Director of Planning & Architecture

The Director of Planning and Architecture will work under the supervision by the Senior Director of Planning and Architecture in the Planning and Architecture unit of Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate (JHFRE). This role is responsible for oversight and guidance of Planning and Architecture unit Architects and Senior Architects for campus, building, directing space planning and design efforts for the university, contributing to and updating JHU Guidelines and Standards for buildings, interior fit outs, landscape design, campus development, and when requested, providing high level presentations to Divisional and University Senior Leadership.

The Director is also responsible for oversight of review of work by outside consultants to ensure conformance with the intended program, project scope and budget, adherence to JHU Guidelines and Standards, industry best practices, and design compatibility/respect for the JHU Homewood Campus, or a variety of other locations including the East Baltimore campus, the Peabody campus, and properties in Downtown Baltimore, Washington DC, Montgomery County, and international locations.

Project size and scope includes aesthetic and best practices guidance of renewal projects, feasibility studies, interior fit outs, existing facility renovations and additions, new construction, and long-range precinct and campus land use plans. When directed by the Senior Director, the Director will be empowered to speak for the Planning & Architecture Unit to determine if in-house or consultant work adheres to university Guidelines and Standards, policies, and/or best practices, and therefore may proceed without further review.

The Director will serve as an in-house authority on planning efforts and architectural design solutions (aesthetics, materials, systems, products, etc.) for university Real Estate, Plant Operations and Design & Construction units, division representatives, other stakeholders, and with outside consultants to ensure design and construction work conforms to university standards and sound architectural practice.

The responsibilities include project leadership of feasibility studies and conceptual design for exploration/validation of a project for presentation to Trustees, leadership and guidance for procurement of design consultants; advisory participation throughout the planning and design process; owner review of programming, planning, design and construction documents prepared for the university by outside consultants; participation in construction oversight for adherence to design intent and industry best practices; and development of policies, procedures, standards and process improvements.

The Director will work directly with the JHFRE/Design & Construction department's project managers who are responsible for overall management of projects authorized by JHFRE Leadership, Senior Leadership, and Trustees. University project clients include a broad constituency of JHU Deans, Vice Provosts, Department Chairs, Faculty, Researchers, Senior Administrators, and Trustees. The Director will collaborate with other unit architects and engineers to provide comprehensive oversight of issues regarding planning, design, adherence to best industry practices, and adherence to JHU Guidelines and Standards throughout all phases of project delivery.

The Director will initiate, execute, and/or oversee programming and planning efforts carried out by unit Architects and Senior Architects in support of Capital Plan development and implementation, as well as strategic campus plan development and implementation in support of overall campus development (i.e. storm water management master plan, maintenance investments, accessibility planning, sustainability initiatives for campus, space utilization, space standards, classroom design, laboratory design, etc.). This role will work with the Senior Director to coordinate unit team assignments and unit scheduling of resources and work closely with the Design & Construction Director of Operations to assign staff on an ongoing basis. The Director will provide mentorship and guidance to unit Architects and Senior Architects.

From time to time, where the utilization of internal resources is merited due to the nature and scope of the assignment, the Director will undertake and oversee documentation by Architects and Senior Architects for minor repairs, revisions, interior finish and furniture upgrades for efforts that do not require review, approval and permitting with the municipal Authorities Having Jurisdiction.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• With limited supervision and support of the Senior Director of Planning & Architecture, direct and oversee the work of Senior Architects, Architects, and consultants assigned to university projects.
  
• With limited supervision and support of the Senior Director of Planning & Architecture, determine if renovations, space reconfiguration, or repurposing assignments requested by a client will require permitting through the municipal Authorities Having Jurisdiction and whether or not a licensed and insured professional design and/or engineering consultant is required.
  
• Independently reviews existing facilities conditions assessments reports to determine adequacy of existing facilities to support a client’s requests, including life expectancy of critical building systems. Evaluate the need for further exploration by outside consultants such as MEP/FP engineers or envelope forensics specialists.
  
• Perform technical analyses of existing building architectural systems to inform recommendations regarding design, functionality, performance, and universal accessibility. Evaluate capability of space to support a proposed use, landscape design, and site work.
  
• As an ongoing responsibility, work with JHU stakeholders, JHFRE/Design and Construction, Real Estate, Plant Operations, fellow P&A staff and external consultants or experts as required to contribute to and update JHU Guidelines and Standards.
  
• Participate and provide guidance in design and construction progress meetings with JHFRE consultants to assure adherence to intended scope of work, budget, industry best practices, and JHU Guidelines and Standards, as well as JHU policies, aesthetic appropriateness within the campus context, and alignment with the approved Capital Plan and Master Plan.
  
• Provide owner’s review of consultant’s design and construction documents. Working with the D&C PM, provide owner’s review of submittals, including processing paperwork through PMWeb, throughout the CA phase for key design elements important to the mission of the work.
  
• Interface with JHFRE/Plant Operations personnel in recommending the most appropriate design solutions, addressing accessibility, durability, financial sustainability, architectural appropriateness, and landscape architecture appropriateness.
  
• Review construction work progress on construction sites for compliance with design intent, adherence with JHU Guidelines and Standards, and industry best practices. Assist D&C PM when required with resolving discrepancies and disputes that arise during the construction process.
  
• Work with the Senior Director of Planning & Architecture, D&C Senior Program Manager, D&C Director of Operations, and D&C project managers to continually critique and improve JHFRE design and delivery process efficiencies. Recommend process improvements. Be a proactive resource to internal staff in their decision-making processes and in the development of technically sound planning and design solutions.
  
• Serve as liaison to JHFRE/Information Systems and advise on development of project and building information management systems (i.e. PMWeb, GIS, COBie/BIM, EDM for digital archive, Archibus, etc.). Work with the Senior Leadership, divisional representatives, JHFRE/Plant Operations, and government officials to guide and oversee the development and implementation of campus-based planning initiatives.
  
• Work with the JHFRE/ Sustainability and university constituents to champion progress on the university's sustainability initiatives with respect to Capital Plan development and assets. Evaluate projects for compliance with the Sustainability Master Plan.
  
• Lead other planning and design related tasks and initiatives of strategic importance to the university as well as related data gathering and analysis, research, presentation preparation, facility surveys, and other ad hoc efforts as assigned by the Senior Director of Planning & Architecture.
  
• On a limited basis, for projects that may be classified as deferred maintenance, cosmetic upgrades, or minor interior reconfigurations; and do not require professional seals or acquisition of permits by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, provide complete design services including programming, planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents, furniture specifications, bid, and construction administration phase services.
  
• Coordinate with civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, landscape, technology and other design and engineering disciplines as required.

Targeted Job Functions (as assigned)

• Work with the Office of Institutional Equity to identify, prioritize, and implement ongoing accessibility improvement projects.
  
• In partnership with the assigned D&C Associate Director, manage ongoing stormwater management master plan implementation, tracking, and reporting.
  
• Provide guidance with organization and distribution of correspondence by the Space Allocation Committee including tracking space utilization and needs, facilitating meetings, preparing or securing consultants to perform space studies, and reporting.
  
• Interface with the University Space System Administrator (D&C position) to ensure space changes are being accurately tracked in Archibus so as to provide an always current inventory of all JHU owned or leased assets.
  
• Interface with the D&C GIS Team to assure all information documented is current. Assure GIS capability is continually leveraged to advance and improve JHU’s understanding of all relevant data points documented with an emphasis on projected space needs, space availability, and deficiencies that need to be addressed.

Scope of Responsibility

• Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for P&A responsibilities on projects as directed by the Senior Director. For projects where P&A leadership is delegated to the Director, assume responsibility for progress presentations to Divisional and University Leadership.
  
• Provide managerial oversight and mentorship to P&A Senior Architects and Architects under direct supervision.
  
• Work with the Senior Director to orchestrate resource management for P&A unit staff assignments.
  
• Attend and contribute to regularly scheduled project update meetings with the JHFRE Vice President.
  
• Manage, participate, guide and review planning efforts in support of the university’s Capital Plan.
  
• Interface with University Leadership and Departmental Leadership to define needs and scope of feasibility studies.
  
• Oversee high level space planning “test fits” for a variety of academic, laboratory, administration, and student spaces to evaluate feasibility of proposed locations; evaluate scope for appropriateness of use of JHFRE in house resources, or design consultant.
  
• Lead development of RFP’s for feasibility/concept design proposals. Participate in selection of firms to be offered the RFP.
  
• Participate in interview/selection process for design consultant. Support D&C with scope of work definition, fee allocation, and contracting process with selected consultant.
  
• Provide oversight for design consultants during the feasibility study/concept design process; support D&C Associate Director and when required project manager assigned as day to day, single point of contact between design consultant and JHFRE.
  
• Attend design presentations, product reviews, mockup reviews and when directed act as the university’s authority regarding aesthetics and compliance with project design goals and intent, and JHU Guidelines and Standards.
  
• Support D&C Associate Directors and project managers with technical review of consultant deliverables (program, space utilization reports, concept, schematic design, design development, construction document packages). Oversee review of contractor submittals for compliance with design intent and JHU Guidelines and Standards, support D&C with owner’s response to field correspondence. Periodically review work in the field with JHU D&C project manager as a member of owner’s representative team.
  
• Oversee existing conditions surveys, existing FFE inventory, programming, planning, design, and documentation responsibilities for small projects within the JHU institution not requiring professional seals or permitting by the AHJ.
  
• Contribute to the ongoing development and updating of JHU Guidelines and Standards
  

Decision Making

• Prepare and when requested present information for recommendations to guide decision making by JHU Divisional Leadership, JHU Senior Leadership and Trustees.
  
• Provides critique and direction to JHFRE project managers, consultant design teams, Plant Operations and other JHU constituents on program validation, architectural design materials, furniture, systems, solutions and standards in support of sound economic and architectural design principles.
  
• Carries out duties and responsibilities with limited to no supervision. Makes decisions and establishes work priorities on complex, problem-solving operations.
  

Authority

• Supervision of Architects and Senior Architects working on multiple projects.
  
• Responsibility for assigning Architects and Senior Architects on projects as directed by the Senior Director of Planning & Architecture.
  
• Mentorship of Planning and Architecture unit staff.
  

Communication

• Exchanges routine and non-routine information with all levels within the JHU organization, including Senior Leadership, JHFRE Leadership, colleagues, and staff.
  
• Corresponds with individuals at peer institutions and vendors using effective oral and written communication skills, tact, and persuasion as appropriate.
  
• Builds camaraderie and alliances with a wide range of JHU constituents, and has a collaborative, inclusive, mentoring style of working well with others.
  
• Possesses the ability to communicate graphically through sketching, drafting and marking up drawings.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams of which there is no formal authority.
• Ability to plan and schedule the work of others.
  
• Ability to lead by example and inspire confidence.
  
• Ability to work well under pressure, can handle and delegate workload effectively.
  
• Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise.

Independence

• Ability to establish priorities, assign project workload, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
  
• Able to work independently with little to no supervision.
  

Other

• Exhibit leadership qualities, including clear, authoritative, and timely decision making.
• Ability to forecast workload and timeline required when assigning projects to P&A staff.
  
• Keen attention to detail and an aptitude for problem solving.
  
• Able to proactively address potential issues.
  
• Able to thrive in a high-volume, deadline-driven work environment.
  
• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, collegial, and consensus-building relationship with colleagues based on competence, trust, and respect.
  
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex material in a useful and understandable fashion to diverse audiences.
  
• Strategic thinker with proven analytical and organizational skills.
  
• Commitment to the mission of the University, customer service, and best practices in planning, design, and construction.
  
• Knowledge of building services and envelope technology, systems, control systems, sustainable practice, operating environments, and commissioning processes.
  
• Knowledge of design and construction procurement models including design/bid/build, construction management at risk (CMAR), design/build, and third-party developer project delivery.
  
• Knowledge of building interior systems and performance of finishes in commercial and institutional environments.
  
• Knowledge of the furniture industry including specification, sourcing, installation, and maintenance.
  
• Knowledge and experience with developing accurate project cost budgets and cost impact reports.
  
• Ability to build comprehensive reports for data within spreadsheet and database systems.
  
• Ability to produce accurate, timely delivery of complex materials.
  
• Flexibility to work with last minute changes.
  

Physical Requirements

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to climb ladders, move around construction sites, and navigate tight spaces typically found in mechanical, electrical, and utility rooms.
  
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
  
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hands(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
  
• Communication skills using spoken and written word.
  
• Ability to see within normal parameters.
  
• Ability to hear within normal range.
  
• Ability to move about.
  

Supervisory responsibility

• Supervises 5-6 positions: Associate Director, Senior Architects, Architects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional Degree in Architecture.
• Professional Architect license in the State of Maryland or a state with reciprocity.
• Twenty years’ experience in architectural planning and design work; experience with construction and renovation of a broad variety of building types, mechanical and electrical systems, and construction delivery methods, and a thorough understanding of architectural and engineering drawings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Architecture.
• LEED Accredited Professional
• Strong architectural technology skill base. fGoogle SketchUp, Photoshop, Bluebeam, and other graphics programs.
• Experience managing teams of 4 or more individuals.
• Ability to use MS Office, AutoCAD and Revit.

Classified Title: Director Planning & Architecture
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Planning & Architecture
Role/Level/Range: L/05/LH
Starting Salary Range: $126,000 - $220,800 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid: On-site 3-4 days a week
Department name: 10001607-Planning & Architecture
Personnel area: University Administration