Senior Director Capital Improvements

Job Family Group:

Department/Office:

Time Type:

Compensation:

Please note, starting salaries are based on factors including internal equity, relevant experience, and education.

Exemption Status:

Job Description:

• Capital Program Leadership - Directs the planning, design, and construction of all capital projects (minor, intermediate, and major). Provides executive oversight of scope, cost, schedule, quality, and risk management. Ensures alignment with Trinity's Strategic Plan, Campus Master Plan, and Decision Quality Framework.

• Policy & Program Management - Serves as the accountable leader for the Capital Projects Policy. Develops, maintains, and enforces the Capital Projects Program Management Plan to establish consistent standards, processes, and documentation for project delivery.

• Planning, Design, & Construction Oversight - Provides executive direction to internal staff and external consultants (architects, engineers, contractors, cost estimators, and specialty consultants). Ensures that design and construction quality meet University standards, regulatory requirements, and long-term maintainability. Oversees campus planning and implementation of the Campus Master Plan, including wayfinding, site lighting, and landscape improvements. Guides stewardship of the National Register Historic District, ensuring compliance with design guidelines and coordination with the Texas Historic Commission.

• Governance & Stakeholder Engagement - Facilitates project governance processes, ensuring appropriate charters, approvals, and phase-gate reviews. Engages stakeholders across the University and provides transparent communication of project progress, issues, and risks.

• Financial Stewardship - Manages capital budgets in coordination with Finance and Treasury, ensuring responsible stewardship of University resources. Oversees cost estimating, reconciliations, variance analyses, and financial closeout of projects.

• Supervision & Leadership - Provides leadership, direction, and evaluation for direct reports (Director of Campus Planning & Project Development and Construction Project Managers). Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience, and integrity to provide professional leadership during emergencies.

• Participates in ongoing continuing education with APPA, IFMA, and/or their associated regional and statewide bodies.

• Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines.

• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION

Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, facilities management, construction management, business administration, or a related field.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in in engineering, facilities management, construction management, business administration, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Twelve years of progressively responsible leadership experience in capital planning, design, and construction, with significant responsibility for large-scale and complex projects.

• Demonstrated expertise in project management, consultant/contractor oversight, and budget/schedule accountability.

• Experience managing professional staff and multidisciplinary project teams.

Preferred:

• Fourteen years of leadership experience in higher education, healthcare, or other complex institutional settings.

• Experience with historic preservation, master planning, and shared governance environments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Demonstrated leadership in capital planning, design, and construction for institutional settings.

• Expertise in applying project management competencies (scope, cost, schedule, risk, quality, contracts, stakeholder engagement).

• Knowledge of procurement and contracting practices, including qualifications-based selection (QBS) and AIA contract administration.

• Knowledge of higher education facility planning, master planning, and historic preservation.

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Skilled communicator with the ability to present complex issues clearly to executives, boards, and campus stakeholders.

• Commitment to continuous professional development and adherence to industry best practices.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

• Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent credential.

Preferred:

• Advanced certifications in project or facilities management (e.g., APPA CEFP, IFMA FMP, LEED AP).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides leadership and supervision to a department of 3-4 direct reports, including the Director of Campus Planning & Project Development and two Construction Project Managers, as well as indirect support staff.

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS

3-4

NUMBER OF INDIRECT REPORTS

5-10

DECISION MAKING

Plans and performs complex work where only general policies or procedures are available.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for budget and expenditure authority of department.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for capital budgets exceeding $100M across multiple projects and fiscal years.