Director of Planning and Construction

Job Title

Director of Planning and Construction

Job Description Summary

Haverford College invites applications for our full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, benefits-eligible, Director of Planning and Construction opportunity.

Job Description

Total Compensation

• Salary: Salary range begins at $126,360
• Benefits: The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes possible work-from-home opportunities, automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year’s Day), affordable medical plans, Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and$1400 for families (no match required, available to employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan), and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page (https://www.haverford.edu/human-resources/benefits) for more information.
• Work Location: This position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule, pursuant to the College’s Work Location Policy.

About Facilities Management

The Office of Facilities Management supports Haverford College’s mission by stewarding one of the nation’s most beautiful and historic liberal arts campuses. We are responsible for maintaining, renewing, and developing the physical environment that enables teaching, learning, research, residential life, and community engagement.

Our team oversees campus planning, capital projects, facilities operations, maintenance, utilities, grounds, and sustainability initiatives. We are committed to providing safe, welcoming, efficient, and sustainable facilities while preserving the distinctive character of Haverford’s historic campus.

Facilities Management is more than an operational department; we are strategic partners in advancing the College’s academic mission. We collaborate closely with faculty, staff, students, senior leadership, trustees, donors, architects, engineers, and contractors to deliver projects that enhance the campus experience and support the institution’s long-term goals.

We seek professionals who value collaboration, thoughtful stewardship of resources, continuous improvement, and service to the campus community. Successful team members are committed to excellence, approach challenges with curiosity and creativity, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and understand that every project contributes to the educational mission of the College.

We value leaders who take ownership, make data-informed decisions, and ensure that every investment of the College’s resources advances institutional priorities and creates lasting value for the campus community.

About the Position
The Director of Planning and Construction provides strategic leadership and operational management for the planning, design, construction, renovation, and capital renewal activities of the College. This position is responsible for overseeing capital projects from concept through occupancy, ensuring projects support the institution’s academic mission, campus character, sustainability goals, operational needs, and long-term campus planning objectives.

The Director serves as the College’s primary representative for capital project delivery and collaborates extensively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, donors, architects, engineers, contractors, and regulatory authorities. The role requires balancing strategic planning, technical expertise, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and day-to-day project execution within the context of a small liberal arts college environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Capital Project Leadership

• Direct and manage the College’s capital construction and renovation program, including academic, residential, administrative, athletic, infrastructure, and campus landscape projects
• Oversee projects through all phases including feasibility, programming, design, estimating, bidding/procurement, construction, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout
• Establish project scopes, schedules, budgets, and performance expectations
• Ensure projects align with institutional priorities, campus master plans, and operational objectives
• Monitor project performance related to budget, schedule, quality, and risk

Campus Planning and Strategic Initiatives

• Support implementation and refinement of the Campus Comprehensive Plan and related strategic planning efforts
• Evaluate space utilization, deferred maintenance priorities, infrastructure renewal needs, and long-range campus development opportunities
• Assist senior leadership in developing project priorities and capital planning recommendations
• Coordinate planning studies, feasibility analyses, and consultant-led assessments

 

Consultant and Contractor Management

• Lead selection, procurement, and management of architects, engineers, consultants, construction managers, and contractors
• Administer Requests for Quotation (RFQs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), bidding processes, and consultant evaluations in accordance with College policies and governance expectations
• Negotiate professional service agreements and construction contracts in coordination with College leadership and legal counsel
• Foster collaborative and accountable relationships with external project partners

 

Financial and Administrative Management

• Develop and manage capital project budgets and cash flow projections
• Review and approve project invoices, change orders, pay applications, and project reporting documentation
• Coordinate with Finance on project accounting, forecasting, and reporting requirements
• Maintain comprehensive project records and reporting systems

 

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Serve as liaison between Facilities Management and campus stakeholders throughout project development and execution
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, design reviews, and project communication processes
• Prepare presentations, reports, and briefing materials for senior leadership and Board committees
• Coordinate donor-related project communication and engagement as appropriate

 

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, ADA requirements, environmental regulations, safety standards, and institutional policies
• Coordinate permitting, inspections, testing, and occupancy approvals
• Support risk mitigation and construction safety practices
• Maintain familiarity with higher education regulatory and compliance environments

 

Facilities Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Maintenance, Grounds, Environmental Health & Safety, and other Facilities units to minimize operational disruption during projects
• Ensure projects are designed and executed with long-term maintainability and operational efficiency in mind
• Support transition from construction to occupancy and ongoing facilities operations

 

Supervision

• Supervise and mentor the Assistant Director of Facilities Management for Planning and Design, and the Facilities Project Manager, including hiring, training, prioritizing work assignments, supporting professional development, setting goals, and conducting performance evaluations
• Foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, open communication, and accountability

Line of Report: The Director of Planning and Construction reports to the AVP of Facilities Management. This position will supervise the work of the Assistant Director of Facilities Management for Planning and Design, and the Facilities Project Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or related field
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing capital projects, planning, design, or construction activities
• Three (3) years of experience supervising professional staff that report directly to you

Professional Competencies

• Experience overseeing multiple concurrent projects with varying scale and complexity
• Demonstrated experience managing consultants, contractors, budgets, and schedules

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, institutional, or campus environments strongly
• Professional licensure or certification (Registered Architect, Professional Engineer, CCM, PMP, LEED Accreditation, etc.)
• Familiarity with historic campus environments and renovation of occupied facilities

We are aware that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet qualifications as described in the job advertisement. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory, and have skills and abilities gained outside a classroom context, or an equivalent skill set. We encourage you to apply and share how you meet the position’s qualifications.

Special Requirements

●       Ability to obtain and maintain PA Act 12 background checks

●       Possession of a valid U.S. Drivers’ License and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record check

To Apply: Interested applicants are invited to submit an application through Haverford College’s Workday career website (no other form of application is accepted). A complete application includes 1) a resume and 2) a cover letter summarizing your interest and how your experiences and skills meet the requirements of the position. Please email recruiting@haverford.edu with questions about submitting your materials.

The application deadline is September 20, 2026. Application review will begin after the deadline has passed. Should the search committee be interested in pursuing your candidacy, you will hear from them directly. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Haverford College strives to maintain an equitable, accessible, and welcoming environment where staff, faculty and students of all backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experience can work, learn, and thrive. Haverford College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other identity or characteristic protected by law. Haverford College recognizes that we live and work on Lenape land.