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Director of Facilities Planning and Real Estate

Academic Careers, Seattle, WA, United States


Director of Facilities Planning and Real Estate FLSA Status : Exempt

Months Per Year : 12

Hours Per Week : 37.5

Employment Status : Full‑Time

Work Model : On‑site

Seattle University is a highly innovative Jesuit and Catholic university that values diversity in its broadest sense. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity and strive to create a welcoming, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration : Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication : Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non‑verbally.

Ethics and Integrity : Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation : Embraces change, approaches problems with curiosity and adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion : Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes‑Driven Orientation : Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Summary The Director of Facilities Planning and Real Estate (PRE) works closely with the Associate Vice President of Facilities, Senior Leadership, Deans, Vice Presidents, and diverse internal and external stakeholders to build consensus for the development of strategic facility plans, pre‑planning of major capital projects, and campus‑wide space and master planning. The recent acquisition of Cornish College of the Arts (the South Lake Union Campus or SLU) along with ongoing real‑estate strategy needs on the main First Hill Campus create significant opportunities for the University to leverage its real‑estate portfolio to support the mission.

The Director will leverage expertise in real‑estate development, land use, and campus master planning to work with third‑party consultants and real‑estate developers, guiding senior leadership in strategic real‑estate decisions. The Director will coordinate the lease proposal development process and ensure seamless integration of program needs as well as economic and legal terms into final lease documents. The Director will also ensure close coordination with design and construction project managers for successful delivery of tenant improvements.

Other Responsibilities

Oversight of assigned budgets for leases and planning projects.

Specify, oversee, assign, review, and approve the work of consultants and contractors.

Maintain appropriate documentation, using a collaborative and consulting model of interaction with faculty and staff.

Prepare and present high‑quality reports for University leadership and Trustees; as appropriate, prepare and present materials to the Capital Planning and Land Use Board Committee of the Trustees.

Job Functions Strategic Planning (30%)

Apply expertise in real‑estate development, land use, and campus master planning to facilitate strategic real‑estate initiatives with Senior Leadership, ensuring optimized use of real‑estate assets.

Develop, recommend, and update policies, guidelines, and procedures that maintain appropriate standards and a high level of service.

Actively participate as an advisor to the AVP on the strategic direction of the department with other directors and University Departments.

Leverage intellectual, planning, and financial strengths to develop analyses, requests for proposals, scoping documents, studies, and other work product necessary to support strategic initiatives.

Lead, develop, and maintain campus master‑planning efforts including the 10‑Year Facilities Plan (10YFP), Campus Master Plan (CMP), Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP), and School, College, and Major Area (SCMA) Master plans. Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external resources while aligning with institutional goals.

Oversee annual updates to ensure plans remain current.

Facilities Planning (30%)

Optimize use of current space portfolio through effective tactical space programming, space utilization initiatives, long‑range master planning, and asset condition assessment, due diligence, and acquisition.

Direct initial feasibility phases of capital projects, working with facility staff, external consultants, and identified stakeholders to establish actionable project goals and ensure follow‑through.

Prepare quick "test fits" and concepts using design/drafting software such as AutoCAD or Revit to communicate real‑estate options to stakeholders.

Coordinate with the Implementation Advisory Committee, the City, and other campus and community stakeholders for all matters related to the MIMP.

Work with University faculty and staff in selecting consultants, reviewing estimates, and preparing consultant agreements as required.

Support preliminary needs assessment, space planning, and strategy development for all University space.

Oversee staff responsible for supporting space databases, real‑estate budgets, and move management.

Real Estate (30%)

Monitor and ensure performance of the overall lease portfolio. Make recommendations for strategic real‑alignment and cost‑saving opportunities.

Coordinate the lease proposal development process, ensuring seamless integration of program needs and economic/legal terms into final lease documents.

Work with outside consultants and internal stakeholders to identify, study, and make recommendations on development opportunities.

Coordinate with construction project managers for successful project delivery of tenant improvements.

Process and Procedures (10%)

Collaborate with Facilities Design staff on standards to maintain compliance with program, budget, schedule, codes, and institutional standards for owned and leased assets.

Maintain relationships with governing bodies to ensure regulatory compliance and permit use.

Solicit and coordinate participation of supervisors and related staff in all aspects of planning and real‑estate scope of services.

Other duties as assigned that contribute to the mission of Seattle University.

Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Real Estate, or related field. Total 10 years of experience in some or all of the following areas: higher education/campus planning, real‑estate development/property management, design, and/or project management.

Knowledge of building life‑safety codes, project management protocols, and interior/building materials/construction standards.

Leadership skills required

The ability to lead and manage a diverse group of professional staff and committees.

Experience in delivering on‑time, high quality, complex planning documents.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience of collaborative management practices; ability to work both independently and collaboratively as needed.

High motivation and ability to work through obstacles and ambiguity to create coherent and structured options.

Strong Communication skills required Ability to relate to multiple campus and off‑campus user groups, explain technical ideas and terms to a variety of constituencies, and create consensus among stakeholders.

Ability to communicate orally one‑on‑one, in front of large or small audiences, and with diverse groups using multiple tools: plans, PowerPoint, models, sketches, etc.

General Knowledge required

Expertise in space planning, campus planning, and space data management.

Knowledge of laws, trends, operations, and standards associated with real‑estate and development.

Ability to understand plans, prints, schedules, and construction documents.

Proficiency in computer design applications such as AutoCAD and/or Revit and desktop applications such as MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project.

The ability to organize and delegate work and manage multiple programs simultaneously.

A demonstrated ability to find creative solutions to problems, create cost‑effective projects, and encourage others to do the same is essential.

Demonstrated customer‑focused and collaborative operational style.

Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and scheduling skills as related to project and resource management.

All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university's mission, vision and values.

All positions at Seattle University require a criminal history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field.

Registration as a professional Engineer or Licensed Architect.

Application Instructions Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance Salary Range: $125,000 – $135,000

Seattle University provides a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as qualifications, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and market information, and not based on gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the payroll number. Seattle University offers generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to the overall package.

Benefits at a Glance Consistent with its Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits that support the whole person, including medical, dental, vision, life, short‑term and long‑term disability, retirement contributions, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, wellness program, holiday schedule, paid holiday break closure, vacation, sick leave, and community service leave. For more information, explore the Benefits website at https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/.

To Apply To apply, please visit https://seattleu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/8/home/requisition/3037?c=seattleu

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