
Senior Director of Planning, Design, & Construction
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), Lexington, KY, United States
Overview
The Senior Director of Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all facility planning, master planning, design, and construction activities across the ARH health system. This leader manages a diverse portfolio of capital projects — from small departmental renovations to major acute‑care expansions — ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, patient‑centered design, and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Capital Program Leadership
- Lead development and execution of ARH’s facility master plans and capital construction roadmap.
- Drive long‑range planning for new construction, renovations, expansions, and system‑wide redevelopment.
- Provide executive recommendations on prioritization, sequencing, risk mitigation, feasibility, and financial impacts.
Project Delivery Oversight
- Oversee full lifecycle of capital projects from planning through closeout.
- Ensure project delivery aligns with scope, schedule, budget, and regulatory requirements.
- Establish and enforce project governance, reporting, and change‑management standards.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and develop a high‑performing team of project managers, designers, and construction staff.
- Build workforce capacity and support a collaborative culture.
- Oversee workload allocation, recruiting, development, and performance management.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Partner with clinical, operational, administrative, and executive leaders to ensure environments support care delivery.
- Provide executive‑level reporting on project status, risks, and financials.
- Present to system leadership and external agencies.
Financial Stewardship & Contract Management
- Oversee capital/project budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls.
- Lead procurement strategies, vendor selection, negotiations, and contract execution.
- Ensure transparency and accountability across all project phases.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local building codes and healthcare facility standards.
- Champion safe construction practices and minimize operational disruption.
Innovation & Design Excellence
- Promote innovative, patient‑centered, and efficient design solutions.
- Evaluate new technologies and sustainability strategies that improve facility performance.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree required (Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field).
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Professional licensure preferred (RA, PE, CHC, CHFM, PMP).
Experience
- 12–15+ years of progressive experience in healthcare planning, design, and construction.
- Experience managing large‑scale, complex capital projects.
- Strong background in healthcare codes, hospital operations, and capital program management.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Deep understanding of construction methodologies, project management, and building systems.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- High competency in budgeting, forecasting, contracts, and risk management.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS
- Requires on‑site presence across ARH hospitals and project locations.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Represents ARH professionally with regulators, vendors, and community stakeholders.