Assistant Director of Planning Design & Construction

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 116,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. seeks an Assistant Director of Planning, Design & Construction to lead the Planning, Design, and Construction Division within Facilities Management.

This role oversees the university's capital improvement program, coordinating planning, design, procurement, construction, renovation, and commissioning of campus facilities to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery and compliance with codes and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field; equivalent combos considered.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business Admin, Public Admin or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in planning, design, construction, or capital project management.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory/management experience leading professional staff.
• Experience managing large capital construction projects (>$10M) and multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Planning, Design, and Construction Division.
• Develop goals, policies, procedures, and performance standards aligned with the facilities master plan.
• Supervise and develop project managers and staff.
• Oversee CIP planning, new construction, renovations, and infrastructure renewal.
• Direct multiple complex projects from initiation to closeout.
• Prepare scopes, budgets, schedules, cost estimates, and resource plans.
• Administer operating and capital budgets; ensure fiscal stewardship.
• Oversee consultant selection, contracts, procurement, and construction administration.
• Monitor construction progress with site inspections for quality and safety.
• Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Present status, budgets, and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Coordinate with university leadership, clients, consultants, engineers, and regulators.

Skills

Capital project planning

Leadership

Budgeting/forecasting

Contract administration

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering/Construction Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

BIM

Job description

Job Posting

JR102058 Assistant Director of Planning Design & Construction(Open)

Department

Facilities, PM

Position Type

Regular

Open Date

08-04-2026

Close Date

$116,000 - $126,430

Job Description

Direct and manage the Planning, Design, and Construction Division within Facilities Management. Provide strategic leadership for the University's capital improvement program by overseeing the planning, design, procurement, construction, renovation, and commissioning of campus facilities and infrastructure projects. Manage departmental operations, staff, budgets, and resources while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and University standards. Serve as the primary liaison between University leadership, clients, consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Planning, Design, and Construction Division.
• Develop departmental goals, policies, procedures, performance standards, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with the University's strategic facilities master plan.
• Supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop project managers and professional staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Plan, prioritize, and oversee the University's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including new construction, renovations, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure renewal projects.
• Independently direct multiple complex capital projects valued in the multi-million-dollar range from project initiation through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, cost estimates, and resource plans while monitoring financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Administer departmental operating and capital budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of University resources.
• Oversee consultant selection, contract negotiations, procurement activities, contractor performance, and construction contract administration in accordance with University procurement policies.
• Monitor construction progress through regular site inspections to ensure quality workmanship, safety, compliance with project specifications, and adherence to schedules.
• Review design documents, technical specifications, construction methods, material selections, change orders, and contractor requests for compliance, constructability, and cost effectiveness.
• Identify project risks and implement proactive strategies to resolve technical, financial, scheduling, and construction issues.
• Serve as the principal liaison among University leadership, faculty, staff, consultants, contractors, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.
• Present project status reports, capital planning recommendations, budgets, and major initiatives to executive leadership and other governing bodies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, OSHA regulations, ADA requirements, environmental regulations, life safety standards, and other federal, state, and local requirements.
• Promote sustainable design principles, energy-efficient construction practices, and long-term facility resilience where appropriate.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies, construction methodologies, and infrastructure improvements that enhance campus operations and support institutional goals.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, technical reports, project management systems, and performance metrics.
• Provide technical expertise and consultation to University departments regarding facilities planning, construction, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements.
• Coordinate with Facilities Operations to facilitate smooth project turnover, commissioning, warranty administration, and occupancy.

Represent the University in meetings with architects, engineers, contractors, governmental agencies, utility providers, and community stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, construction, or capital project management.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience leading professional staff and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing large capital construction projects with individual project values exceeding $10 million and responsibility for multiple concurrent capital projects.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of capital project planning, design, construction management, procurement, and contract administration.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable building codes, life safety standards, OSHA regulations, ADA requirements, and construction industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex capital construction programs and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong financial management skills, including capital budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and project reporting.
• Ability to evaluate technical proposals, design modifications, contractor claims, and change orders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management abilities.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership, faculty, staff, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality, safety, and customer service.
• Proficiency with project management systems, scheduling software, construction documentation, and Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, BIM, or similar construction technologies is desirable.

Additional Job Information

Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-termdisability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and lifeinsurance; paid time for paid sick leave, annual leave, andpersonal leave; 12 paid holidays per year, tuition remission;employer-funded pension and supplemental retirement accounts.

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against anyindividual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, maritalstatus or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities ofBowie State University are and shall be in conformity with allpertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including,but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asamended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the EqualPay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with DisabilitiesAct of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B ofthe Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in allareas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.

Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shallbe extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have asits firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring,rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention anddismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. TheUniversity will stress equal access for employees and applicantsfor employment to all programs and services provided by theUniversity both on and off campus. The University will also provideequal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination withrespect to women and members of minority groups in all itsoperations. In addition, the University shall promote equalopportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuingAffirmative Action Program.

The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonableaccommodations to promote the employment of qualified individualswith disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodationswould impose an undue hardship on the University's business.

In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected toharassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discriminationbecause they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activitiessuch as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in aninvestigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act orpractice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected bySection 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or theVietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, asamended.