The University of Central Florida

Description

ZRG has been engaged to recruit an Assistant Vice President for Planning, Design & Construction at University of Central Florida (UCF), one of the largest public universities in the United States, recognized for its strong research activity, innovation, and commitment to student success in the heart of Orlando.

For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image below.

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Position Summary:

UCF is seeking a high-character, forward-thinking Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Planning, Design & Construction who operates with a deep sense of urgency, thrives in a fast-moving and complex environment, and has the proven ability to manage constructionat scale. This role will lead a large, diverse portfolio of over $500 millionworth of capital projects that directly supports UCF’s mission and its academic, research, and student-facing units. UCF is not a conventional institution—and they are not searching for a conventional leader. They are looking for a candidate who blends strategic leadership with hands-on engagement, someone who not only oversees but owns the success of eachproject—and who serves as an authentic, active participant in all phases of planning, design, and construction.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

•  Provide strategic leadership, vision, and executive oversight for the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) department, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long‑range campus development goals.
• Direct and oversee all phases of capital and minor construction projects—including planning, design, contracting, execution, and delivery—ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within approved budgets.
• Steward the department’s financial and operational resources, including annual operating budget development, forecasting, staffing strategy, and portfolio‑wide workload management.
• Establish and maintain high‑level partnerships with campus planning, utilities/engineering, academic units, and administrative leadership to ensure coordinated execution and transparent communication.
• Oversee contract administration, procurement, and vendor selection for architectural, engineering, and construction services, ensuring competitive processes, timely renewals, and protection of university interests.
• Drive a culture of authenticity, accountability, and urgency across all stages of project delivery.
• Lead emergency and continuity functions for damage assessment and recovery operations as the ESF‑19 lead, including maintaining a Continuity of Operations Plan for critical PDC activities.
• Develop, implement, and present departmental performance metrics and data dashboards to senior leadership and the Board, using analytics to drive operational improvements and accountability.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high‑performing team of directors, managers, and professional staff, providing coaching, organizational development, and succession planning.

About Client:

University of Central Florida (UCF) isa dynamic, high-growth public research university located in Orlando, Florida, and one of the largest institutions of higher education in the United States. Established in 1963 to support the nation’s space program, UCF has evolved into a comprehensive metropolitan university serving more than 60,000 students across multiple campuses. Its scale, momentum, and strong regional partnershipsposition the university as a central driver of innovation, talent development, and economic impact in Central Florida.

The Facilities and Business Operations at UCF is dedicated to fostering a conducive educational environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. They are committed to excellence, providing unparalleled expertise, and maintaining a world-class standard in service.

Location: 

Orlando, FL

Requirements

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors and 10+ years of leadership experience and 10 years within this field; or High School Diploma (or equivalent) and 14 years of leadership experience in lieu of degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience managing large‑scale capital improvement programs or complex facilities portfolios within complex organizations.
• Professional credentials strongly preferred (e.g., PE, RA, PMP, CCM, LEED AP). Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing teams, including oversight of directors, managers, and complex organizational structures.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, design management, construction delivery, project controls, and portfolio oversight.
• Advanced knowledge of architectural/engineering and construction procurement, including development, negotiation, and administration of A/E contracts, construction contracts, solicitations, and continuing services agreements.
• Proven ability to design and use data‑driven metrics and automated reporting tools to track performance, increase operational efficiency, and communicate results to executive leadership and governing boards.
• Strong history of coordinating long‑range planning, infrastructure development, and cross‑department collaboration with planning and engineering units.
• Experience leading emergency response, business continuity planning, or post‑incident facilities assessment within a university, municipal, or critical infrastructure setting.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills, with the ability to present complex information to executives, board members, and diverse campus constituencies.
• Familiarity with project management systems, portfolio management platforms, and automated reporting or analytics tools.