Assistant Director of Residential Planning and Capital Projects at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 525599

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Design & Construction Mgmn

Union: Non-Unit Exempt

Categories: Facilities/Grounds

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Campus Development, the Assistant Director of Residential Planning and Capital Projects is responsible for organizing and managing a group of professional staff in the management of the programming, planning and design of housing capital projects, feasibility studies, and deferred maintenance management and capital projects; the development and organization of project management processes and procedures; and the management of personally assigned projects in direct support of the overarching mission of Campus Life and the University. This position will be supervised by the Executive Director Campus Development but will also have a dotted line to the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance for certain matters related to public private partnerships evaluation and management.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the overall performance, productivity, and outcome of a group of architects, engineers, and related professionals engaged in the planning, design, and construction management of residential capital projects.


• Creates and implements a strategic renewal plan that operates in unison with facility condition, individual business units, and University strategic plans. Accountable for leading, developing, and managing the planning for the University's renewal program. Sets goals, objectives, and standards in support of the University's mission and priorities.


• Manages and coordinates feasibility studies including preparing program information, budgets and development schedules, coordinating work of interdepartmental groups and working with all levels of the University.


• Coordinates and manages planning, design, and construction phases for multiple technically complex capital project activities with both in-house and outside consultants including preparation and administration of consultant contracts.


• Organizes, manages, and enhances the overall performance, productivity, and outcome of senior project managers and related professionals engaged in the management of capital projects by developing and maintaining project management standards, as well as enforcing UMA project management processes and procedures.


• Performs oversight of the contract administration for assigned projects; supervises construction engineers and resident engineers during the construction of a variety of capital projects that could include new construction, renovations, utility installations, site work, and landscaping.


• Serves as a senior University representative in managing and coordinating the University's activities with the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA), State Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance (DCAMM), and other local, state, and federal agencies in the planning, design, and construction of capital projects.


• Assists in the development and maintenance of a project design review process that is aligned with the executive review process and in consultation with leadership of Design & Construction Management, Physical Plant, EHS, OIT, clients and customers, and affected parties on campus. Provide training to staff to ensure that design reviews are consistently implemented and effective in providing design quality control.


• Assists in the continued development of divisional systems, policies, procedures, and training in order to provide superior customer service that meets the needs of a diverse campus community.


• Conducts annual performance evaluations, hiring new employees, and providing progressive discipline where appropriate.


• Represents the Campus Planning in second step grievances.


• Prepares oral, written, and graphic presentations for communication of complex planning concepts to senior campus executives, the campus community, and the public.


• Coordinates contracted services and construction activities with DCAM, UMBA, various campus departments, and Physical Plant in order to maximize effectiveness and enhance customer service while minimizing disruption to the campus environment and to surrounding neighborhoods.


• Promotes and assures continuous improvement; establish and maintain productive relationships with a full range of personnel that reflects a strong commitment to customer service and respect for a diverse campus community.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director for Campus Development.


• Promotes and assures continuous improvements. Establishes and maintains productive relationships with a full range of personnel that reflect a strong commitment to customer service and respect for a diverse campus community.


• Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or related field.


• Minimum of eight (8) years of related work experience in housing/real estate for planning, design, construction and/or development for large scale projects. Minimum three (3) years experience managing project staff as direct reports.


• Demonstrated excellence in oral, written, and graphic communication, client interaction and public presentations, project management and data management analysis.


• Demonstrated ability in the managing of financial information and schedule as related to design and construction projects.


• Demonstrated ability in establishing and maintaining productive relationships with a full range of campus and external constituents, including state and local agencies, that reflects a strong commitment to customer service.


• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement imaginative solutions to complex problems.


• Demonstrated experience in word processing and project controls database management systems as related to design and construction.


• Working knowledge of project control platforms eBuilder, Prolog or similar Working knowledge of scheduling tools, Microsoft Project, P6, or similar.


• Thorough knowledge of construction practices, project budget development, scheduling, tracking, and cost control Ability to access any portion of a construction/facility site.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management or related field.


• Knowledge and experience in higher education facility planning, design, and construction.


• Experience with real estate finance, deal structuring, development, lending, or valuation; housing market analysis; and public-private partnerships and development incentives, and P3 delivery methods.


• Experience with and working knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) as they pertain to public procurement, design, and construction.


• Experience with and working knowledge of the State Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance (DCAM) and/or the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA) design and construction statutes, processes, and procedures.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, First Shift.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Nov 6 2024 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: Feb 7 2025 Eastern Standard Time