Director of Planning & Design - Associate Campus Architect
Hiring Range
The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.…
Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $155,000 - $200,000.
Job Closing Date
This position is expected to work on-campus Monday through Thursday with Friday remaining flexible as business dictates.
Initial applicant review will take place on or around August 10, 2026, Posting will close upon satisfactory completion of first-round interviews.
The ideal candidate will be licensed by the California Architects Board (CAB) or be capable of acquiring the license within 6 months of hire.
About UC Merced
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.
Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.
About the Job
The Director of Planning and Design serves as a key collaborator and leader within the capital program, directly responsible for the planning and design phases of major capital projects. In this role, the Director acts as UC Merced's primary representative through the early phases of capital projects, leading initial project planning, directing planning tasks, leading design review activities, and managing stakeholder engagement. The Director also serves in a support role during the construction phase, focusing on architectural systems and stakeholder engagement.
Planning Program Leadership: The Director oversees the campus Planning unit, which stewards UC Merced's physical development permits and regulatory documentation, including the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP), Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Incidental Take Permit (ITP), and other environmental or land use requirements. The Director manages principal planners who lead project specific planning tasks and ensures planning work aligns with campus goals and regulatory obligations.
Design Program Leadership: For the Major Capital Program, the Director leads the design process for each project, including negotiating consultant contracts, establishing design schedules, and managing the design review process. For minor capital projects, the Director ensures consistency in consultant selection and provides guidance and advisement to campus stakeholders. The Director ensures design work is aligned with campus guiding documents and is properly prepared for permitting and bidding.
Furniture Program Oversight: The Director is responsible for the university's furniture program, with a primary emphasis on Major Capital projects. Responsibilities include ensuring that furniture planning is integrated into the broader design process and supports the functional and aesthetic goals of each project.
Associate Campus Architect Role: As the Associate Campus Architect, the Director partners with the Campus Architect to guide campus-wide architectural direction, including standards, aesthetics, and technical reviews. In this capacity, the Director is responsible for overseeing the selection of design professionals across the capital program, ensuring consistent and compliant selection processes, and providing expert architectural judgment to support institutional decision-making.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Project Initiation & Planning: Lead management and initiation of capital projects, including defining scope, selecting and onboarding consultants, and conducting visioning/programming to validate user requirements and align with institutional goals and fiscal constraints.
- Land Use & Planning Oversight: Oversee campus development permits and long-range planning documents (LRDP), including EIR and other CEQA-related documents, coordinating with regulatory bodies and ensuring compliance. Represent the university in discussions with various regional governmental agencies relating to development projects both on and around the university.
- Design Review Leadership: Chair and coordinate the campus design review process for architectural proposals, elevations, materials, site plans, and wayfinding, ensuring adherence to campus standards, sustainability goals, and program needs. Serve as Associate Campus Architect, collaborating with the Campus Architect on design intent, aesthetic stewardship, and technical compliance. Maintain and enforce Architectural Design Guidelines, Campus Construction Standards, and Landscape Guidelines.
- Construction Phase Support: Provide campus-side support during construction by reviewing Submittals and RFIs as needed, participating in construction meetings, and tracking the resolution of field issues and punch lists.
- Consultant & Contract Stewardship: Lead and manage architect/engineer consultant selection, contracting, and performance oversight, enforcing compliance with campus standards and applicable codes.
- Campus Architectural Stewardship & Sustainability: Provide strategic leadership for campus aesthetics, design excellence, and institutional identity across all locations. Champion integration of sustainable and resilient design, coordinating with sustainability leadership and ensuring compliance with best practices.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Represent UC Merced in design-related engagements with colleges, departments, committees, auxiliary units, and external partners; facilitate consensus and clear decision timelines.
- Governance, Reporting & Standards: Prepare executive-level reports and briefings for senior leadership and planning committees on design quality, campus plan implementation, and project performance. Maintain campus design, construction, and master planning standards; ensure projects comply with applicable codes and policies.
- Team Leadership & Supervision: Supervise Project Directors and mentor planning/design staff, building professional capability and a culture of design excellence. Responsible for supervising, directing, and evaluating the work of subordinate employees, and exercising independent judgment in the administration of department policies and procedures.
- Furniture Program (FF&E) Management: Provide managerial support for the university's furniture program with a primary focus on Major Capital projects; support the team in stakeholder management, advocacy, and prioritization needs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related field (required); and/or
- Advanced degree from an accredited university in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related field (preferred); and
- Six years of directly related progressively responsible experience in the planning and design of capital projects, preferably in higher education or public sector, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience (required); and
- Must be a licensed California Architect issued by the California Architects Board (CAB), or be capable of acquiring the license within 6 months of hire (required).
- Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale design and construction projects and complex stakeholder coordination.
- Demonstrated skill in aligning stakeholder expectations with project realities, ensuring disciplined scope management throughout planning and design.
- Demonstrated skill in coordinating with architects, engineers, and consultants to align design outcomes with programmatic, functional, and operational needs identified by campus stakeholders, including the ability to continuously validate design progress against stakeholder expectations, identify gaps and drive corrective alignment with the design team.
- Strong understanding of construction documents, design phases, building codes, and sustainability practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and project management skills.
- Experience in public university capital programs - preferred
- Familiarity with UC Facilities Manual, California Building Code (CBC), and State Fire Marshal (SFM) processes.
- Experience with campus design guidelines, master planning, and design review boards.
- Experience with campus planning processes and the development, implementation, or management of Long-Range Development Plans (LRDPs).
Background Check
Background check required.
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!