Career Center

Our Client

Columbia University Facilities and Operations supports the core educational and research mission of the University by maintaining a safe, beautiful, and functional campus environment and providing services and spaces for campus life and activity outside the classroom. Facilities and Operations is responsible for the safety, preservation, and maintenance of Columbia's real estate portfolio. It provides space planning; oversight of new building design and construction; renovation, repair, and restoration of existing spaces; operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds; and management of the University apartment housing inventory and campus public safety. Within the campus, Facilities and Operations also serves the community through the operation of its residential and retail dining program, event catering and venue management, undergraduate residence halls, student center and bookstore, and sustainability engagement.

As a valued partner of the Columbia academic and campus community, Facilities and Operations:

• provides high value and quality;
• seeks ways to continuously improve its operations;
• grows with the changing needs of the community;
• collaborates with University colleagues;
• delivers exceptional customer service; and
• are respected stewards of Columbia's physical assets.

Location

Columbia University – New York, NY

Position Summary

The Planning & Capital Project Management (PLCPM) group has the primary responsibility for overseeing the planning, development, design, and construction process for capital projects primarily at the Morningside Campus, the Baker Athletic Complex, and Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory Campus of Columbia University. Working in conjunction with all other Columbia University Facilities Operations departments including Construction Business Services, Strategic Communications, Finance and Administration, Facilities Operations, Real Estate, and Public Safety, PLCPM implements approximately $70M to $150M worth of construction projects annually. The PLCPM group includes a Planning & Space Information team, an Exteriors & Historic Preservation team, a Design & Compliance team, and a Capital Project Management (CPM) team and consists of a total staff of approximately 35 planners, architects, engineers, and project managers of varying educational and professional backgrounds including architecture, engineering, and construction management.

Essential Functions

• Reporting directly to the Vice President (VP) of Planning & Capital Project Management (PLCPM), the Assistant Vice President of Capital Project Management will oversee approximately twenty (20) directors and project managers of the Capital Project Management (CPM) team who are responsible for collectively managing over 100 capital projects of various program typologies from inception to completion following standard industry best practices across all client portfolios on an annual basis.
• Project types include interior fit out, adaptive reuse, core / shell, research laboratories, athletics facilities, infrastructure renewal, and other project and program types typical of a major higher education institution. Individual projects range in complexity, size, and cost from $50,000 to $300M.
• Working closely with the VP of PLCPM, the AVP will provide critical leadership and strategic direction for the CPM team in all phases of capital project development and implementation. The incumbent will be required to ensure that all institutional policies/procedures are being followed, scopes of work are accurately developed and implemented, and budgets and schedules are maintained/enforced.
• The AVP also will develop long-term strategic vision for the CPM team along with an implementation plan and priorities inclusive of short-term goals and corresponding initiatives. The ideal candidate will be expected to assess, develop, and implement data-driven enhancements and improvements to internal administrative, management, communication, and project delivery processes and procedures.
• The incumbent also will be responsible for overall staff management of the CPM team, including building and improving staff performance through recruiting, skill development, and evaluation as well as managing staff resource allocation and deployment.
• The AVP will represent CPM as one of the primary contacts for the organization. He / She will be required to work closely with the Facilities Operations organization's senior staff as well as numerous institutional stakeholders including but not limited to senior administrative and academic officers, faculty, funding clients, end users, and various internal administrative and academic organizations. The incumbent will ensure the consistent and successful management of projects from inception through construction and closeout adhering to and consistent with institutional policies and goals.
• The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating with all internal PLCPM teams, internal project stakeholders, external project participants, and clients to manage the successful delivery of the portfolio of projects. He / She should have demonstrated strong background in general project management including, but not limited to, design, construction, scheduling, and financial management.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field is required. Advanced degree and/or supplemental certifications such as LEED AP or Construction Management Certifications is desirable. Candidates seeking consideration must have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the management of staff as well as multiple complex construction projects, ideally including multiple years managing capital projects in New York City (vacant and occupied) buildings.
• Candidates must have excellent time management, interpersonal, communications (written and oral), and problem solving skills. Candidates must possess a strong executive mindset and be highly organized and motivated, capable of effectively prioritizing tasks and goals. Candidates also must have a demonstrated ability to effectively manage and professionally mentor staff.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated working knowledge of applicable building codes and regulations; building systems (mechanical/electrical/plumbing/envelope); as well as demonstrated proficiency in construction project management and delivery, including beneficial use of relevant industry tools and software (MS Project, AutoCad, etc).
• The individual must have the ability to work in a client-facing service environment and exercise discretion and judgement.

Helpful Links

• Columbia University Facilities and Operations
• Planning & Capital Project Management Group

 About the Search

Columbia University is conducting a national search with the assistance of Helbling & Associates (www.helblingsearch.com), an executive search firm specializing in areas of facilities management, construction, engineering, and real estate development.

Please Submit Applications or Nominations to 

Helbling & Associates, Inc.

8000 Brooktree Road, Suite 100, Wexford, PA  15090

Lee Grandovic, Regional Manager, NYC

E: LeeG@helblingsearch.com

C: (724) 601-4607

Please visit Helbling & Associates’ Candidates Page for more information.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity / affirmative action – Disability / Veterans employer.