Associate Vice President, Office of Capital Projects

Industry: Facilities Management
Location: New Jersey - Princeton
Sector: Higher Education
Search ID: 24-1005-33
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Jim Lord
Jim Lord
Matt Lesher
Matt Lesher

Description

Princeton University has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure an Associate Vice President, Office of Capital Projects.

For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image below. 
 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Facilities, the Associate Vice President (AVP) will be responsible for managing the University’s capital projects from project inception and design phases through commissioning and closeout. As Princeton embarks on a major new multi-year capital program, the AVP will establish a strategic and integrated approach to developing the University’s on- and off-campus space and facilities – academic, administrative, and student-life related – and will thereby strengthen its management of the extraordinary physical resources it leverages to advance the academic mission.

The AVP will lead the development of best-in-class capital projects delivery by designing and managing efficient, effective, collaborative and transparent processes to align internal and external project participants and by leading a high-performing professional staff of architects, engineers, project managers, and support staff. The AVP leads a staff of approximately 80 professionals with a wide range of relevant skills.


Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management Leadership
  • Provide leadership and direction to the Office of Capital Projects, ensuring that the combined professional expertise of the staff delivers innovative stewardship of University assets, maximizes cooperation among project stakeholders, design teams, builders, and developers from the inception of all capital construction and renovation projects through the programing phase to construction completion and turnover to building occupants, and delivers value to the University in its capital investments.
  • Working in conjunction and collaboration with the University Architect and balancing design, budget, and schedule considerations, the AVP is the functional lead for all capital project management and all campus development activities. The AVP works collaboratively with the University Architect and the Director of Sustainability to ensure that planning and design standards continue to sustain the campus’ aesthetic features while promoting its efficient use and enhancing its sustainability, and works closely with Engineering, Utilities, and Operations groups to develop designs that facilitate efficient stewardship of new space.
 
Budget/ Resource Management 
  • The AVP will play a lead role in the planning and execution of large-scale projects for the University. Additionally, the AVP supervises and participates in the development of RFPs, contracts, proposals for goods and services, and the management of service providers and vendors. 
 
Strategic Initiatives 
  • The AVP will play a leadership role in the development of best-in-class capital projects delivery by designing and managing efficient, effective, collaborative and transparent processes to align internal and external project participants and by leading a high-performing professional staff of architects, engineers, project managers, and support staff.  
  • Serving as an institutional resource for capital project delivery, the AVP will collaborate with senior academic and administrative leadership to support Princeton’s mission and will cultivate and sustain cooperative working relationships with local, county, state, and federal agencies. 
  • Experience with Capital Project Management Software (CPMS) tools for managing project workflows, documentation, and reporting. 
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage technology to drive efficiency and innovation in capital project management.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing organizational change, including the successful implementation and adoption of new processes, systems, and technologies to improve overall efficiency and performance.
 
Strategic Organizational Effectiveness 
  • Develop a “center of excellence” approach to project management that, by sharing expertise, methods, tools, and resources, will enhance the capabilities of other Princeton units that may continue to deliver some of their own projects.
  • Enhance the collaboration with the Office of the University Architect in strengthening the early stages of the project life cycle, notably in activities such as design development and the selection of architects and engineers.
  • Lead appropriate innovation in project-delivery models such as integrated project delivery so as to ensure that Princeton is always advancing projects optimally.
  • Contribute as a member of the senior leadership team of Facilities to its ongoing excellence in stewardship, professionalism, and collaboration. 

Committee Support 
  • The AVP will support the Vice President of Facilities in his role as secretary to the Board of Trustees Committee on Grounds and Buildings and in his work with the Facilities Planning Group; chaired by the Provost, this committee reviews capital projects and advances approved projects for consideration by the Board. 


About Princeton University

Princeton University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, founded in 1746. Renowned for its commitment to excellence in education, cutting-edge research, and fostering a vibrant intellectual community, Princeton offers a unique and enriching environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Princeton is consistently ranked among the top universities globally. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. With a student-faculty ratio of approximately 5:1, Princeton ensures personalized attention and mentorship for students. The university's faculty includes Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and members of prestigious academies, all contributing to significant advancements and thought leadership. Research at Princeton is robustly supported by substantial funding from federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners, facilitating a wide array of groundbreaking projects.
The Princeton campus is known for its stunning Gothic architecture, beautiful green spaces, and iconic landmarks like Nassau Hall and the University Chapel. The Firestone Library, one of the largest university libraries in the world, houses millions of volumes and extensive special collections.
 
Princeton’s impact is profound, with a legacy of scholarly achievement reflected in its 69 Nobel Prize winners and influential alumni, including U.S. Presidents like Woodrow Wilson, First Lady Michelle Obama, and tech leaders like Jeff Bezos.
 

Location

Princeton, NJ

Requirements

MINIMUM
  • An undergraduate degree in architecture, engineering, planning, business, finance, or a related field
  • A current professional license or certification as an architect, engineer, or planner
  • A minimum of 10 years of experience including planning and design management, and implementation of multi-year capital programs
  • Demonstrated ability to manage the programming and design of large, complex facilities projects
  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills; demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex initiatives and projects simultaneously
  • Demonstrated experience in using physical design to successfully promote collaboration and collegiality and to advance a mission
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills; attention to detail coupled with the ability to think strategically and act decisively using a data-informed approach
  • Knowledge of facility operation problems, as well as engineering and architectural systems and applicable codes, standards, and regulations, preferably in a university or research and development environment
  • The ability to interact effectively with departmental staff as well as campus and enterprise-wide stakeholders
  • Knowledge of and interest in implementing sustainability principles and practices
  • Excellent collaboration skills and ability to provide effective communication within and outside of the department
  • The ability to effectively build relationships with stakeholders and negotiate with the University’s best interest in mind
  • An entrepreneurial and creative approach to seeking out opportunities in order to advise senior leadership
  • A commitment to diversity and inclusion and a track record of creating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming professional environment
  • The ability to successfully manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment is essential
 
PREFERRED
  • Previous experience working in the higher education environment, in the construction industry, or real estate development
 

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement

Princeton University believes that commitment to principles of fairness and respect for all is favorable to the free and open exchange of ideas, and the University seeks to reach out as widely as possible in order to attract the ablest individuals as students, faculty, and staff. In applying this policy, the University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of personal beliefs or characteristics such as political views, religion, national origin, ancestry, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth, age, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran status, disability, genetic information and/or other characteristics protected by applicable law in any phase of its education or employment programs or activities. In addition, pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and supporting regulations, Princeton does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates; this extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its supporting regulations may be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education or to the University’s Sexual Misconduct/Title IX Coordinator. 
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