Campus Planner

The Campus Planner (“CP”) is a professional of the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) team within the Facilities Department responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of the comprehensive masterplan of Vanderbilt’s campus. The CP will provide strategic guidance within PDC to ensure projects are in alignment with institutional strategic goals, optimize space utilization and resources, are coordinated and phased appropriately, and meet the long-term physical development vision of the campus. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to diversity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.
 

The CP will be responsible for updating, maintaining and executing the campus masterplan as well as providing oversight and coordination for ongoing and future capital projects. The CP will oversee the review of capital projects to ensure coordination and alignment on PDC’s efforts. The ideal candidate will excel at stakeholder engagement to gather needs for near-term and long term-plans for academic, research, athletics, and all campus partners.
 

Reporting directly to the Director of Planning and Programming, the CP will manage multiple assignments and projects and should possess the ability to work with minimal direction and yet in a team environment in Planning, Design and Construction within the Facilities at Vanderbilt University.

About Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt is a renowned private institution founded in 1873 located a little more than a mile from downtown Nashville, TN. The university’s students, faculty, staff and visitors frequently cite Nashville as one of the perks of Vanderbilt. VU is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday.
 

About the Work Unit:
Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) supports university faculty, staff, and students in executing all construction and renovation projects and is part of the Facilities Department. PDC is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating activities related to completing new construction and renovation projects on behalf of Vanderbilt. PDC will coordinate the programming, design, bid, and management of the project in a safe, timely, and organized manner. They coordinate current and potential projects with all university stakeholders. PDC acts as a representative of the university to outside vendors/contractors to acquire adequate and competitive pricing. They are also responsible for preparing quotes for university events that require the use of academic and administrative facilities, athletics facilities, and campus grounds. There is minimal travel by members of PDC.
Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific
role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on
organizational and operational needs.

Position Description
Facilities annual budget exceeds $100 million in operating expenses and includes over 500 employees. Facilities, working with university leadership, is charged with the responsibility of managing planning efforts for the delivery of over $1 billion of campus projects and initiative over the next decade. Facilities manages major capital project expenditures totaling ~$300 million annually and facility renewal, replacement and large maintenance project expenditures totaling ~$25 million annually. Currently, CPC manages over $1B annually in projects in design and construction.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Updating Vanderbilt University’s Master Plan
• Lead, manage and provide guidance in the current comprehensive master plan update and serve as the main point of contact from the University for external consultants
• Ability to facilitate working groups to bring consensus concepts and ideas with key university constituents and professional consultants
• Ability to understand the attributes of Vanderbilt University’s values and convey how it informs planning and architectural solutions
• Evaluate/perform planning options for space use
• Perform and/or participate in site evaluations for specified purposes
• Oversee the integration of GIS-based planning tools to enhance accessibility and functionality
• Conduct periodic master plan updates and recommend adjustments based on institutional needs
On-Going Master Plan Preservation
• Participate in the project review process for capital projects to ensure coordination across planning scales
• Align ongoing precinct plans with the broader master plan to ensure consistency and integration
• Review or assist in development of program for space needs with users/clients
• Develop options/concept designs on some projects to assist client in determining program options
• Collaborate with campus partners to understand future requirements and space needs to anticipate solutions and guide planning efforts
Communications with University Community
• Ability to clearly and concisely present key campus planning concepts and ideas with key university constituents, professional consultants, and university stakeholders both written and verbal formats
• Maintains communications with the University community regarding project scope, budget and schedules
• Maintains planning governance through Steering or Executive meetings and upward communication to leadership as required
• Coordinate with stakeholders such as Real Estate, Mobility and Transportation, Maintenance and Operations, VUIT, Sustainability, AED and University Landscape Architect to ensure strategic alignment
 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Planning and Programming which is a part of Planning, Design & Construction.
Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on
organizational and operational needs.

Education and Certifications:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education, relevant military experience, and relevant skills is necessary.
• A degree in Planning, Urban Planning, Architecture, or Landscape Architecture is strongly preferred.
• A Planning Certification or Registered Professional Architect is preferred.
 

Qualifications:
• At least 5 years of relevant experience is required, 8 years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Experience in a higher education institutional setting is preferred.
• Proven background in project management is recommended.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, space utilization, scenario building, and stakeholder engagement is required.
• Experience with the following Software: GIS, Microsoft Office Suite, eBuilder Project Management, AutoCAD 2018 and Adobe Acrobat Suite is recommended.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) skills are strongly preferred.
• Ability to provide solutions in a high-volume environment, ability to remain calm and objective throughout stressful and difficult situations is required.
• Experience with BIM, LEED, WELL and Living Buildings; knowledge of facilities, design and construction industry is preferred.

Salary : $25 - $300