Director/Senior Director, Capital Projects & Facilities Planning and Operations, Penn Arts & Sciences

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director/Senior Director, Capital Projects & Facilities Planning and Operations, Penn Arts & Sciences

Job Profile Title

Director D, Facilities

Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, this leadership role will oversee the design and project management group in the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) Project Management that implements projects including small office renovations, new and replacement furniture spec and purchase, facilities infrastructure renewal, comprehensive suite upgrades, rental space updates, multi-million dollar lab renovations and new building construction

Additionally, the Senior Director SAS Facilities Planning & Operations of oversees all facilities operations, including maintenance, utilities coordination, safety, and continuity, across owned and leased assets, and directs and develops a multidisciplinary staff of 20+ across operations, planning, design, and project delivery.

Job Description

INTRO TO DEPARTMENT:

Penn Arts and Sciences (SAS) forms the foundation of the scholarly excellence that has established Penn as one of the world's leading research universities. We teach students across all 12 Penn schools, and our academic departments span the reach from anthropology and biology to sociology and South Asian studies.  Members of the Penn Arts & Sciences faculty are leaders in creating new knowledge in their disciplines and are engaged in nearly every area of interdisciplinary innovation. Penn Arts & Sciences educational divisions fulfill different missions, united by a broader commitment to providing our students with an unrivaled education in the liberal arts.

SAS Facilities Planning & Operations provides services in project coordination, building administration, and operational services to the various departments within the School of Arts and Sciences. The SAS Capital Project and Design Team implements projects including small office renovations, new and replacement furniture spec and purchase, facilities infrastructure renewal, comprehensive suite upgrades, multi-million dollar lab renovations, rental space updates and new building construction. SAS is currently implementing a multi-year capital program including projects up to $500M+ in individual project value.

DUTIES:

For Both Director C and Director D Levels:
Reporting directly to the Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, this leadership role will oversee the design and project management group in the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) Project Management that implements projects including small office renovations, new and replacement furniture spec and purchase, facilities infrastructure renewal, comprehensive suite upgrades, multi-million dollar lab renovations, rental space updates and new building construction.  This position will be responsible for establishing budgets, project initiation and track determination, design management, and implementation of various types and scales of capital and non-capital new construction, renovation, and furniture upgrade projects in SAS.  This position will work in partnership with the SAS Director of Facilities Operations to ensure a cohesive, collaborative and consistent approach to facilities management in SAS. This position will also work in partnership with FRES at various levels to ensure a cohesive, collaborative and consistent approach to facilities management in SAS.

Director will be responsible to work with the relevant partners at Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), clients in SAS, and other persons as needed to ensure that projects run on-time, on budget and with a high degree of professionalism. 

The Director will be responsible for managing, improving, and documenting all internal processes and procedures associated with the implementation of capital and non-capital projects in SAS FPO and ensuring that sustainability goals are incorporated into each project.  The position and associated staff serve to partner with, manage expectations of, and represent the clients (faculty, staff, students, SAS) on each project assigned.  The Director will also be responsible for all furniture projects and ensure new and replacement furniture requests are processed appropriately.   The Director will be responsible for implementing space coordination processes and will lead, in close partnership with the Vice Dean, overall space planning efforts for SAS.    

For the Senior Director of Facilities Planning & Operations (Director D Level):

The Senior Director oversees facilities operations, including maintenance, utilities coordination, safety, and continuity, across owned and leased assets, and directs and develops a multidisciplinary staff of 20+ across operations, planning, design, and project delivery.

The position serves as the primary liaison to academic and central leadership, advising on capital priorities, infrastructure risk, and long-term asset strategy, and is responsible for preparing and presenting capital investment analyses and project updates to senior leadership in support of institutional governance. The Senior Director coordinates with external partners, including consultants, regulators, and local agencies, to support project delivery and compliance, and integrates sustainability, energy efficiency, and resilience strategies into capital planning and facilities operations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Director of Capital Projects (Director C Level):

• BA/BS required, Master's degree preferred. Education related to Architecture, Construction Management, Design, or related field required plus 7-10 years of experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

• Experience leading capital projects required. Preferred experience in research laboratory design and/or MEP within an academic environment.  Extensive experience collaborating with Facilities Division of large organization and other campus partners would be ideal.

• Demonstrated project management and organization skills with the ability to think high-level and execute on the details. Proven ability to exercise good judgment, take initiative, and make independent decisions. Strong planning and organizational capabilities along with problem solving skills are required.

• Ability to work with and communicate effectively at all levels within the organization from senior management to technicians.

• Ability to move multiple projects forward at the same time while remaining on point with the school's mission

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and resolve issues/emergencies. 

• Available during non-traditional work hours including evenings/nights and weekends.

• This position requires on-campus presence at least 75% of the time.

• The position involves frequent walking, including walking for extended periods of time indoors or outdoors. 

For the Senior Director of Facilities Planning & Operations (Director D Level):  

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's degree and 7-10 years of management, business and/or academic experience preferred.

• Strong management & leadership skills and experience required. Candidates must have experience in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, leading teams, and developing organization-wide strategies.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$135,327.00 - $150,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay