Assistant Vice President – Campus Planning and Design, University Architect

• Lead the continued evolution of the Campus Planning and Design program, including governance, standards, processes, and partnerships


• Serve as principal steward for planning, design, and physical development of campus facilities, grounds, and landscapes


• Direct development, implementation, and updates of the campus master plan


• Establish and maintain architectural, landscape, and urban design standards


• Lead consultant selection, design review, and planning processes for major capital projects


• Advise executive leadership, deans, academic and administrative units, and project teams on campus planning and design


• Evaluate and advise on five- and ten-year capital plans, project prioritization, sequencing, campus impacts, and long-range development


• Build relationships and influence decision‑making across the university community, trustees, donors, and external stakeholders


• Lead cross‑functional teams, resolve complex planning challenges, build consensus, and facilitate decisions


• Communicate plans, priorities, and project outcomes through forums, presentations, and stakeholder engagement


• Lead, develop, and mentor staff


• Monitor trends, best practices, regulations, and innovations in higher education planning, architecture, sustainability, and campus development


• Identify and advance projects addressing deferred maintenance and preservation of physical assets


• Oversee departmental operations, budgets, resource planning, and financial performance


• Present planning recommendations, campus development strategies, master plan updates, and project analyses to executive leadership, committees, and the Board of Trustees


• Collaborate on communications, fundraising, donor engagement, and external relations related to campus development and capital projects

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture from an accredited institution


• Professional licensure as a Registered Architect


• 4+ years of professional experience in planning and design, including facilities, grounds, and campus development projects


• Commitment to design excellence, stewardship of the built environment, and institutional planning objectives


• Ability to lead, develop, and mentor high‑performing teams


• Experience leading complex, high‑impact projects with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities


• Exceptional written, verbal, visual, and presentation communication skills


• Comprehensive understanding of higher education operations, governance, and institutional priorities


• Success building relationships, influencing outcomes, and leading cross‑functional teams


• Ability to prepare executive- and board‑level materials from complex technical, financial, and strategic information


• Political savvy, diplomacy, resilience, sound judgment, and consensus‑building ability


• Ability to manage stressful situations and critical issues, meet demanding deadlines, and collaborate while receiving direction from multiple leaders


• Ability and willingness to access tunnels, rooftops, construction sites, and all university spaces


• Consistent on‑site presence and ability to report to campus during emergencies or crises


• Advanced degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Design, Landscape Architecture, or related field preferred


• Ten years of progressively responsible higher education planning, design, and capital project experience preferred


• Senior leadership experience in a complex higher education institution preferred


• Active architectural licensure and AIA membership preferred


• Campus master planning, historic preservation, sustainability, and built‑environment stewardship experience preferred


• Proficiency with architectural design, planning, visualization, and graphic communication tools preferred


• Experience presenting recommendations and project updates to executive leadership and governing boards preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in campus planning, design, and development, with a strong focus on architectural standards, stakeholder engagement, and project management. Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and mentor staff while navigating complex institutional environments.

Highest‑signal resume keywords

• Registered Architect Licensure


• Campus Master Planning


• Higher Education Planning


• Project Management


• Stakeholder Engagement

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Architectural Design


• Urban Planning


• Landscape Architecture


• Capital Project Management


• Facilities Planning


• Design Standards Development


• Visual Communication


• Strategic Planning


• Budget Management


• Sustainability Practices

Soft Skills

• Leadership


• Consensus Building


• Communication


• Relationship Building


• Political Savvy

Certifications & Qualifications

• AIA Membership


• Professional Licensure as a Registered Architect

Industry Keywords

• Higher Education Operations


• Governance


• Institutional Planning


• Deferred Maintenance


• Historic Preservation

Tools & Technologies

• Graphic Communication Tools


• Planning Visualization Tools