Description
The Opportunity
Sr. Director of Construction and Planning Operations
UCHealth Leprino Building - Aurora, CO
Position Summary
Provides strategic leadership for the organization's planning, design, and construction portfolio, overseeing large-scale capital projects, master planning initiatives, and enterprise-wide facility improvements. Drive innovation in healthcare while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with organizational growth strategies across multiple sites and service lines. This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote work option.
Key Responsibilities
The Sr. Director of Construction and Planning Operations plays a key role in the health system's strategic and operational efforts by:
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management
Develop and execute comprehensive construction project controls processes for consistent management of the portfolio of projects being managed across the organization
Work with other Sr. Directors and project management staff to oversee a construction and design portfolio valued at >$1B across multiple facilities and markets
Lead cross-functional teams including architects, engineers, project managers, and clinical leadership
Establish project controls, preconstruction planning, budget development, bid management, commissioning, contract administration, construction protocols, and best practices across the health system
Partner with executive leadership on facility-related strategic initiatives and market expansion
Capital Planning & Investment Strategy
Lead annual capital planning process for facilities and infrastructure investments
Develop business cases and ROI analyses for major construction and renovation projects
Develop presentation materials for capital requests and project updates to board of directors and executive committees
Optimize capital allocation across competing priorities and multiple facility locations
Establish and monitor key performance indicators for construction and design initiatives
Organizational Development & Team Leadership
Lead the implementation and integration of the construction project management software (e-builder/Construct) and ensure staff are properly trained on the use of the software
Establish performance metrics and accountability frameworks for direct reports
Foster culture of innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
Manage relationships with executive leadership, medical staff, and board members
Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance
Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with healthcare regulations, building codes, and accreditation standards
Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies for large-scale construction projects
Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control measures during construction activities
Develop project charters, schedules, dashboards and communications tools to ensure current project progress is effectively communicated to executive and market leadership
Develop in-house commissioning process to ensure quality standards are maintained throughout the planning, design, and project management processes
Coordinate with Project Activation team on a standardized operational turnover process to ensure projects are safely and effectively transitioned to operational use.
Develop project close-out process in coordination with UCHealth Finance leadership
Innovation & Industry Leadership
Drive adoption of emerging technologies and innovative design solutions in healthcare facilities
Participate in sustainability initiatives and LEED certification programs
Establish partnerships with leading healthcare design and construction firms and technology vendors
Represent organization at industry conferences and professional associations
Benchmark against best-in-class healthcare systems and facilities
Candidate Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Healthcare Administration, or related field
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in planning, design, and construction
5+ years of senior management experience with P&L responsibility
Demonstrated success managing construction portfolios exceeding $25M annually
Deep knowledge of design and construction regulations, accreditation standards, and building codes
Proven track record of leading large, complex construction projects
Strong financial acumen with experience in capital planning, budget management, and project management software
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, MS) or professional certifications (PMP, CCM, FACHE, LEED)
Experience with health systems and multi-site operations
Background in healthcare planning and construction
Track record of successful board and C-suite presentations
Experience with public-private partnerships or alternative project delivery methods
Experience with Total Project Commissioning and ASHRAE Guideline 0
Key Competencies:
Executive presence and ability to influence senior leadership and board members
Strategic thinking with ability to translate vision into actionable plans
Exceptional communication skills for diverse stakeholder groups
Change management expertise in complex environments
Financial modeling and business case development capabilities
Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
Cultural competency and ability to work in diverse, multi-generational teams
Leadership Scope:
Direct reports: professionals including construction managers, designers, and project directors
Indirect oversight: 50+ internal and external team members on active projects
Budget responsibility: $100M+ annual capital expenditure
Geographic scope: Multiple facilities across UCHealth footprint
This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery through innovative facility design while driving operational excellence during project execution across a complex healthcare enterprise.
Pay: $159,348 - $254,996 annually. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
UCHealth invests in its Workforce.
UCHealth offers an Annual Incentive Bonus to recognize employee's contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, and financial goals.
UCHealth offers their employees a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package (benefit eligibility is based off of FTE status):
Medical, dental and vision coverage including coverage for eligible dependents
403(b) with employer matching contributions
Time away from work: paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI)
Employer-paid basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options
Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability with buy-up coverage options
Wellness benefits
Full suite of voluntary benefits such as flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care, health savings accounts (available with HD/HSA medical plan only), identity theft protection, pet insurance, and employee discount programs
Education benefits for employees, including the opportunity to be eligible for 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees. Other programs may qualify for up to $5,250 pre-paid by UCHealth or in the form of tuition reimbursement each calendar year
Loan Repayment:
UCHealth is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program! UCHealth provides employees with free assistance navigating the PSLF program to submit their federal student loans for forgiveness through Savi.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when they do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
Who We Are (uchealth.org)
