Director, Design & Construction

Description

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The Director of Design and Construction is a division leader within the Facilities Planning and Operations (FPO) department, responsible for overseeing the university’s capital design and construction projects. This role provides strategic direction and oversight to the team of project managers, ensuring successful planning, execution, and completion of multiple construction and renovation projects across campus. The Director is charged with enhancing project delivery by evaluating and streamlining project management procedures, improving communication with stakeholders, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with budgetary, regulatory, and university standards.

Examples of Duties

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Project Delivery, Leadership, and Financial Oversight (60%)

• Provide daily oversight of the planning, design, execution, and closeout of multiple capital construction and renovation projects across campus.
  
• Give strategic direction to the project management team, ensuring high-quality delivery of projects that meet scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
  
• Serve as a liaison for project managers, communicating progress, performance metrics, risks, and issues to the Associate VP.
  
• Mentor, develop, and support project managers, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.
  
• Allocate resources effectively across projects and teams to ensure organizational efficiency and workload balance.
  
• Oversee project budgets, monitor expenditures, approve financial transactions, and ensure adherence to financial targets in collaboration with the deparment�s budget office and stakeholders.
  
• Prepare and present detailed project and financial performance reports to senior leadership, offering insights for decision-making and future planning
  
• Ensure all construction activities comply with university policies, safety regulations, and industry standards.
  

Process Improvement and Strategic Planning (20%)* Evaluate and implement improved project management processes, tools, and methodologies.

• Identify inefficiencies and develop strategies for continuous improvement to increase project success rates.
  
• Lead initiatives that promote innovation, risk mitigation, and operational excellence within the project management function.
  
• Assist in master plan adherence, development and enhancements
  
• Assist in deferred maintenance assessments, strategic planning initiatives & comprehensive campus and space planning related to building use, development, renovation and replacement.
  

Risk and Compliance Management (10%)* Proactively identify, assess, and address project risks to minimize potential disruptions.

• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure project continuity and compliance.
  
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, and university standards to ensure full project compliance.
  

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication (10%)* Build and maintain strong relationships with university departments, leadership, consultants, and contractors

• Ensure effective, consistent communication throughout the project lifecycle to maintain stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
  

Typical Qualifications

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Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, or related field required.

Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:* Minimum of 6 years of project management experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.

• Demonstrated success in managing multiple, large-scale, complex construction projects.
  

Experience with process improvement, change management, and team leadership.

• Experience may be substituted for education based on the following: AA = 2 years experience; BA/BS = 4 years experience; MA/MS = 6 years experience; PhD = 8 years experience
  

Licenses and Certifications:

Licensed architect or engineer preferred.

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project management certification strongly preferred.

Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications are a plus.

Working Hours and Days:

Monday - Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

Supplemental Information

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Supervisory Responsibilities:

Direct supervision of project managers and support staff within the Design and Construction team.

Skills and Competencies:* Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Strong analytical and organizational capabilities.
  
• Proficiency with enterprise-level project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, etc.)
  
• Familiarity with contract management, procurement, and compliance requirements.
  

Special Instructions:

Full-time benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veteran status, and people with disabilities.

Our faculty and staff are the university’s most valuable asset, and our goal is to provide a robust Total Rewards Program designed to help them maintain a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

Highlights from UCM's total rewards package for full-time employees include:

• 30.25% (staff) and 6% (faculty) defined retirement contribution, paid by the university;
  
• Voluntary Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) programs (403(b) and 457(b)) that allow eligible employees to make additional pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan;
  
• Employees can earn up to full tuition (15 credit hours) for themselves per academic year. Full-time employees are also eligible for up to $175 towards non-credit courses each fiscal year. Employees can earn up to full tuition for their dependents;
  
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans that begin on the first of the month following your date of hire. Basic dental and vision insurance paid at 100% by the university;
  
• Available Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts;
  
• University-paid basic life insurance (including accidental death and dismemberment) and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage;
  
• Generous leave accruals that begin accruing on your start date, plus 14 paid holidays per year.
  
• The UCM Childcare Center on the Warrensburg campus can provide faculty, staff, and students quality care for their children ages six weeks to 10 years.
  
• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is free for all employees and is located on the Warrensburg campus.
  
• An Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees and their immediate family members to help assist with personal challenges you may face in your daily life;
  
• UCM offers an Employee Discount Program through Working Advantage.
  

To learn more about the wonderful benefits available as a University of Central Missouri employee, visit our benefits page!