Assistant Director – Planning, Design & Construction

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Planning, Design & Construction within the University Facilities Management (UFM) division of MSU. UFM is comprised of Facilities Services, Planning, Design & Construction, Engineering & Utilities, Safety & Risk Management, and Central Operations. University Facilities Management has dedicated support in the areas of Human Resources, Budget & Accounting, and Information Technology.

• Establish priorities with the Director and coordinate day‑to‑day operations with managers for the Project Delivery, Planning, and GIS teams.
• Support a mission‑oriented work culture and identify strategic opportunities for interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration.
• Develop, implement, and control division workload management and customer service; review division needs, prepare status reports, and develop related reports.
• Develop and revise policies related to service provision (e.g., priorities, scheduling, billing, communication, stakeholder engagement).
• Evaluate service effectiveness, meet with campus partners to improve customer service, and implement a quality assurance/control process for all projects and plans.
• Negotiate, hold accountable, and oversee contracts with architecture/engineering firms, construction contractors, and other service providers.
• Review work assignments, schedules, programs, and procedures; make improvements and direct project delivery milestones.
• Determine training needs and work with managers to develop or secure resources for training programs; manage supervisory, project delivery, and leadership training.
• Collaborate with the Director on policy, procedure, and goal changes; attend boards and committees as required.
• In the Director’s absence, handle general HR functions and staffing decisions and assist with hiring and onboarding.
• Serve as the principal representative to the Associate VP for UFM and university leadership when the Director is absent.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, planning, or a related field.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in planning, design, and construction.
• Progressive supervisory experience managing staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Detailed knowledge of project‑management principles and building‑construction technical knowledge.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software relevant to the position.

• Master’s or equivalent degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, architecture, construction management, planning, or a related field.
• Experience across multiple project‑delivery perspectives (owner’s representative, designer, builder).
• Experience with an integrated work‑management system for tracking project status and finances.
• Leadership experience overseeing operations and management.
• Experience at a public institution or similar setting.

• Prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Mentor staff through complex problem‑solving.
• Think creatively to address issues and model professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in a shared‑governance environment.
• Exercise sound judgment and decision‑making.
• Manage conflict professionally while maintaining relationships.
• Collaborate with multiple campus entities with a service‑minded attitude.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The final selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check.

This job description is a general description of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. It does not restrict Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

• Work in varying environments, including extremes of temperature and inclement weather, and around noise, dust, smells, and dirt.
• Move nimbly,…