Director Of Planning & Experience Transformation (Pos #89153)

Description

Title: Director of Planning & Experience Transformation
Position Number: 89153
Hiring Unit: Vice President for Administration
Location: Manoa Campus, Honolulu
Posting Date: April 19, 2023
Closing Date: May 2, 2023
Salary Information: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General

INTRODUCTION
As the sole provider of public higher education in Hawaii, the University of Hawaii (UH) is committed to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of current and future generations. To aid in this pursuit, the University has developed an integrated academic and facilities plan (IAFP) that provides UH with a strategic vision to align and leverage the unique mission, capabilities and resources of each campus while reducing unnecessary duplication and increasing collaboration. The IAFP brings together academic planning and facilities planning, two areas that have been historically managed independent to ensure investments are aligned and there is continuity in staff effort throughout the organization.
The Office of Planning and Experience Transformation (OPET) support's the University's ability to realize the IAFP through the creation of engaging, flexible and inclusive spaces. The needs of the campus community are collaboratively determined, pragmatic yet thoughtful, solutions are identified and projects are objectively prioritized based on a set of defined criteria. OPET Services include but are not limited to leading long-term visioning sessions with university stakeholders, collecting and analyzing data to inform planning and space management efforts, implementing wayfinding and placemaking that reinforce the campus identity, establishing design standards that consistently and cohesively shape the built environment, participating in the planning and design phases of capital improvement projects and identifying ways to improve the gathering experience of students staff and visitors.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a member of the Vice President for Administration's (VPA) senior leadership team, the Director of Planning & Experience Transformation works closely with UH System leaders and staff from individual campuses staff to maintain a clear strategic direction that aligns with enrollment and retention targets, improves the student, staff and faculty experience and preserves the long-term financial stability of the enterprise.
The successful candidate must be able to think tactically to address near-term operational needs and strategically to advance initiatives that have a transformative impact on the institution. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills are also necessary as this position is responsible for managing a group of subordinate professionals that may be comprised of staff, principle investigators, external consultants and student workers. A more detailed description of duties in various oversight areas is noted below.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Space Management, Access and Analysis
Oversees team member(s) in the collection and maintenance of data relating to space assignments and classroom/lab utilization. Validates space requirements for capital projects and identifies surge space for parties that may be impacted during construction. Establishes, maintains and reinforces space utilization criteria. Produces reports and conducts analysis on space utilization for senior leadership team members. Provisions access to assigned spaces via mechanical (key) and electronic (card) access control systems. Audits mechanical and electronic card access to control systems at regular intervals. Coordinate with staff and academic departments to establish and update regular hours of operation for each building on campus.
Strategic Planning
Facilitates visioning sessions with various subsets of the University Community to validate strategic planning objectives. Conducts charrettes and workshops to capture where there is demand and interest for targeted investments in the built environment that improve the student, staff and visitor experience. Provides consultations to departments that are interested in aligning their efforts and goals with those of the campus at large.
Proof-of-Concept Design Development
Oversees and produces proof-of-concept designs for key capital improvement projects and related design efforts at the University for the OVPA in collaboration with the University of Hawai'i Community Design Center (UHCDC). Ensures proposed design treatments align with established design criteria and standards. Serves as Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, or Co-Investigator on each project and manages task orders that are in place with the UHCDC. Works with staff to integrate and advance sustainable development goals.
Plan Review Use Alignment
Ensures identified projects and investments in physical facilities at UH M?noa align with the Plan Review Use (PRU) developed by the University and approved by the City and County of Honolulu. Communicates potential issues during early project planning and design discussions and at major milestones along the project development process to mitigate financial and temporal impacts to projects. Manages PRU updates and applications as needed.
Transforming the Campus Experience
Identifies opportunities to improve the campus experience related to circulation, gathering spaces, amenities and access to goods and services. Implements wayfinding and signage that help students, staff and visitors navigate the campus. Identifies opportunities for traffic calming that increase safety and improve the pedestrian experience. Develops conceptual drawings for placemaking that activate the space between buildings and realize the highest and best use of public spaces. Identifies locations for additional amenities or goods and services providers that reduce the need to leave campus. Ensures improvements are flexible and adaptable to the preferences of the future campus community.
Staff Oversight and Budget Responsibilities
Manages and directs a staff of full-time and part-time University employees and student workers. Reviews and approves leave requests. Communicates the mission and vision of the department. Completes performance evaluations and assists with individual goal setting in alignment with department and organizational goals. Manages operational and project-based budgets.
Coordinating with Academic Departments
Develops and maintains relationships with faculty, staff, and student organizations, and academic leaders to ensure the voices of the student body, faculty, and staff are heard and appropriately informed of campus projects. Translates qualitative feedback into actionable insights and critical-to-quality metrics. Identifies opportunities to drive alignment between University administration and upper-level courses. Develops partnerships with faculty that provide a pathway for students to inform projects being designed or planned at the University.
Prioritizing Capital Improvements
Actively participates in the identification and prioritization of capital projects that alter the built environment. Collaborates with University leaders to establish objective criteria that can be used to rank-order investments. Recommends and secures funding from private capital, the legislature and other sources. Assesses proposed investments in physical facilities to determine alignment with stated organizational objectives. Assists with the development of the 6-year capital improvement plan that is updated annually.
Public Relations
Highlights the transformative impact of implemented projects by drafting news stories and updates for internal and external parties. Participates in local and national forums and professional associations to build awareness of the work that is ongoing at the University of Hawai'i. Actively participates in discussion with brand ambassadors and communications' staff that produce publications geared towards prospective staff and students. Engages with the public at community group meetings as needed to inform the community of upcoming projects. Assists with requests for information on capital projects that are received from the state legislature and other outlets such as local and national media outlets. Prepares applications for projects that may be well-suited for awards and recognition.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master's degree in Architecture, Design, Engineering or related field.
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a large complex organization which involved designing and overseeing complex design and planning projects and which demonstrated organizational, managerial, and leadership abilities.
3. Demonstrated experience managing blended project teams, including architects, engineers, landscape architects, urban planners, graphic designers, researchers, UI/UX designers, business strategists, and/or brand designers.
4. Demonstrated ability to oversee capital improvement projects.
5. Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic.
6. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and succinctly in writing, verbally and through graphics.
7. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
8. Demonstrated ability to express sound judgement and draw unbiased conclusions.
9. Strong written communication skills to communicate complex design projects for senior management team members, partner offices, and larger project teams.
10. Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills with proven ability to use hard data and concrete reference to back up assumptions.
11. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Productivity Suite, Adobe Suite, and Computer Aided Drawing programs including AutoCAD and Rhino.

DESIRABLE QUALIFCATIONS

1. Professional licensure in architecture in the State of Hawai'i.
2. Experience in a post-secondary educational institution involving capital improvement projects and familiarity with the realities of academia.
3. Experience in a post-secondary educational institution involving campus planning or a municipal institution conducting long-range strategic plans.
4. Track record of design excellence in the form of professional design awards.

TO APPLY:
Click on the "APPLY" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application.
Candidates must also submit/attach:

1. Cover Letter summarizing the candidate's interest and qualifications for the position
2. Current Resume
3. Names of four (4) professional references, including title and contact information

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References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate. A background check will be made prior to employment.
INQUIRIES:
Office of Human Resources, email: systempo@hawaii.edu

EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran. For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/