Director of Capital Projects/Owner’s Representative

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Located in the heart of the nation’s second-fastest-growing metropolitan area, Queens University of Charlotte leverages the city’s diverse and thriving environment as an extended classroom. Nationally recognized for undergraduate programs in international and interdisciplinary education, Queens blends the best of liberal arts learning with professional preparation and community engagement. Focused on supporting success for diverse learners, faculty build close and collaborative relationships with students and help them build intentional and individualized roadmaps for flourishing at Queens and beyond. At the graduate program level, the University offers innovative educational experiences that help learners advance professionally and retool for new opportunities. Our environs afford faculty myriad opportunities to advance their own professional growth and teaching and research interests by collaborating with vibrant industry, non-profit, and community organization sectors.

Because of our history of innovation and our legacy of strong leadership, Queens is positioned to be among the new forerunners of American higher education. This is a defining moment for Queens. While other institutions are focused on sustaining and surviving, we are thinking much bigger. Institutions that understand what is needed and are willing to reimagine what is possible can position themselves to thrive and strengthen their market position after the pandemic with innovative approaches that are deeply connected to the world and its greatest challenges.

By 2030, Queens aspires to become the leading, private, national university of Charlotte with deep, meaningful, and reciprocal connections to the needs of our local community and economy; inventive and multidisciplinary academic programs that are connected to the world’s most pressing challenges and biggest areas of opportunity; a fully connected, integrated, and innovative set of experiences that support holistic wellness and wellbeing; a culture of continuous improvement and investment that enables faculty and staff to flourish and achieve their full potential; and a comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that begins on campus and radiates throughout the community.

Job summary:
The Director of Capital Projects/Owner’s Representative is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing on capital projects, renovations, and new construction on behalf of the university. The position will assist with managing the development, design, and construction phases of capital projects. The position will provide the university with professional, technical, and onsite management, giving the university an advocate and resource to facilitate the oversight of the projects. This position will be in regular communication with a diverse set of stakeholders, externally and internally.

Queens will be pursuing multiple capital projects in the coming months that this position will lead and serve as the key project manager/owner’s representative for the work. For example, currently, the university is exploring the possibility of reimagining Everett Library as a 21st-century information hub that cultivates a dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to learning and scholarship that is central to the intellectual, social, and creative life on campus. In addition, the university is embarking on a decentralization of the existing central steam plant as well as significant renovations to the existing residential halls. This full-time, benefits-eligible position reports to the CFO/VP of Administration. This position is exempt from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible to earn overtime pay or compensatory time off for additional hours worked.

Responsibilities:
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees construction of new facilities and renovations of existing facilities. Assists the university with the identification of the scope of work, budget, and schedule of capital projects
• Holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring that projects are completed in a timely manner in strict accordance with plans, specifications, local codes, budget, high quality of standards, and within schedule constraints
• Serves as key representative for the university on all assigned projects. Coordinates and oversees the work of the project team, including external and internal team members
• Manages project and contract administration to ensure that all contract, permit, and legal requirements are met including schedule, document control, change order/claims management, daily reports/diaries, as-built documents, submittals, and weekly project meetings
• Manages all financial aspects of the project including prompt, accurate and timely pay estimates. Works collaboratively with Finance Office to ensure accounting records for projects are accurate
• Keeps CFO and leadership regularly well-informed of project work, including completing management reporting as needed; advises CFO and senior leadership of potential problems, work interferences, schedule difficulties, etc. and leads the efforts to resolve such problems when encountered. Supports university’s leadership team by providing project information and inputs to the decision-making processes
• Assists with development of preliminary project programs, budgets, schedules, and selection of a project delivery method. Assists in selection of design professional(s)/team, construction contractors, and other owner-consultants (Geotechnical Services, Special Inspections and Testing Services, Commissioning Services, etc.) through Request for Proposal (RFP) processes
• Assists in negotiations of terms and conditions of contracts, performs contract administration and enforcement
• Reviews design drawings and specifications for accuracy and compliance with program and budget through all phases of the design
• Serves as on-site point of contact for the university; represents the university in construction progress meetings, onsite inspections of construction for quality control and progress of construction schedule. Maintains official project files. Develops and maintains positive business relationships with project teams including general contractors, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and/or other associates of the project
• Administers project closeout, acceptance testing/inspections, commissioning, training, start-up, substantial completion acceptance, punch list, warranties, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals
• Collaborates with the general contractor and coordinates with local construction market to determine capabilities, capacity and skills requirements for project scope and complexity. Ensures all vendors are vetted to be at minimum reliable, insured, cost-effective, and capable of performing high-quality work for the university
• Assists with review of building codes requirements and advises on cost impact and suitable alternatives
• Works closely with the university’s third-party service provider (maintenance, janitorial, and grounds) on capital projects to ensure provider has received training on facility operations and maintenance, an understanding of warranty procedures, has a clear understanding of safety systems and facility access and to establish routing cleaning and maintenance schedules
• Creates scope and standardization of options of interiors across buildings
• Assists in space/utilization planning with various campus groups. Manages the move/relocation process of faculty and staff and coordinates tenant improvement projects from start to finish including painting, carpeting and general maintenance improvements. Reviews and provides input to the campus master plan, including proper use of square footage and oversight of floor-area-ratio and management of greenspace/open space requirements
• Provides recommendations regarding completing renovation work in-house or with the assistance of contractors, providing oversight of renovation work and assisting with the procurement/ purchase of new equipment and renovations
• Manages depository of surplus furnishings that is cataloged and can be easily deployed as needed
• Manages a strategic deferred maintenance schedule and its associated yearly budget, including a prioritized list of repair and renovation needs both short-term and long-term
• Responds to all facility/capital project-related complaints and customer service issues in a professional and timely manner. Works to minimize recurring issues.
• Serves as primary liaison with city and county regarding the Sports Complex facility partnership
• Responds to afterhours emergencies as needed
• Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department or university needs

Experience, knowledge and skills required:
• 5+ years of experience in project management, renovation, and construction; understanding of cost management processes, planning, and scheduling
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or other related degrees, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in leading multi-million-dollar contracts, including ownership of operations, project administration, client relations and all other scopes of work relative to large construction projects
• Knowledge of design and construction principals, standards, contracts, practices and building codes
• Ability to read and interpret construction and building plans and specifications
• Proven innovative experience to implement efficiencies within design, construction, and project management
• Strong understanding of construction methods
• General building systems knowledge, including heating and cooling, steam plant, electrical systems, and plumbing. Experience with sustainability efforts and solutions to ensure buildings and systems are high-performance and minimize costs, our footprint, and support occupants’ wellbeing
• Strong knowledge of computers and experience with MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable team player; strong ability to lead and motivate others; excellent time management and organizational skills; ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to work effectively collaborate with internal and external contacts and a diverse group of people at all levels in the organization
• Excellent decision making, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills; strong follow-through skills to ensure completion of goals and objectives
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, dependable, and having high integrity; ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality
• Keen attention to detail, with the ability to recognize discrepancies and offer creative solutions and efficiencies while thinking globally
• Ability to effectively coordinate multiple projects simultaneously that vary in complexity; ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks and demands
• Strong problem identification, resolution, and conflict management skills
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills; proven ability to quickly learn and apply new information
• Physical ability to walk through construction sites, climb ladders and scaffolding, navigate rough terrain, access confined spaces and otherwise safely navigate a building under construction
• Knowledge of environmental and safety rules, regulations, and policies
• Proven ability to plan and make effective presentations to small and large groups, leveraging technology as needed

Benefits:
Queens offers comprehensive benefits to eligible employees, including: medical, dental and vision insurance, domestic partner benefits, defined contribution (matching) and supplemental 403(b) retirement plans, vacation and generous paid holidays, tuition remission and tuition exchange, Queens-paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance, dependent life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, Health Savings Account), sick leave and long-term disability leave, paid parental leave, FMLA leave when eligible, reduced cost meals at Morrison Dining Hall, employee assistance program (EAP), free access to the Levine Center, wellness programs. In addition, employees may choose benefits such as pet insurance, critical care insurance and legal assistance.

Physical requirements:
• Visual Abilities: Read reports, create presentations, and use a computer system
• Hearing: Hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, vendors, and students
• Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling: Write, type, and use the telephone, copier, and computer systems
• Mobility: Open files and operate office machines; move between departments and attend meetings across campus. Physical ability to walk through construction sites, climb ladders and scaffolding, navigate rough terrain, access confined spaces and otherwise safely navigate a building under construction
• Talking: Frequently convey detailed or important instructions and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Lifting, Pulling, Pushing: Exert up to 30 pounds for force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Cognitive/Emotional: Ability to critically think and concentrate. Able to respond quickly to changes in conditions

Work conditions:
• Work in office environment, outdoors, and construction sites involving contact with faculty, staff, students, parents, service providers and vendors
• Must be willing and able to respond quickly and decisively to after-hours emergencies
• Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions, high volume and may be stressful at times

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of these positions, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended to describe the general nature of this position.

 

Queens University of Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity. Queens does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, child birth and conditions related to pregnancy or child birth), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, disability, political beliefs, veteran status, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, employment and hiring policies, or other University-administered programs.

Any individual with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to participate in Queens’ job search/selection process should contact the Director of Human Resources at 704.337.2222.