Executive Director of Planning

About the role

The Director of Planning is a leader within the Vanderbilt University Real Estate, Facilities and Development division. They focus on developing and implementing campus master plans, supervising a team of planners, and serving as a liaison between the city and the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Campus Master Plan and other master plans including accessibility, mobility and transportation; landscape; and sub-unit school, college, and division facility master plans.
• Collaborate with the Chief Facilities Officer (CFO) and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Real Estate (AVC) to lead in the development and implementation of the Campus Master Plan.
• Assist the CFO and AVC with utilities, infrastructure, capital, and third-party developer planning efforts.
• Conceptualize campus program needs into practical near and long-term planning options, including expansion campuses outside of Tennessee.
• Lead collaboration efforts with members of the Facilities, Real Estate, and Vice Chancellor teams to devise creative solutions to utilize space more efficiently.
• Serve as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders to maintain strategic business relationships that foster development objectives.
• Work closely with local government officials, VU Community and Government relations, General Counsel, Facilities and Real Estate, to lead the process for obtaining approvals for and documenting easements, rights of way and road abandonments as needs arise.
• Develop, execute, and utilize strategic planning analysis and research to determine long-term institutional needs and develop sustainable solutions.
• Develop operating policies and procedures to comply with facilities planning regulations, best practices, and institutional objectives.
• Support and communicate the roll-out of new systems and tools for planning, in collaboration with other departments as needed.
• Coordinate closely with Finance to develop plans within budget, ranging from renewal and renovation projects through new construction.
• Oversee tracking and maintenance of portfolio data, metrics, and outcomes to assess program impact and ensure achievement of goals.
• Serve as the custodian of the University's institutional knowledge concerning campus planning and the historical evolution of campus development.
• Facilitate and direct the development and implementation of the Five-Year Capital Plan planning and delivery process.
• Responsible for leading efforts to increase accessibility and promoting ADA standards for accessible design.
• Create and deliver information to University leadership and external partners.
• Develop and present scenarios to help inform decisions regarding campus space use.
• Support the development of individual team members to ensure continuous improvement and development.
• Lead and motivate diverse teams directly or indirectly in the reporting structure.
• Develop clear expectations and timelines to drive performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and professional experience in Architecture, Urban Planning, Space Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, or a closely related field is required.
• Master's degree from an accredited University in a related discipline is preferred.
• 8+ years of experience leading teams is required.

Qualifications

• Private sector experience is preferred.
• Ability to solve space and campus planning issues, understand urban planning context and collaborate as a team.
• Knowledge of campus planning.
• Skills in strategic planning.
• Familiarity with best practices in signage and wayfinding.
• Knowledge of universal design principles, sustainability, and ADA compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead conversations and initiatives related to accessibility standards.
• Ability to communicate in written, verbal, and graphic form, with faculty, staff, and student community, as well as internal technical staff, external consultants, and senior administration.
• Comfort and ability to switch between competing tasks and priorities.
• Experience and comfort in working in a fast-paced environment and managing projects with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.