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Director Design & Construction

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Position Number: 6547364
Location: Denver, CO
Position Type: Facilities Management

Director Design & Construction

University of Colorado Denver

Director Design & Construction-37671

University Staff

Description

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Engineering & Architecture Director
Working Title: Director of Design and Construction
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $148,000-$153,000
Position #00758483- Requisition #37671

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *
The Director of Design and Construction (The Director) for the University of Colorado Denver Campus is a senior staff member of the Office of the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Facilities Management and Planning.

The Director is responsible for providing leadership, and technical and design expertise in all design and construction-related matters. The position provides leadership, direction, consultation, and coordination on issues related to design and construction and is responsible for overseeing CU Denver's active design and construction portfolio. The Director is also charged with ensuring university compliance with the regulations and requirements of the University of Colorado System Office, the State of Colorado, and other external authorities related to design and construction matters and will serve as the CU Denver delegate to the Office of the State Architect. The Director will also serve as chair of the Denver Campus signage committee.

The Director directly and indirectly manages project architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, and student employees. The Director also develops and implements process improvements that streamline workflow in coordination with other units, and implements policies and procedures based on direction provided by institutional leadership, the CU System Office, or entities within State of Colorado including the Office of the State Architect.

Additionally, the Director serves as a representative for CU Denver on various internal and external boards and committees and participates in university and State-level process and policy development.

The Director exercises indirect management of project managers from the Auraria Higher Education Center and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus as well as potential direct supervision of student employees and privately contracted project managers. The position also exercises supervision of consultant teams in planning, design, construction, estimating, code review, and others as applicable.

Director of Design and Construction
What you will do:
Design and Construction

Lead the initiation, approval, management, and tracking of CU Denver projects to ensure alignment with the approved project scope, schedule, and budget. This includes capital projects, which the Director will manage through project managers and/or third-party project management providers.

Work with staff from the Anschutz Medical Campus to periodically update the CU Anschutz/CU Denver design and construction specifications.

Develop (and update as needed) processes and procedures for clients (faculty, staff, students) and team members (project managers, outside contractors, colleagues from other units) that clearly communicates roles, responsibilities, cost thresholds, timelines and other pertinent information related to the initiation, funding, procurement, budgeting, estimating, and management of CU Denver projects. Ensure that the processes and procedures align with the strategic priorities of CU Denver.

Oversee the review of design and construction documents to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and specifications.

Represent Design and Construction in the preparation of the annual Deferred maintenance request.

Oversee the project estimating function for CU Denver

Serve as the State Buildings Delegate with signature authority. In this role, the Director ensures that CU Denver and its vendors and partners meet the statutory, policy, rule, regulation, guideline, and other requirements of the State Building Program (SBP) administered by the Office of the State Architect. This includes the following:
oThe administration of construction projects.
oLead the procurement of consultant services including, but not limited to, architects, engineers, and contractors including the preparation of scopes of work, RFQs, and RFPs. Provide leadership and oversight of the consultant selection process in accordance with SBP policy.
oLead the creation and submission of the annual controlled maintenance request to the Office of the State Architect
oOversee the management of consultants, which support the University, in planning, design, construction, estimating, code review and other areas.
oDevelop and maintain internal standards and procedures through administrative, design, and construction activities that align with SBP requirements.
oEnsure project delivery and reporting methods are consistent with University of Colorado and SBP policy.
oAssist in dispute resolution with consultants and contractors and assist others in the claims and appeals process as needed.

Serve as the Facilities Management and Planning representative on committees related to design and construction as assigned. Committees and/or groups may include, but are not limited to, The Auraria Campus Planning Committee, the CU System Facilities Director's Meeting.

Act as Chair of the CU Denver Signage Committee and update the CU Denver signage policy periodically as needed.

Prepare and present information related to project, planning, and design activities to various internal and external constituents as requested. This could include, but is not limited to, CU Denver leadership, The Auraria Board of Directors, and the University of Colorado Board of Regents.

Oversee the development and updating of various Memorandums of Understanding(MOU) with other agencies such as Denver Fire Department.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

A bachelor's degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related eld from an accredited institution.

Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in design and construction or project management, including a minimum of three (3) years of experience supervising or managing project managers.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

Experience working with or for a Colorado institution of higher education or another state entity.

Familiarity with the Office of the State Architect (OSA) state delegate role the associated rules and procedures.

Experience with cost estimating

Experience using Kahua or a similar project management software

Experience with construction methods, building codes, and standards from an architectural and construction perspective, including ADA regulations

Experience utilizing lean construction principles in project management.

Experience writing and reviewing design and construction contract documents.

Experience in identifying and resolving complex issues, setting institutional policy, and assisting or acting on behalf of institutional administrators.

Experience working with owners representatives and/or managing third party project managers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Extensive knowledge of design and construction principles specic to a higher education environment.

Extensive knowledge of and experience in major design, and construction projects.

Strong working knowledge of various delivery models for construction projects, the pros and cons of each, and how these models align with projects of varying types.

Commitment to process improvement and change management.

Working knowledge of the State of Colorado's architect, consultant, and construction selection process and various construction delivery methods or ability to learn

Innovative leadership with the ability to be forward-thinking.

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain eective working relationships with a variety of persons and entities, internal and external to the organization.

Ability to balance competing interests and to lead, and be a part of, difficult conversations.

Ability to work eectively as part of a team.

Ability to lead and manage multiple team members in a high-performance environment.

Committed to, and skilled in, collaboration, community engagement, and consensus building within a broad and diverse range of interest groups.

Ability to communicate eectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to serve eectively in both a leadership and coordinating role.

Considerable knowledge of budget preparation.

Ability to prioritize and simultaneously manage multiple projects.

Conditions of Employment

This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is important for those activities in which workers must impart oral information to clients or to the public, and in those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly

Determining time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken on the basis of analysis of data. May include prioritizing multiple responsibilities and/or accomplishing them simultaneously.

Talking with and/or listening to and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions.

Dealing with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, congenial, personal manner so as not to alienate or antagonize them.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu .

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $ 148,000 - $153,000
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by September 25, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications

A current CV/resume

List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Tawnya Bouiler, tawnya.boulier@ucdenver.edu

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Additional Attachments - Refer to Application Materials Instructions Below

Job Category: Engineering and Architecture/Physical Science and Engineering

Primary Location: Denver

Department: U0001 -- Anschutz Med Campus or Denver - 30274 - ADM-Planning Office - Denver

Schedule: Full-time

Posting Date: Sep 4, 2025

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Posting Contact Name: Tawnya Boulier

Posting Contact Email: Tawnya.Boulier@UCDenver.edu

Position Number: 00758483

To apply, please visit: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=37671&lang=en