Director of Planning, Design & Construction

The California State University; Pomona, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University seeks a Director of Planning, Design & Construction to lead capital project design and construction management for Cal Poly Pomona. The role directs architects, engineers, and contractors across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility through occupancy, ensuring scope, budgets, and schedules align with campus priorities.

You will coordinate with campus partners, manage budgets and procurement, and provide executive-level advisory support on capital planning

Qualifications

• Lead capital project design and construction initiatives across campus.
• Develop and monitor project scope, budgets, schedules, and quality standards.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Plans, manages, and oversees the delivery of campus major and minor capital projects through full lifecycle (pre-design to closeout).
• Establishes and manages scope, budgets, milestones, and performance requirements.
• Directs work of architects, engineers, construction managers, consultants, inspectors, and contractors.
• Oversees preparation and review of design documents, cost estimates, and construction deliverables.
• Monitors project performance and resolves issues related to scope, budget, schedule, and stakeholder requirements.
• Leads campus planning, space planning, and project development coordination.
• Provides design and delivery expertise during early development and feasibility studies.
• Facilitates transition of projects from planning into design and construction.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Contract administration

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Design & construction

Job description

Director of Planning, Design & Construction

Job no: 562620
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Pomona
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time

Recruitment Close Date: October 23, 2026

THE DEPARTMENT:

Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) provides leadership and stewardship for the planning, development, operation, renewal, and maintenance of Cal Poly Pomona’s natural and built environments in support of the University’s academic and institutional mission. FP&M plans, designs, constructs, maintains, and improves campus buildings, infrastructure, transportation systems, landscapes, utilities, and other physical assets to ensure facilities are safe, functional, sustainable, accessible, and responsive to current and long-term campus needs. Through coordinated capital planning, design and construction, facilities operations, maintenance, infrastructure renewal, and sustainability initiatives, FP&M works collaboratively with campus partners, auxiliary organizations, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to deliver projects and services that meet approved scope, budget, schedule, operational, regulatory, and quality requirements. The department also supports long‑term stewardship of University assets by addressing facility renewal, deferred maintenance, energy and utility management, and evolving campus priorities. FP&M is comprised of approximately 150 facilities professionals representing a broad range of technical, professional, administrative, and skilled‑trade disciplines. The department includes architects, engineers, planners, project managers, accountants, administrative professionals, landscape architects, technology staff, custodians, and building and mechanical trades, including carpenters, plumbers, locksmiths, painters, and electricians. FP&M also provides facilities operations and maintenance services, including custodial services, landscaping, recycling, building and mechanical trades, energy and utility management, and fleet and automotive services. FP&M’s culturally diverse and multilingual workforce reflects the Cal Poly Pomona community and includes employees who are current students as well as University alumni. Through collaboration, technical expertise, customer service, and a commitment to continuous improvement, FP&M works to preserve and enhance the University’s physical assets, distinctive character, and natural environment while supporting a high‑quality campus experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Capital Project Design & Construction Management

• Plans, manages, and oversees the delivery of campus major and minor capital projects, public works projects, facility renewal and improvement projects, infrastructure improvements, modernization, renovation, and other assigned facilities projects through the full project lifecycle, including pre‑design coordination, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout.
• Establishes and manages project scope, budgets, schedules, delivery methods, milestones, quality standards, and performance requirements appropriate to project size, complexity, risk, and funding source.
• Directs and coordinates the work of architects, engineers, construction managers, consultants, inspectors, contractors, and other service providers.
• Oversees preparation and review of design documents, specifications, cost estimates, construction documents, and other project deliverables.
• Monitors project performance and resolves issues related to scope, budget, schedule, quality, constructability, campus operations, and stakeholder requirements.

Capital Planning, Programming & Project Development Coordination

• Leads assigned campus planning, programming, space planning, and project development activities within delegated authority.
• Coordinates with the Senior Associate Vice President, campus partners, and other planning stakeholders during feasibility, capital planning, project prioritization, and funding phases to support projects consistent with the Campus Master Plan, University priorities, facility needs, and available resources.
• Provides design, construction, cost, schedule, constructability, and project‑delivery expertise during early project development. Participates in the preparation and review of project programs, feasibility studies, cost models, funding requests, and other capital planning documentation.
• Facilitates the transition of authorized and funded projects from planning into design and construction and assumes project‑delivery leadership through completion and occupancy.

Procurement, Contract Administration & Regulatory Compliance

• Develops, coordinates, and administers procurement and contracting activities supporting design and construction projects, including RFQs, RFPs, professional services agreements, public works bidding, construction contracts, and other CSU‑authorized project delivery methods. Oversees consultant and contractor selection, scope and fee negotiations, contract amendments, change orders, schedules, deliverables, and performance requirements.
• Coordinates design reviews, constructability reviews, plan review, permitting, inspection, and required agency approvals.
• Ensures projects comply with applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, fire and life‑safety standards, environmental requirements, California Public Contract Code, CSU policies and procedures, and University standards.

Project Budgeting, Controls & Financial Accountability

• Develops and maintains effective financial and project controls for the Design & Construction program and assigned projects. Oversees project budgets, cost estimates, commitments, expenditures, forecasts, contingencies, cash flow, progress payments, and change management.
• Evaluates financial and schedule performance, identifies emerging risks and potential impacts, and develops corrective strategies to maintain approved project objectives.
• Ensures accurate and timely reporting of project scope, budget, schedule, funding, risk, and performance information and promotes responsible stewardship of University resources.

Executive Advising, Campus Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provides design, construction, project‑delivery, budget, schedule, and regulatory expertise to University leadership and campus stakeholders. Prepares and presents project reports, analyses, recommendations, status updates, and decision items concerning project scope, budget, schedule, risks, impacts, and emerging issues.
• Maintains collaborative and consultative working relationships with campus leadership, academic and administrative units, auxiliary organizations, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other external partners.
• Facilitates communication regarding construction activities and campus impacts and supports informed and timely decision‑making.

Personnel Leadership & Organizational Management

• Selects, develops, supervises, and directs assigned Design & Construction personnel, including project managers, project coordinators, inspectors, and contracted staff.
• Establishes workload priorities, assignments, performance expectations, and accountability consistent with the University’s capital program and project‑delivery requirements.
• Evaluates employee performance, provides coaching and professional development, addresses performance and conduct concerns, and promotes a collaborative, service‑oriented culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Coordinates staff resources across the project portfolio to effectively respond to workload, project complexity, schedule requirements, and changing University priorities.

Management Accountability