Managing Director, Campus Planning
| Industry: | Facilities Management |
| Location: | Massachusetts - Cambridge |
| Sector: | Higher Education |
| Search ID: | 24-0603-66 |
Description
Harvard University has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure a Managing Director, Campus Planning.
H
arvard University Planning and Design (HUPAD) is responsible for the stewardship of one of the world’s most iconic campus settings and advances Harvard’s mission of teaching and research by enhancing, sustaining, and optimizing the physical campus to achieve planning and design excellence. While remaining centered in its historical Cambridge and Boston geography, the University today includes diverse campus locations throughout the United States and the world.
Harvard University is seeking an inspiring, collaborative consensus-builder to join HUPAD’s senior leadership team as Managing Director for Campus Planning. Reporting to the Chief of Planning and Design, the Managing Director, Campus Planning will provide leadership and direction to the Campus Planning (CP) professional team of 11+ employees which is primarily focused on the established campuses in Boston and Cambridge. The CP team supports the University's facilities, institutional land, and capital financial resources in collaboration with the Schools and Departments and the broader community.
For more information about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image to the right.
As the leader of the CP team, the candidate will oversee the work of the Campus Planning team and coordinate closely with HUPAD colleagues (among them the Urban District Initiatives team and the Planning Resources team) and leadership of schools and units to provide expertise in strategic institutional physical planning, design, and public approvals to create a sense of place, promote physical connections, enrich the campus experience, and guide institutional development. The candidate will be responsible for identifying and implementing best campus planning and design practices, advocating for campus, and building design excellence, preservation of campus character, and the creation of a coherent campus, through coordination with university faculties and departments, cooperation with public officials and outreach to other stakeholders. The Managing Director will work collaboratively with the HUPAD Senior leadership towards ensuring HUPAD’s goals and mission are met.
Further, the Managing Director will collaborate with all Harvard Schools and Departments and build consensus toward developing and advancing visionary agendas while delivering client –centered results. The Managing Director will lead complex multidisciplinary teams responsible for comprehensive campus planning and design initiatives across Harvard’s campus locations. In consultation with Harvard Public Affairs and Communication (HPAC), the Managing Director will build partnerships with public officials and external committees on complex and sensitive planning issues and projects while providing strategic expertise in land use, design, and development planning. The Managing Director will also represent the University in public hearings and processes.
Position Summary
HHarvard University is seeking an inspiring, collaborative consensus-builder to join HUPAD’s senior leadership team as Managing Director for Campus Planning. Reporting to the Chief of Planning and Design, the Managing Director, Campus Planning will provide leadership and direction to the Campus Planning (CP) professional team of 11+ employees which is primarily focused on the established campuses in Boston and Cambridge. The CP team supports the University's facilities, institutional land, and capital financial resources in collaboration with the Schools and Departments and the broader community.
For more information about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image to the right.
As the leader of the CP team, the candidate will oversee the work of the Campus Planning team and coordinate closely with HUPAD colleagues (among them the Urban District Initiatives team and the Planning Resources team) and leadership of schools and units to provide expertise in strategic institutional physical planning, design, and public approvals to create a sense of place, promote physical connections, enrich the campus experience, and guide institutional development. The candidate will be responsible for identifying and implementing best campus planning and design practices, advocating for campus, and building design excellence, preservation of campus character, and the creation of a coherent campus, through coordination with university faculties and departments, cooperation with public officials and outreach to other stakeholders. The Managing Director will work collaboratively with the HUPAD Senior leadership towards ensuring HUPAD’s goals and mission are met.
Further, the Managing Director will collaborate with all Harvard Schools and Departments and build consensus toward developing and advancing visionary agendas while delivering client –centered results. The Managing Director will lead complex multidisciplinary teams responsible for comprehensive campus planning and design initiatives across Harvard’s campus locations. In consultation with Harvard Public Affairs and Communication (HPAC), the Managing Director will build partnerships with public officials and external committees on complex and sensitive planning issues and projects while providing strategic expertise in land use, design, and development planning. The Managing Director will also represent the University in public hearings and processes.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership for campus planning initiatives that align with Harvard University’s mission and values. Develop and implement long-term planning strategies to support the “One Harvard” vision and foster collaboration across schools and units. Collaborate with University leadership to establish long-term development objectives and prioritize projects in line with institutional priorities. Develop and support overall planning framework for the University focused on flexible campus development and land use strategies, design excellence, campus connectivity, sustainability, and climate resiliency. Craft and oversee public approvals strategies for university initiatives and projects that incorporate a sensitive approach to external requirements and constituencies while meeting University priorities. Identify potential risks associated with campus planning projects and develop strategies to mitigate them;
- Planning, Design and Public Approvals Oversight: Oversee the development and implementation of physical and master planning initiatives. Lead efforts to create inclusive, welcoming, and resilient campus environments that support teaching, research, student life, and community well-being. Stay informed about local, state, and federal regulations and planning initiatives related to campus development. In coordination with the HPAC, lead the University’s planning efforts and public approvals with the local municipalities of Boston and Cambridge. Collaborate with University stakeholders to ensure that academic priorities are appropriately translated into physical spaces. Ensure financial, historical integrity and other realities are considered in plan development. Oversee the planning of capital projects, feasibility studies, site development guidelines, and consultant selection processes. Ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with established quality standards. Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources to ensure successful completion within established parameters;
- Policy Development: Working with team across HUPAD, jointly develop and implement University policies, design guidelines, and standards related to land use, development, open space, transportation, housing, historic preservation, physical accessibility, space use, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience planning. Oversee and manage the University’s Designer Selection and Design Review policy and process. Ensure outside consultants and contractors understand and carry out the expressed intent of the design guidelines;
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster and build productive relationships with internal stakeholders including academic faculties, administrative units, and University affiliates. Collaborate with external partners, host communities, and community stakeholders to address mutual concerns and promote mutually beneficial campus planning practices. Serve as a convener bringing multiple stakeholder groups together to focus upon cross-organizational planning;
- Team Management: Provide mentorship, guidance, and supervision to a diverse team of professionals and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, empowerment, and continuous improvement;
- Communication and Advocacy: Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for campus planning initiatives within the Harvard community and beyond. Communicate complex planning concepts and strategies to diverse audiences through written reports and analyses, presentations, and public forums;
- Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage departmental budgets, allocate resources effectively, and seek external funding opportunities to support campus planning initiatives and capital projects. Develop and manage the budget for campus planning activities, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with institutional priorities;
- Continuous Improvement / Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, innovations, and disruptions in campus planning, design, and higher education. Evaluate how trends in areas such as technology, sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement can enhance campus planning processes and organizational effectiveness. Refine existing and new methodologies and tools to incorporate relevant innovations and ensure campus planning supports the evolving needs of the Harvard community.
About Harvard University
Harvard University, established in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is renowned for its rich history, academic excellence, and significant contributions to research and society.
Harvard enrolls approximately 20,000 students across its various programs and schools. This total includes around 6,700 undergraduate students in Harvard College and approximately 13,300 graduate and professional students. The university's student body is highly diverse, representing all 50 U.S. states and over 150 countries worldwide. Harvard's rigorous admission process and commitment to financial aid ensure that it attracts top talent from a wide array of backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and dynamic academic community.
The university comprises various schools and institutes, including Harvard College, the graduate schools of law, business, medicine, education, government, public health, and the renowned Harvard Divinity School. Harvard's extensive library system, the largest academic library in the world, boasts over 20 million volumes, providing unparalleled resources for students and researchers.
The university's campus is an architectural and historical treasure, featuring iconic structures like Harvard Yard, prominent scholars, Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners, who contribute to the university's strong emphasis on research and innovation. The university has produced an impressive list of alumni, including eight U.S. presidents, numerous foreign heads of state, and countless leaders in various fields such as business, science, arts, and literature. Through its extensive network of affiliates, partnerships, and programs, Harvard plays a critical role in addressing global challenges and advancing knowledge across a wide range of disciplines.
Requirements
Qualified candidates for Managing Director, Campus Planning will bring demonstrated ability to establish constructive and cooperative working relationships with persons in leadership positions; a strong record of accomplishment as a leader of a design organization within a major academic or public sector institution or in a planning and design firm. Must have an understanding and a proven track record in working effectively in a consensus driven environment; and a complex, decentralized ecosystem.
Harvard is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The dynamism that comes with working at Harvard is largely the result of its diversity. There, staff, faculty, administrators, and students representing a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds come together in pursuit of common goals. Together, they strive to provide an environment that values diversity and promotes an inclusive culture.
Required
- An advanced degree in urban planning, architecture, or urban design;
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in managing multiple and diverse projects in campus planning, urban design, and development, preferably within a higher education or large institutional setting with diverse stakeholders;
- Minimum 10 years of experience demonstrated leadership/management/supervisory experience in a matrixed environment and/or higher education in urban planning and design;
- Ability to provide overall conceptual and executive direction through a network of leaders;
- Exceptional physical planning and design skills;
- Experience in working with relevant local, state, and federal regulations;
- Ability to negotiate, build relationships, and work in a consensus-driven environments with including internal and external stakeholders with divergent interests;
- Expertise in regulatory compliance and experience in influencing regulation on construction and real estate development;
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and facilitate consensus-building processes;
- Experience leading a complex organization through organizational change with a high level of adaptability within a complex, decentralized environment;
- Strong understanding of land use regulations, zoning ordinances, and urban planning principles;
- High emotional intelligence;
- Passion for planning and design with the ability to take calculated risks as necessary to achieve institutional goals;
- Strong negotiation and persuasion skills;
Preferred
- Knowledge of Boston, Cambridge and Harvard community is a plus;
- Membership in relevant professional organizations (e.g., American Planning Association, American Institute of Architects) is desirable.
Harvard is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The dynamism that comes with working at Harvard is largely the result of its diversity. There, staff, faculty, administrators, and students representing a wide range of ages, races, interests, and backgrounds come together in pursuit of common goals. Together, they strive to provide an environment that values diversity and promotes an inclusive culture.