Senior Director, Capital Planning & Construction - San Jose State University

At a glance

We're hiring: Senior Director, Capital Planning and Construction | San José State University

 

Another Source is partnering with San José State University (SJSU) to recruit a Senior Director, Capital Planning and Construction to join its Facilities Development & Operations team.

 

This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to lead a diverse portfolio of construction projects, from smaller renovations and deferred maintenance to major capital improvements and new construction. The variety and scale of projects provide an opportunity to make a lasting impact on campus facilities and the student experience.

 

A few highlights:

• Oversee a mix of small and large capital projects, including projects exceeding $10M.
• Lead and develop a team of eight project management professionals.Collaborate with university leadership on campus improvements and long-term capital planning.
• Help shape project delivery practices and improve how campus facilities support students, faculty, and staff.

 

We're looking for experienced construction and capital project leaders who bring strong project delivery, team leadership, and stakeholder management experience. Higher education experience is not required. We're open to leaders from the private sector, technology campuses, laboratories, and other complex construction environments.

 

If you're ready to lead a wide variety of projects, shape the future of a university campus, and see the direct impact of your work on the student experience, apply today!

Description: What you'll be doing

 

Another Source's client, San José State University (SJSU), is recruiting a Senior Director, Capital Planning and Construction to join their Facilities Development & Operations team in San José, California. This is a newly created leadership opportunity to help shape the future of campus development at one of California's leading public universities.  Internally, this position is titled: Senior Director, Project Programming 

 

Here's a little about San José State University: 

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San José State University is part of the 23-campus California State University system. As a major public university in one of the nation's most dynamic regions, SJSU plays an important role in educating future leaders, supporting innovation, and connecting students with opportunities across industries. 

 

Behind that mission is a substantial and complex physical campus. SJSU's Facilities Development & Operations (FD&O) division supports a university environment spanning more than 170 acres, 52 buildings, and over 6 million gross square feet across five sites. From new construction and infrastructure improvements to the modernization of existing facilities, the work of FD&O directly influences how students learn, faculty teach, and the broader campus community experiences the university. 

 

Learn more about SJSU: https://www.sjsu.edu/ 

 

About this role: 

This newly created Senior Director position offers an opportunity to influence the long-term development of SJSU's campus while leading a team responsible for delivering complex capital construction and infrastructure projects. 

 

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President of Facilities Development & Operations, the Senior Director will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for Project Programming, overseeing projects from initial planning and feasibility through design, construction, commissioning, and closeout. 

 

This is a highly visible leadership position with responsibility for projects exceeding $10 million, university-wide capital planning, and the development of standards that guide how campus projects are delivered. The Senior Director will oversee a team of eight senior and design/construction project managers, working closely with university leadership, architects, engineers, contractors, and public agencies. 

 

For a leader who enjoys balancing big-picture strategy with hands-on project execution, this role offers the opportunity to build a strong team, strengthen project delivery practices, and make a lasting impact on the university's built environment. 

 

How you will spend your time 

Project Management & Delivery (50%) 

• Lead a portfolio of capital construction, renovation, infrastructure, and repair projects, ensuring alignment with university priorities, budgets, schedules, and quality standards. 

• Provide oversight for all phases of major construction projects exceeding $10 million, from design and procurement through construction, commissioning, and closeout. 

• Establish project management standards, performance expectations, and consistent processes that strengthen accountability and delivery. 

• Oversee project budgets, cost estimates, schedules, contracts, change orders, and risk mitigation strategies. 

• Partner with architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors to ensure projects meet design specifications, regulatory requirements, and campus expectations. 

• Direct construction inspections, testing, quality assurance, and project closeout activities while minimizing disruption to campus operations. 

• Provide project updates, financial reporting, and recommendations to senior university leadership and key stakeholders. 

Construction Management & Capital Planning (20%) 

• Help shape SJSU's physical future through leadership in annual capital planning, the five-year capital outlay program, and implementation of the university's physical master plan. 

• Guide capital projects through complex planning, approval, procurement, and construction processes while balancing cost, schedule, and quality. 

• Serve as a senior technical resource for new construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. 

• Collaborate with campus leaders to align facilities investments with academic priorities, operational needs, and long-term institutional goals. 

• Support strategic campus initiatives, capital campaigns, and potential public-private development opportunities. 

• Represent Facilities Development & Operations in meetings with university leadership, CSU Chancellor's Office representatives, public agencies, and external partners. 

Department Leadership & Operational Excellence (20%) 

• Set the strategic direction for Project Programming, aligning department goals, resources, and service delivery with university priorities. 

• Lead professional and technical staff responsible for campus construction planning and project execution. 

• Strengthen processes, policies, and operating practices to improve project outcomes, customer service, and operational efficiency. 

• Promote sustainability, safety, regulatory compliance, and responsible resource management throughout project planning and delivery. 

• Build collaborative relationships across campus departments and external organizations to support effective decision-making. 

• Champion continuous improvement, innovation, and the thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies. 

Team Development & Supervision (10%) 

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for a team of eight project management professionals. 

• Recruit, develop, and retain talented staff while building a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team culture. 

• Establish clear expectations, professional development goals, and performance standards. 

• Empower project managers to solve problems, navigate competing priorities, and deliver successful outcomes. 

 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a relevant technical field. 

• Typically 5–10 years of experience as a Project Manager, Program Manager, or in a comparable leadership role. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of construction project management, capital planning, budgeting, scheduling, and project delivery. 

• Experience managing complex construction or infrastructure projects through internal teams and external consultants. 

• Strong understanding of construction methods, architectural and engineering documents, public works practices, and applicable building codes and regulations. 

• Experience developing project budgets, monitoring expenditures, managing schedules, and addressing project risks. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop professional and technical teams. 

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple organizational levels. 

• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and lead projects through completion. 

• Proficiency with project management and business software, including tools such as Microsoft Project, Excel, and construction management systems. 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting capital planning, facilities, or construction programs within higher education, the public sector, or a similarly complex organization. 

• Experience managing multiple concurrent capital projects with responsibility for budgets, schedules, consultant and contractor coordination, and regulatory compliance. 

• Familiarity with California public works contracting requirements, CSU policies, and campus construction processes. 

• Experience contributing to long-range capital planning, master planning, or large-scale infrastructure improvement programs. 

• Demonstrated success improving project delivery processes and introducing technologies that enhance operational effectiveness. 

 

Compensation & Benefits 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $192,000–$215,256 annually. 

 

Why a career with CSU is for You: 

The CSU system offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf 

• Immerse yourself: Being on campus allows you to enjoy renowned sporting events, artist events, world-renowned speakers. Stroll through trails, museums, and enjoy all campus has to offer. 

• Tuition waiver: up to 2 courses, or 6 units, per semester for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner or eligible dependent child for any of the 23 campuses.  

• Mission driven culture: Transforming the lives of a diverse student body, including first-generation students and under-represented communities. 

• Jury duty: The CSU will continue an employee’s salary while they are on jury duty, regardless of length of jury service. 

• CalPERS Retirement Plan: CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement pension plan. Lifetime medical benefits for you, your spouse, or registered domestic partner. Learn more here: http://www.calpers.ca.gov/ 

• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan) 

• Employees in this classification are entitled to two vacation days (16 hours) per month. 

• A healthier you. Access to athletic and gym facilities on campus  

• Transportation support. Pre-tax commuter benefits 

  

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination:  

The California State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all CSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). 

 

Another Source works with their clients on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.    

 

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