Job Information
Western Washington University University Architect/Director, Planning and Development in Bellingham, Washington
University Architect/Director, Planning and Development
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/793/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=501769&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us) Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Business and Financial Affairs
Position TitleUniversity Architect/Director, Planning and Development
About the University
Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the DepartmentThe Facilities Development and Operations unit supportsWestern's mission (https://president.wwu.edu/mission-strategic-plan) , which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the PositionDirectly responsible for the overall leadership, administration, management, and coordination of the Capital Planning and Development programs which include capital planning, space management, and oversight of all design and construction activities for university projects. This position also serves as the University Architect.
The University Architect/Director (UA/D) works collaboratively with external and university constituents to lead, direct, and oversee activities associated with physical facility planning and development. The UA/D leads, directs, and manages a professional team of architects, engineers, planners, project managers, and public works construction project coordinators who are responsible for the design of all university projects and the design and construction oversight of all public works projects. The Director also serves as the University Architect.
The UA/D is responsible for all activities associated with physical planning including comprehensive plans for the campus’ built environment, land use plans, public works project budgets, space management plans, campus character, design and material standards, campus aesthetics, and environmental compliance. The UA/D must understand and actively support key sustainability issues including carbon footprint reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, zero waste, green building practices, alternative transportation, and associated initiatives, objectives, and goals.
This is an important leadership role in Facilities and Development & Operations (FDO). They are responsible for assuming department responsibilities and leading with a high level of ethics and integrity. The UA/D will support the university strategic plan, focus on team-building, and inspire team members to reach their potential, while also supporting and furthering efforts of inclusion and equity in all aspects of managing the university's design and construction program.
The UA/D must be able to work in concert with other FDO managers and directors in all aspects of the department and university goals. This may require regular collaboration and communication with managers and directors in reviewing work plans, regular reporting to department leadership, executives, and/or the Board of Trustees, and making educated recommendations to any plans, budgets, or project scope. The UA/D will be expected to seek out solutions, be competent in problem solving, and be capable of facilitating consensus efforts.
Job Duties
45% - University Architect – Design and Construction Management
Responsible for all university proposed physical development (including sculpture) to ensure conformance with the University’s l Comprehensive Plan, university character, planning policies, siting, design guidelines, and program design criteria.
Oversees a broad portfolio of capital improvements including new construction, renovation, deferred maintenance, and capital renewal.
Determines labor resource assignments based on staff skill/expertise requirements, project priorities, schedule requirements, and resource availability.
Oversees the negotiation of multi-million-dollar consultant agreements.
Monitors progress of projects, ensuring compliance with plans, specifications, schedule, tracking and controlling cost against the approved budget. Ensures efficient management of project budgets. Analyzes detailed cost estimates and progress reports.
Manages the project portfolio with project stakeholders, university representatives, architects, engineers, general contractors, special consultants, and local, state, and federal agencies having jurisdiction.
Ensures a robust inspection program. Ensures required inspections and testing for all projects are fully implemented. Resolves deficiencies as needed.
Conducts post project assessments for all projects to determine overall project performance in relationship to objectives, budget, schedule, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Works with legal counsel to analyze contractor’s claims; develops university response, negotiates settlements, and recommends action for resolution.
20% - Project Planning and Public Works Oversight
Acts as a key university representative for the assigned area of work and initiates and maintains relationships with the City of Bellingham, WWU departments, and project stakeholders across the university to establish trust and transparency in the implementation of our project portfolio.
In consultation with the Director of Capital Budget and Public Works Procurement, determines the most appropriate deliver method for all public works projects and develops and recommends alternative solutions to ensure prioritized projects are resourced appropriately.
Establishes priorities for project resource assignments and ensures delivery of services. Re-assigns resources as necessary to achieve priorities.
Oversees project management and delivery of all planning and public works projects and design for smaller work performed by in-house trades.
Oversees the implementation and monitoring of all public works projects.
Monitors federal, state, and local requirements associated with public works projects.
Provides leadership and negotiates public works contract conflicts.
Responsible for implementation of assigned project feasibility and conceptual studies.
15% - Budget
Administers Planning and Development operating and self-sustaining budgets and resources including forecasting, developing, and monitoring budgets.
Advises regarding the university’s capital budget and institutional capital program priorities for the development and implementation of major and minor capital projects.
Assists with decision making of the university’s Capital Budget Request and Ten-Year Capital Plan.
20% - Organizational Leadership
Creates a workplace environment that motivates, inspires, and engages staff, and promotes diversity and environmental sustainability.
Strategically plans for, sets, and monitors accomplishment of goals, objectives, and priorities. Provides reports on performance, including performance metrics, for transparency, accountability, and decision-making.
Oversees personnel management and administration including hiring, onboarding, training, retention, corrective and/or disciplinary action, and resolution of issues while working closely with Human Resources.
In partnership with others, develops and implements employee engagement initiatives to improve job satisfaction, inspire performance, and enable individual and team success and excellence.
Instills strong management practices and customer approach among direct reports while creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse work environment.
Establishes performance requirements and personal development goals for direct reports including monitoring performance and coaching for improvement and development.
Demonstrates a high level of delegation ability and models a high standard of ethics and trust throughout the workforce.
Required Qualifications
Must be a State of Washington licensed architect or a licensed architect with the ability to become licensed in the State of Washington within six months of start of employment.
Must have at least six years of architectural experience in a project architect or design architect role.
Must have at least three years of experience in a team supervisor role.
Demonstrated financial and management experience leading and overseeing project management teams responsible for the design and construction of large-scale, complex projects.
Working knowledge of space planning and management, university planning, transportation planning, graphic design, landscape architecture, project value engineering, and construction.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to form and deliver a persuasive line of reasoning.
Knowledge and experience with public works procurement, including alternate project delivery methods.
Preferred Qualifications
Fellow in the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) or equivalent from other countries.
Experience as a campus/university architect.
Experience with supervision of internal teams (not external contractors/consultants).
Experience working as a project architect/manager in a higher education institution.
Understanding of the local and national construction market with alternate project delivery methods
Conditions of EmploymentAll employees must comply with our Immunization policies, includingProof of Rubeola Measles Immunity (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1300.01-Requiring-Proof-Of-Rubeola-Measles-Immunity) within 60-days of hire. Please reach out toHR@wwu.eduif you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary $135,898 - $156,282. Through longevity this position tops out at $176,667.
Benefits Information
Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position (https://hr.wwu.edu/files/2022-01/Benefits%20-%20Professional%20Staff.pdf) .
Application Instructions
Application materials should include:
Letter of interest that addresses how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements.
Resume or curriculum vitae.
Diversity statement. Western’s strategic plan places Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) as a core value and a core goal of the institution. Please address what role the University Architect/Director has in advancing ADEI. In addition, please share an example of how your work has advanced ADEI at a previous institution or workplace.
Five professional references (references will not be contacted without prior permission from the applicant).
Closing Date NotesThis search is being assisted by Another Source. Please apply via their website: University Architect Director in Bellingham, Washington | Careers at Bellingham, WA 98225 (icims.com)
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1600.02-Ensuring-Equal-Opportunity-and-Prohibiting-Discrimination-and-Retaliation) . Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu
WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services (https://wp.wwu.edu/hr/2015/09/02/i-need-a-workplace-accommodation/) , 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services atvpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at:Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (https://vpess.wwu.edu/files/docs/ASRCleryreport.pdf) .
All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes asexual misconduct background check (https://hr.wwu.edu/sexual-misconduct-background-checks) .
Job no: 501769
Advertised: May 16 2024 09:00 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Jun 14 2024 23:55 Pacific Daylight Time