Associate Director of Construction

The Associate Director of Construction is a new position responsible for directly leading large-scale capital construction project oversight for Vanderbilt University Facilities Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) office. This senior-most Construction Management Engineer will serve as a leader under the Director of Construction within PDC, specifically leading large Capital Project execution for Vanderbilt University (VU), regardless of location. They will provide construction project guidance and assistance to other PDC Directorates, VU Maintenance Operations, and Vanderbilt's Academic and Athletic Dean's offices. This position will routinely communicate (orally and in writing) with the other senior officials, including the Chief Facilities Officer, Vice Chancellors offices and the office of the Provost/ Academic Units. This position serves as the second senior construction leader within VU Facilities and reports directly to the Director of Construction.

The Associate Director of Construction will be responsible for leading and managing all large-scale capital construction projects for Vanderbilt University, striving to minimize disruptions to VU operations and personnel while maximizing financial efficiency. Total cost per project may range from $10M-$500M+.

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 bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday.

About the Work Unit:

Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) is a work unit of approximately 26 personnel supporting university faculty, staff, and students in small and large construction and renovation projects and is part of the Facilities Department. The projected VU construction program is estimated at nearly $2.6 billion across the next ten years, with approximately $1 billion currently in programming or design. PDC is responsible for planning, designing and executing new construction and renovation projects for VU. PDC will coordinate the design, bid, and management of all assigned projects in a safe, timely, and organized manner. They coordinate current and potential projects with all university stakeholders and act as a representative of the university to outside vendors and contractors to acquire adequate and competitive pricing.

Facilities' annual budget exceeds $100 million in operating expenses and includes over 500 employees. Facilities manages major capital project expenditures totaling ~$300 million annually and facility renewal, replacement and large maintenance project expenditures totaling ~$20 million annually.

Key Functions, Responsibilities and Expected Performance:

This position is primarily an on-campus position (estimated 75% on site, minimum), as walking the campus and monitoring assigned construction projects is expected. This position directly manages the largest projects in the Capital Plan as well as providing administrative and technical supervision over numerous employees, including direct supervision of VU Construction Managers, Construction Inspectors, and Construction Coordinators, to include technical oversight of contracted support staff. Specific responsibilities:

• The incumbent regularly evaluates workload and critical project priorities and deadlines and schedules and assigns manpower to accomplish all tasks assigned by higher authority.
• The incumbent evaluates work performance of subordinates, interviews candidates for subordinate positions, recommends hiring, promotion or reassignments, and takes corrective measures such as performance and accountability counseling, identifies developmental and training needs of employees, provides and/ or arrange for needed development and training.
• The incumbent may act as the hiring official for construction positions within PDC on behalf of the Director and provides guidance, counsel and instruction to subordinate employees on both technical and administrative matters. The incumbent reviews the quality of work products of assigned personnel and provides guidance to satisfy new or changing requirements including innovative techniques or reorientation of work.
• This position will promote team building and improve business practices, provide construction-engineering expertise in major engineering disciplines on large-scale capital projects, or those of an unusual, high-visibility or complex nature, acting as the construction and technical expert supporting all of Facilities and the remainder of VU for large-scale Capital Projects.
• The position leads assigned construction staff, designers and contractors on projects involving highly technical issues, construction practices, quality, safety, schedule, cost and changed conditions.
• Responsible for constructability reviews on all large-scale capital project contract plans (to include drawings and sketches) and designs, this position acts as the expert of technical/front-end specifications with authority not to award any contract found to have design or constructability defects that would result in improper contracting or result in an unsatisfactory end product.
• Constructability reviews include providing input on the independent VU cost estimate and design completion/ finalization as it relates to the construction cost and schedule for elements such as project phasing, laydown areas, and mark-ups on various contract vehicles.
• Resolves technical problems and conflicting plans and specifications on construction for VU construction staff, designers and contractors.
• Responsible for technical acceptability and quality approval of all large-scale construction managed by PDC.
• May act as the VU witness at claims or hearings requiring engineering and construction expertise.
• Advises the Director of Construction, PDC and Chief Facilities Officer on all large-scale capital construction project issues and remedies managed by the office for prominent or high visibility projects.
• During the absence of the Director of Construction, will act as the Director in all aspects except budget authority. Establishes effective management procedures for office and field administration with respect to large-scale capital projects. Directs the assigned engineers, architects, inspectors and contractors. Provides construction management, engineering and contract administration experience and expertise to VU Facilities and PDC.
• Ensures technical representation for all procurement and financial matters related to large-scale construction projects.
• Direct contact is necessary with high-ranking University leadership, local government personnel and elected officials.
• Directly responsible to the Director of Construction for carrying out the full range of office and field administrative and engineering functions, provides accurate workload (Work-in-Place) projections and provides monthly status of anticipated shortcomings of earned to target values.
• Assists in developing and executing PDC's annual budget for labor and support. Monitors and adjusts expenses to optimize operations and provide products and services. Ensures financial fund sources are appropriate and utilizes adequate internal controls to enable adequate project accounting and accountability for project funds.
• Identifies developmental, professional, and training needs of employees through coordination with staff and community managers.
• Frequently represents PDC at meetings with the Chancellor, CFO and Academic Units where decisions reached are final and commit VU to an established course of action.
• Makes recommendations for changes in the organizational structure of the team.
• Utilizes the various electronic applications to develop improved data management and consequently a reduction in operating costs, adhering to VU instructions, Policies, and Business Processes. Ensures use of eBuilder and Oracle reports for workload management, project status updates, and management of construction contract closeouts.

Construction Management (50%): The incumbent is responsible for enforcement of all technical and administrative provisions of assigned construction contracts. Specifically:

• The incumbent is required to execute duties in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, guidance, policy and procedures. The incumbent is further required to apply sound engineering principles and judgment throughout the performance of their duties.
• Review pre-final contract drawings and specifications with respect to constructability and compatibility with actual field conditions; participating in pre-award contract meetings; coordinating post-award contract meetings such as post-award kickoff meetings (as applicable), preconstruction conferences, (informal or formal) partnering meetings, schedule acceptance meeting, design review meetings (as applicable), LEED coordination meetings (as applicable), Facility Turnover Planning Meetings (Red Zone), and final inspections.
• Review and approval of contractor administrative submittals such as schedules (both bar charts and networks), environmental protection plan, design (as applicable) and construction quality control plan, health and safety plan, accident prevention plan; and coordinate review and approval of technical submittals such as shop drawings, product data, samples, design data, manufacturer's instructions, test plans/reports, certificates, and O&M data in a timely manner.
• Manage the contractor Requests for Information (RFIs) and ensure timely responses. Ensure effective communication and coordination between the project manager, design manager, contract specialist, the contractor, the project technical team, the client, and others as appropriate.
• The primary responsibility to drive capital projects post-award lies with the Construction Management Team Lead and their assigned CMEs.
• Possess an advanced and comprehensive level of understanding regarding construction schedules utilizing network analysis and the potential impact of modifications to the critical path. Provide guidance and assistance to less experienced personnel in the review/substantiation of contractor proposed schedule delays based upon submitted time impact analysis.
• Regularly visit construction sites to monitor progress and solicit input from the Construction Inspector, review CQC reports and attend QC and production meetings, by exception. Provide and brief project status updates to senior personnel within Facilities and VU leadership.

Procurement Support (20%): The incumbent also represents PDC as the technical representative in matters involving contract amendments, PCOs, CCDs and claims. Specifically:

• Issue or support the issuance of the contractor request for proposal. Ensures funds are reserved for the amendment prior to approval.
• Prior to negotiating, personally prepare or coordinate the preparation of an independent owner's estimate (IOE) when contractor entitlement exceeds $50,000.
• Provide technical support in preparation of both pre and post negotiation memoranda.
• Personally prepare or coordinate the preparation of sketches, drawings, and engineering details in support of negotiations and issuance of the amendment.
• After negotiation, prepare the final documentation and wording for the modification including justification for cost and time involved.

Supervisory (20%): This position is considered a Level 4 Project Manager with Supervisor responsibilities over the assigned team of VU construction management engineers and construction inspection personnel, as described above. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Construction within Planning, Design and Construction.

Other Duties and Responsibilities (10%): The incumbent is responsible for various other requirements such as mentoring less experienced personnel, proactively pursue completion of training required and continuing education requirements of his/her State's Professional Licensing board. Specifically requiring:

• Extensive experience and knowledge of advanced concepts, principles and practices in engineering/architecture which enables him/her to serve as an expert in the complex multiple engineering areas of consultation, design and construction. Independently apply this knowledge and experience to develop creative and technically sound solutions to problems not remedied by standard, pre-defined processes.
• A fundamental knowledge of computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, electronic mail, Internet, and database software is required. Must be literate and comfortable with performing most daily tasks through interactions in computer-based programs including VU-utilized applications such as, but not limited to, eBuilder, Oracle, and Primavera scheduling software.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or Architecture is required, with the following disciplines highly preferred: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Fire Protection, or Architecture.
• An advanced degree in Engineering or Architecture is highly preferred.
• The position requires the applicant is a registered professional engineer or architect.

Experience and Skills:

• 10 years of relevant construction management experience as the owner's representative is strongly preferred, with at least 2 years as a supervisor required.
• Proven background in leading large construction management programs (>$50M work in place value per year) is highly preferred.
• Experience constructing educational and laboratory facilities is preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in quality management in construction related projects is required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) skills are required.
• Ability to make effective oral and written presentations and briefings is required.
• Experience in producing completed staff work and in conducting effective meeting is required.
• Skilled negotiator capable of resolving project changes to minimize cost and schedule impacts required.
• Ability to guide, motivate, and coordinate the work of professionals in an organization is required.
• Skilled in utilizing effective, constructive, employee and team feedback to improve performance, and knowledge of group dynamics, project and program management tools.
• Experience with the following Software: Microsoft Office Suite, eBuilder Project Management, AutoCAD 2018 and Adobe Acrobat Suite.
• Walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, working from heights, and crawling into tight spaces for long periods of time is required.