cost-effective options & approaches. Uphold University Standards & policies and enforce design consultant contract terms.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent verbal & written communication skills. Ability to function successfully & collaboratively with members of the academic & scientific communities to understand & discuss specific lab research & academic needs. Ability to work within a project team structure.
2. Proven ability to develop planning solutions & participate in the resolution of planning & technical issues, recommend cost-effective options & approaches, and negotiate additional service requests from consultants. Ability to synthesize technical programmatic needs, develop alternative planning solutions to use as tools for establishing design
3. Proven knowledge of architectural, engineering, and construction technology, theory, practices, and principles. Experience with institutional lab buildings, historic structures, large-scale capital construction programs, and project management responsibility. Knowledge of building codes, zoning ordinances, and related regulations
4. Knowledge of project development, execution, and budgeting. Knowledge of financial practices, including capital and strategic planning, and life-cycle cost analysis. Ability to use CAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite.
5. Well-developed organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication and managerial skills, and the ability to process multiple projects, set priorities, and work independently to meet objectives. Ability to establish priorities and follow through on projects, paying close attention to detail with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Experience with laboratory/research institutional/academic building types and large-scale construction programs.
2. Valid Professional Architectural registration.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Direct the work of Planners assigned to complete planning studies, formulations and design of projects. Provide design direction on all projects as required. Ensure that formulation and design activities accurately reflect the planning intent and aesthetic character for Planning and Construction projects as well as accurately reflecting schedule, cost and implementation factors as agreed with the Director and Associate Director, Construction.
2. Establish priorities for the allocation of design resources. Responsible for the Planning groups formulation and design process to deliver required planning studies and reports. Participate in yearly performance evaluation of assigned Planners.
3. Act as a liaison between project architects, or other consultants, various building committees and staff members to provide continuity of agreed to formulation scope, schedule and budget through all phases of a project.
4. Prepare, direct and present comprehensive Departmental planning, implementation and financial strategies for occupancy and growth including; existing space utilization, programming, project formulation, design development, and other evaluations for new building construction. Manage approval authorizations by preparing succinct presentations that distill complex project issues into distinct, clear options, thereby allowing for informed and timely decision-making.
5. Manage the requests of faculty and staff, soliciting appropriate input for development of projects and programs while ensuring plans and programs comply with University objectives. Negotiate, manage and review consultant activity, assist in the in the selection of designers and construction contractors for a uniform selection, bidding and contracting process.
6. Prepare and administer agreements for professional services and vendors required for successful completion of a project. Ensures projects in the planning phase are completed within the approved budget and schedule and conform to applicable codes and zoning ordinances. Manage and review the progress and quality of the work performed by outside and in-house consultants.
7. Develop planning models based on the needs of department, refining projects parameters and priorities, identifying scope and budget. Provide information and recommendations on physical and comprehensive planning and design issues, large scale planning studies, and special facilities planning topics.
8. For select projects, manage and direct the work of a project design/management team in carrying out the following typical responsibilities: Refine project scope and budget; manage the involvement of other operating units; report to the School administration regarding project status; and oversee project from the completion of project formulation through occupancy and turnover.
9. Interact with Yale committees, Deans, Department Heads, administrators and staff from University departments to consult, confer and advise on institutional capital project issues, to obtain approval for programs, to develop programs/projects, to provide progress reports and coordination, to obtain review and approval of plans and budgets for implementation.
10. Provide advice and judgment in assuring capital projects conformity with appropriate building and life safety codes, University Standards and departmental policies and procedures. Exercise professional judgment in protecting the University’s financial interest through value engineering, cost and schedule control, and life cycle cost analysis. Participates in the resolution of planning and technical conflicts and recommends cost effective options and approaches. Uphold University Standards & policies.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, urban or regional planning, urban design, civil engineering, or related field, and ten years of related experience in planning, design and project management, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.