Director of Planning & Design – Associate Campus Architect

Society for College and University Planning; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Merced is seeking a Director of Planning & Design - Associate Campus Architect in Merced, CA. The role leads planning, design, and campus design standards for major capital projects, including coordination with regulators and stakeholders.

The position requires a CA architectural license (or ability to obtain within 6 months), 6+ years in capital project planning/design, and proven leadership in design excellence and sustainability across campus Master Plans.)

Qualifications

• Licensed California Architect (CAB) or ability to obtain license within 6 months
• Six+ years of progressive experience in planning and design of capital projects
• Experience in public university capital programs is preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead management and initiation of capital projects, including scope definition and consultant onboarding
• Oversee LRDP, CEQA-related processes, and coordination with regulatory agencies
• Chair campus design review and enforce standards, guidelines, and sustainability practices
• Provide campus-side construction support, review submittals, and attend construction meetings
• Manage architect/engineer consultants, contracts, and performance oversight
• Provide strategic leadership for campus aesthetics, design excellence, and institutional identity
• Engage stakeholders and communities to facilitate consensus and timely decisions
• Prepare executive-level reports on design quality, plan implementation, and project performance
• Supervise planning/design staff and mentor team members
• Oversee Major Capital projects' FF&E program support

Skills

Licensed California Architect

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Facilitation

Design leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field

Advanced degree in Architecture/Engineering/Urban Planning (preferred)

Job description

Director of Planning & Design - Associate Campus Architect

Merced, CA

Posted: 8/10/26 Deadline: 11/8/26 Salary: The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $155,000 - $200,000.

About This Organization

University of California Merced

Job Duties

• 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.

Required Qualifications

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 nowledge, Skills and Abilities – Position
• 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).

Salary

The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $155,000 - $200,000.