Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26383
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
John How
john.how@montana.edu
406-994-2105
Classification Title Facilities Professional
Working Title Director of Planning, Design, and Construction
Brief Position Overview
Planning, Design & Construction ( PDC ) is comprised of the Planning, Design, Project Management, GIS , and Support Services groups. The Director will provide engaged leadership and support to these units while actively managing the related human, fiscal, and material resources. As a member of the Facilities Management Leadership Team, the Director shall closely coordinate, and partner, with the affiliated Facilities Management departments to provide seamless and exceptional service delivery.
Position Number 4C5277
Department Campus Planning, Design & Construction
Division University Services
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type MUS
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Director of Planning, Design & Construction ( PDC ) reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management. Facilities Management is comprised of: Planning, Design & Construction ( PDC ); Engineering & Utilities; Facilities Services; Safety & Risk Management; Operations; and Administrative Support. Additionally, Facilities Management has dedicated technical support in the areas of Human Resources, Budget & Accounting, and Information Technology. PDC is comprised of the Planning, Design, Project Management, and GIS groups. Depending on the capabilities and experience of the successful candidate, and at the discretion of the Associate Vice President. The Director will provide engaged leadership and support to these units while actively managing the related human, fiscal, and material resources. As a member of the Facilities Management Leadership Team, the Director shall closely coordinate, and partner, with the affiliated Facilities Management departments listed above to provide seamless and exceptional service delivery. Through needs assessment, self-initiative, and cross-departmental collaboration, the Director will continuously improve existing, and develop new, programs, policies, and procedures to support exceptional service delivery in support of MSU's Mission. An important part of needs assessment will be interacting with a wide range of campus constituents and stakeholders that extend to the public and local/state/federal government.
Duties and Responsibilities
Dynamically lead, secure resources, and proactively manage the human, fiscal, and material resources for PDC . Develop goals and implement plans for PDC consistent with MSU's Mission and Strategic Plan. Implement, coordinate, and continuously improve processes within PDC . Working with a wide group of campus constituents, this group provides a diverse set of planning services including facility condition assessments, capital and long-range building planning, campus development planning, historic preservation, and land use and transportation planning.
The Director works closely with the Design group to develop standards and requirements that preserve and advance the physical environment of MSU in support of education, research, and community outreach.
The Director, working closely with the Senior Project Managers, guides this group's core function: define and steward the authority, scope, schedule, and budget parameters of new construction and renovation projects. The Director shall work with this group to assure that project activities are performed in accordance with applicable state statutes and MSU Board of Regents Policies under authority delegated to MSU by the State Architecture and Engineering Division. Projects range in very small to $100+ million.
PDC is charged with the stewardship of all campus spaces and reviews, maintains and analyzes spaces to assist University leadership and administrative units to utilize MSU space assets in an efficient yet flexible manner to support the mission of the university.
Work closely with PDC's affiliate departments within Facilities Management and campus stakeholders to develop and maintain appropriate planning and project development processes.
Serve as Chair of the University Facility Planning Board as well as assist with Classroom Committee, Public Art Committee and other committees as requested.
Provide PDC services to MSU's Auxiliary and Athletic Services, MSU's affiliated campuses, and the geographically dispersed Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations ( MAES ) on a request basis.
Work with Facilities Services and the State's Department of Architecture and Engineering to evaluate and improve MSU's Facility Condition Assessment process and Long-Range Building Program.
Coordinate with University stakeholders, Facilities Services' maintenance activities, Engineering & Utilities, and space needs to inform an effective capital planning process including maintaining an annual project maintenance list.
Proactively manage PDC budget through annual processes that establish clearly communicated priorities, a balanced approach, and transparency in accounting.
Assist with annual and biennial State government processes such as audits and legislative session preparation.
Participate in weekly and quarterly leadership meetings that ensure PDC is achieving the goals set forth by Facilities Management and the University.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor's degree in architecture, planning, engineering or related field,) ; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Experience in the development of an organization's vision, strategic plan and long-range plan while establishing and maintaining productive relationships with a wide-range of internal and external constituents which reflects a strong commitment to customer service.
Experience in communication of facility planning and construction issues with a variety of constituents including entities such as Commissioner of Higher Education, Legislators, Affiliated Campus Administrators, state and local agencies, etc. to defend and gain support for a full spectrum of issues.
Demonstrated experience and comprehensive knowledge of effectively leading an institutional organization; personnel management; budget and financial planning; and management of an institutional facilities planning or architectural operation.
Demonstrated experience working collaboratively within a multi-department unit, or similar.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Management experience in a governmental, college or university environment.
Masters degree in architecture, engineering, planning, public administration, business administration or related degree.
Registration as a Montana licensed architect or engineer or certification with American Institute of Certified Planners.
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing a facilities planning, project management, architectural or engineering operation, including management of a diverse staff of professionals and support staff:
The Successful Candidate Will
Possess the ability to provide leadership and assume responsibility for organizational and program activities.
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communications with the ability to present, persuade, defend and gain support for the full spectrum of campus facilities issues and to represent MSU to a wide variety of constituents.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and the ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with a diverse student body, faculty, staff and community.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on May 13, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
