Director of Capital Planning & Institutional Projects

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of Capital Planning & Institutional Projects provides leadership and administrative oversight for the College’s capital construction, renovation, and institutional project initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, this position ensures effective capital planning, project execution, and long-range infrastructure strategy while also overseeing the operational and financial administration of the Student Home Construction Program. The role supports the advancement of emerging campus initiatives by assisting in project scoping, feasibility planning, and positioning projects for implementation through public and private funding strategies.

Examples of Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide administrative oversight for capital construction, renovation, and deferred maintenance projects.
• Develop and manage project programming, budgeting, procurement, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, codes, and institutional policies.
• Oversee preparation of specifications, schedules, and public solicitations (IFB, RFP, RFQ, QBS).
• Monitor contractor and vendor performance to ensure adherence to quality, budget, and timeline expectations.
• Serve as liaison with architects, engineers, insurers, legal counsel, and external consultants.
• Advise senior leadership on capital priorities aligned with institutional strategy.
• Support development and maintenance of long-range capital planning frameworks and financial forecasting models.
• Provide administrative leadership and operational oversight of the Student Home Construction Program in partnership with the faculty lead.
• Oversee budgeting, purchasing, scheduling, documentation, compliance, and financial tracking for each home build cycle.
• Coordinate procurement processes and ensure adherence to institutional purchasing standards.
• Support permitting, insurance documentation, and regulatory requirements related to residential construction.
• Develop financial models and cost-control strategies to strengthen long-term program sustainability.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with building material suppliers, tool manufacturers and distributors, equipment providers, contractors, and skilled trades vendors.
• Negotiate preferred pricing agreements, multi-year vendor relationships, and in-kind contributions of materials, tools, and equipment.
• Establish brand-aligned industry partnerships that enhance instructional quality and create sponsorship visibility opportunities.
• Support equipment lifecycle planning to ensure students are trained using current, industry-standard tools and technologies.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for vendors and industry partners to support the Student Home Construction Program through sponsorships, material donations, and strategic investment.
• Collaborate with the Office of Advancement to identify and support funding opportunities that offset construction costs, including sponsorships, corporate gifts, and grants.
• Assist senior leadership in identifying, scoping, and advancing future campus initiatives and institutional projects.
• Develop preliminary cost models, sequencing strategies, and feasibility assessments for emerging projects.
• Support preparation of materials for executive review, board consideration, and funding advocacy.
• Maintain compliance with all College policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Serve on cross-functional institutional committees as assigned.
• Represent the College in professional, industry, and community forums as appropriate.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of capital planning processes and documentation standards.
• Support institutional emergency or operational response needs as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all College policies and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• May supervise assigned project staff or support personnel as designated.
• Oversees workflow related to capital projects and institutional initiatives.
• Provides direction, guidance, and coordination across internal teams and external project partners.
• Performs other supervisory responsibilities as assigned.

Typical Qualifications:

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong financial management and budget forecasting skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in construction management and capital planning processes.
• Experience interpreting and negotiating construction contracts.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic external partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related project management software.
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a safe work environment.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in construction management, capital planning, or large-scale project oversight required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of leadership or supervisory experience required.
• Experience managing multiple complex construction or institutional projects simultaneously required.
• Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• Licensed Architect, Professional Engineer, or Construction Management certification preferred.
• Experience in higher education or public-sector capital projects preferred.
• Experience supporting projects funded through public appropriations, grants, or philanthropy preferred.

Supplemental Information:

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance.
• Work environment includes both office settings and active construction sites.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• May require walking construction sites, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting of materials (up to 25–50 pounds).
• Must be able to communicate clearly in person and via telephone.
• This position may be designated as “Essential.” In the event of a campus emergency, special event, or closure to maintain campus safety or building operations, this position may be required to work outside of regularly scheduled hours.
• Noise levels may vary from low (office) to moderate (construction environments).

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment: 

• Completion of required College onboarding and compliance trainings.
• Additional safety training may be required related to construction site access.
• Valid driver’s license may be required.
• Successful completion of background checks in accordance with College policy.

\nCompany Description

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an acclaimed residential two-year college accepting students from throughout the state of Pennsylvania as well as veterans, members of the armed forces, and their families. As an accredited technical college, we are dedicated to preparing students for high-demand careers with family-thriving wages.

Founded as Stevens Trade School in 1905, the school was initially a public institution for orphans of the state who learned a trade combined with academic education. It was begun based on a bequest in the will of Thaddeus Stevens, a statesman who dedicated his life to creating access to education and equity among those who faced injustice.

Today, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology offers two-year associate degrees in 24 programs to more than 1,400 students. In addition, the college offers four nine-month certificate programs. At its Workforce and Economic Development Center, the College features several short-term trainings in partnership with Tec Centro, along with continuing education and professional development options.

Company Description

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an acclaimed residential two-year college accepting students from throughout the state of Pennsylvania as well as veterans, members of the armed forces, and their families. As an accredited technical college, we are dedicated to preparing students for high-demand careers with family-thriving wages.\r\n\r\nFounded as Stevens Trade School in 1905, the school was initially a public institution for orphans of the state who learned a trade combined with academic education. It was begun based on a bequest in the will of Thaddeus Stevens, a statesman who dedicated his life to creating access to education and equity among those who faced injustice.\r\n\r\nToday, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology offers two-year associate degrees in 24 programs to more than 1,400 students. In addition, the college offers four nine-month certificate programs. At its Workforce and Economic Development Center, the College features several short-term trainings in partnership with Tec Centro, along with continuing education and professional development options.