Wellesley College

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director for Planning, Design & Construction for Wellesley College.  

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

Position:

The Director for Planning, Design and Construction (Director) provides leadership and direction for facilities planning, design and construction on campus, and the timely, successful and on-budget delivery of all construction and renovation projects. The Director draws on technical expertise as well as exemplary communication and organizational skills to execute projects that support the College's mission of educating women who will make a difference in the world.

The Director reports to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning (AVP) and together with the AVP works closely with college leadership, other constituencies within Wellesley College, and key partners in the town of Wellesley. The Director works closely with the Facilities Director of Operations and Director for Energy, Infrastructure & Chief Sustainability Officer to ensure projectplanning and delivery integrates the team's deep knowledge of campus infrastructure and building functionality. The Director is responsible for maximizing the impact of Wellesley's on-going investment in campus renewal, infrastructure improvement, and sustainability.

Primary Position Responsibilties:

Strengthening Wellesley's Capability to Deliver Exceptional Projects

• Lead campus planning program and project feasibility studies in collaboration with the AVP and College leaders and manage a program that enhances the physical spaces and supports the College's mission.
• Deliver exceptional projects by upholding the unique character and quality of Wellesley's historic campus, by considering buildings and landscapes as integrated parts of the whole, and by using design strategies that contribute to Wellesley's distinctive sense of place.
• Deliver all projects under budget and on schedule.
• Promote sustainability in the built habitat, and integrate facilities operational requirements to enhance life-cycle of buildings and systems.
• Work effectively with other members of the Facilities leadership team to ensure integration of project planning with existing conditions and planned operational improvements.
• Support the leadership of the fundraising team in their efforts to raise gifts to fund the campus renewal priorities that are part of the College's capital campaign.

Financial Management

• Develop realistic project budgets and effectively communicate regarding short term and long-term budget priorities developed in conjunction with the AVP.
• Develop creative ideas to optimize project costs, find synergies within various sources of funding, and enhance value. Clearly communicate program and operational trade-offs to support decision-making.
• Work closely with the AVP and the Facilities and College Finance and Budget Offices to strengthen coordination of financial planning for the capital program.

Communications Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication between architects and campus constituencies throughout the process of architect selection, design and construction.
• Communicate the priorities and core values of Wellesley campus renewal plans to external and internal audiences.

Administrative & Leadership Responsibilities

• Manage the office of planning, design and construction team, oversee the office's operating budget, and forecast resource needs.
• Lead a team of assistant directors, project managers, and staff, and ensure effective performance.
• Be part of the on-call rotation with other Facilities managers and respond to campus emergencies if needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Performance Profile

• Delivery of projects to the satisfaction of Trustees, Executive Leaders, and college community.
• Delivery of all projects under budget and on schedule.
• Delivery of projects that integrate sustainability performance, operational requirements, and enhance life-cycle of facilities.
• Effective communication with the campus community.
• Effective leadership of staff, including the ability to set expectations and manage priorities and to create clear direction and follow through to ensure achievement and accountability in the face of competing demands
• Promote engagement and collaboration within the Facilities department.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Assistant Director of Planning and Design
• Director of Project Management
• Assistant Contract Administrator

About Wellesley:

Wellesley College, a private women's liberal arts institution, was founded in 1870 by Pauline and Henry Fowle Durant. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, approximately 12 miles west of Boston, the college officially commenced classes in 1875. Wellesley is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to empowering women through education. As of the 2024–2025 academic year, the college enrolled 2,310 students.

The college offers over 50 departmental and interdepartmental majors, including popular fields such as economics, computer science, psychology, political science, biological sciences, neuroscience,mathematics, and English. Wellesley maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of 7.5:1, fostering close interactions between students and professors. The college also provides opportunities for cross-registration with institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brandeis University,Babson College, and Olin College of Engineering.

Wellesley College is known for its picturesque 500-acre campus, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. The campus features many iconic buildings as well as a state-of-the-art Science Complex and four residential neighborhoods as part of its 2.5 million square feet of building space.

Additionally, the college boasts a rich history of graduating influential alumnae, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and well-known broadcast journalist Diane Sawyer, who have made significant contributions in various fields.

Location:

Wellesley, MA

Qualifications:

Education Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field required.
• Licensure as a professional architect or engineer preferred.

Experience Required

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in managing design and construction teams, including experience with large-scale projects and capital planning, is required.
• Relevant professional certification preferred, including Certified Construction Manager (CCM), LEED AP or PMP.
• Experience in higher education setting preferred.
• Experience in managing and mentoring direct reports preferred.

Skills & Abilities Required

• Demonstrated ability to oversee the work of a team managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Strong budget and financial skills.
• Experience with and knowledge of benchmarking, best practices, and continuous improvement processes related to design and construction departments and systems.
• Knowledge of building codes, ADA requirements, sustainability practices and knowledge of OSHA regulations; familiarity with Massachusetts regulations desirable.
• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative, service-oriented approach to work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engagement at all institutional levels and with a variety of constituencies.
• Deep understanding of both the service and stewardship roles of college facilities organizations.
• Computer familiarity and competence including experience with BIM, CAD, ProCore (or similar) software required.

Wellesley is engaged in a multi-year plan to renew and reinvigorate Wellesley's iconic and essential campus buildings. Projects will include major construction and renovation, alterations and repairs to upgrade systems and address deferred maintenance while also enhancing the functionality of historic buildings, investing in sustainability by converting building systems and investing in geothermal; and infrastructure-related projects to ensure the effective functioning of the campus. The projects will support the academic and residential experience at Wellesley. The integration of the landscape and the built environment is of high value to the Wellesley community, and excellent, cost-effective design makes a statement about these values, one that is communicated to both current and prospective students, to faculty and staff who work at theCollege, and to the alumnae who are committed to the mission of the institution.

Salary Range:

The pay range for the role is $154,000.00 - $180,000.00.

Apply today and take your first step toward a rewarding career with Wellesley College - where your unique strengths and success are celebrated as part of our shared commitment to inclusivity!

Wellesley College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals in hiring and advancement based on any legally protected status. Candidates who believe they can contribute to the College community are encouraged to apply.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.