Associate Director of Capital Projects

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Associate Director of Capital Projects.

Location:

Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi,

United States

Division:
Administration Physical Plant

Position Type:
Staff

Employment Status:
Full Time

Grant Funded:
No

Salary Range: 93,883.

Pay Grade: E17

Posting Close Date:
Open Until Filled

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

The Associate Director of Capital Projects will oversee the planning, budgeting, design, and construction of major capital improvements and renovations, ensuring projects align with the university’s academic mission, strategic goals, and sustainability initiatives. This role involves collaboration with internal stakeholders, external contractors, consultants, and state agencies to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of construction projects.

• Capital Project Oversight:
  The role involves managing the full life cycle of major capital projects, including academic buildings, residence halls, research facilities, and campus infrastructure.
• Budget & Contract Management:
  Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining detailed project budgets and schedules in compliance with the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and state procurement regulations.
• Leadership & Staff Supervision:
  The position supervises, and mentors project managers and support staff engaged in capital construction activities.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: A core duty is ensuring that all capital projects comply with federal, state, and local building codes, ADA requirements, and university policies.
• Campus & Stakeholder Coordination:
  The role emphasizes ongoing coordination with academic units, student affairs, and facilities operations to incorporate stakeholder input into project planning and execution.
• Sustainability & Innovation:
  Sustainability is a key focus, with efforts to promote environmentally responsible building practices, energy‑efficient systems, and the pursuit of LEED certification where applicable.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Architecture, Civil/Structural/Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in capital project management, preferably in higher education or the public sector.

• In‑depth understanding of capital project delivery methods, including design‑bid‑build, design‑build, Construction Manager as Advisor (CMa), and Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR), familiarity with university planning processes, capital budgeting, and funding mechanisms.
• Ability to mentor junior project managers and foster a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Ability to lead teams of project managers, estimators, architects, and external consultants; effective at managing multiple concurrent projects across various stages of development.
• Skill in aligning capital projects with institutional goals, long‑range master plans, and budget forecasts; ability to assess project feasibility and conduct risk assessments.
• Strong interpersonal skills to coordinate with university administration, facilities management, external stakeholders, excellent written skills for creating board reports, budget justifications, and RFPs.
• Skilled in budget development, cost control, value engineering, and cash flow tracking.
• Ability to resolve construction disputes, manage schedule delays, and adapt to evolving project needs.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• One year of experience in a supervisor role.
• Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) in the State of Mississippi, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified…