Director of Facilities Planning & Development at Virginia Union University – Richmond, Virginia
Explore Related Opportunities
About This Position
Virginia Union University (VUU) is a distinguished private institution founded in 1865 that proudly upholds a legacy of academic excellence and community engagement. With a historic 86-acre campus, it offers a dynamic and nurturing environment for its 1,568 undergraduate and graduate students. Virginia Union University is recognized in the 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Report, holding a prestigious position as #39 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
VUU provides a robust array of academic programs, including 35 Bachelor's, 11 Master's, and one Doctoral degree. Virginia Union University remains steadfast in its commitment to offering accessible, high-quality education, instilling a sense of assurance and confidence in its students. It fosters a vibrant intellectual community dedicated to the holistic development of future leaders.
Five fundamental principles (core values) guide Virginia Union University. Each principle is essential to our ability to provide a Best-In-Class educational experience for students, faculty, and staff. These principles help our community understand the right path to fulfilling our institution's mission. The principles are Innovation, Spiritual Formation, Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Excellence.
The Director of Facilities Planning & Development provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the long-range planning, development, and programming of Virginia Union University's physical campus environment. This senior leadership position is responsible for coordinating master planning efforts, managing capital development pipelines, leading project feasibility and programming activities, and ensuring that campus physical development is aligned with institutional enrollment growth, academic program expansion, accreditation standards, and the VUU 2030 strategic plan. The Director works in close collaboration with the Office of Business & Finance, the Office of the President, the Board of Trustees Physical Plant Committee, and external architectural, engineering, and planning consultants to advance the University's physical environment in a manner that is financially sustainable, mission-aligned, and community-centered.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the development, maintenance, and implementation of the VUU Campus Master Plan in coordination with the IMP Division leadership, academic deans, and senior administrators.
- Develop long-range facilities capital improvement plans that align with institutional strategic priorities, enrollment projections, and programmatic needs outlined in VUU 2030.
- Conduct comprehensive space utilization analyses and facilities condition assessments (FCAs) to identify deferred maintenance, reprogramming opportunities, and capital investment priorities.
- Establish and maintain a multi-year capital project pipeline with project cost estimates, phasing strategies, and funding source identification
- Integrate sustainability, accessibility, and equity principles into all campus planning and development activities.
- Oversee the programming, design development, and pre-construction phases of capital construction and renovation projects from concept through construction documents.
- Manage relationships with architects, engineers, planners, and specialty consultants engaged in capital planning and design services on behalf of the University.
- Develop project scopes, budgets, and schedules; coordinate permitting, regulatory compliance, and institutional approvals for capital projects.
- Collaborate with the Director of Capital Projects to ensure seamless handoff from planning and design phases to active construction management.
- Monitor and report on the status of capital planning activities to the SVP/Chief of Staff, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees Physical Plant Committee.
- Ensure campus planning activities and capital development projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal building codes, zoning regulations, ADA requirements, and environmental standards.
- Provide documentation and narrative support for SACSCOC accreditation standards related to physical resources, financial sustainability of facilities, and institutional effectiveness of the campus environment.
- Maintain accurate facilities records, as-built drawings, space inventory databases, and planning documentation to support institutional reporting and compliance requirements.
- Engage faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders in campus planning processes to ensure broad participation and transparent communication.
- Represent VUU in planning-related interactions with the City of Richmond, adjacent neighborhoods, government agencies, and external partners.
- Develop and present executive-level planning reports, presentations, and briefing documents for the President's Cabinet and Board of Trustees.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the SVP/Chief of Staff on facilities-related policy, planning governance, and capital investment strategy.
- Develop and manage the annual operating budget for the Facilities Planning & Development function within the IMP Division budget framework.
- Identify and support grant-writing efforts, donor cultivation, and public/private funding strategies to advance capital development priorities.
- Ensure cost-effective procurement and contracting practices consistent with University policy, Virginia procurement regulations, and best practices in higher education facilities management.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field required. Master's degree strongly preferred.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities planning, capital project development, or campus planning, with at least three (3) years in a leadership or management capacity.
- Professional licensure as a Registered Architect (AIA), Professional Engineer (PE), or AICP Certified Planner.
- Credentials in LEED, Fitwel, or other sustainability/building performance frameworks.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
Application Process
Candidates are required to submit their resume, four professional references and a cover letter. The application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A background investigation and reference check will be required prior to employment. For any questions or concerns, please contact Askhr@vuu.edu.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Virginia Union University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.
For more information about Virginia Union University, visit VUU About Page.