Job Description

JOB TITLE: Executive Director, Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction

SUPERSEDES: 03/23, 4/23, 5/23

FLSA: Exempt

JOB CODE: 0466

ISSUED: 03/2023

REVISED: 03/2026

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY 

The Executive Director, Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction oversees all facilities functions, including healthcare facilities planning, new non-capital and capital improvements, renewal and replacement, space management, energy management, sustainability planning, operations, foundational infrastructure, and engineering and building operations management of all owned health facilities, as well as effective and efficient preventive maintenance programs. This role leads the planning, design, and construction of non-capital and capital improvements including multi-million-dollar, multi-year new building and renovation projects through effective coordination between MU Health System’s executive leadership, the MU Health System in-house design team, University of Missouri School of Medicine, University of Missouri System, and Campus Facilities. 

This role has oversight for the operational, financial, and personnel activities for all the functional areas outlined, and participates in strategic planning for MU Health System with a focus on the master facilities plan. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serve as the key leader for MU Health System and the School of Medicine for physical planning, design, development, construction, space planning, and facilities and operations issues. This includes engaging in governance structures related to capital planning, including the Board of Curators through the offices of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, with key processes that engage the office of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of MU Health System. 

Develop and maintain positive relationships with the university community, senior leadership, unions, the City of Columbia, state, and local officials as relevant to the department’s work. Continuously work to build and maintain credibility and trust with the University of Missouri campus facilities and facilities planning and design teams through formal meetings and ongoing communication. 

Oversee the implementation of projects on the MU Health System Master Facilities Space Plan. Partner with MU Health System executive leadership, School of Medicine, MU Campus facilities planning and design, MU Health System operational leaders, design/construction, and facilities management teams to ensure that resources are acquired, leveraged, and managed effectively to meet the goals of the organization. 

Achieve effective space utilization, facility design, and construction goals of owned and leased space by facilitating positive and collaborative relationships between executive leadership, architects, engineers, local/state/federal officials, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and others.

Act as the primary point of contact and communication between MU Health System and the design teams, contractors, and vendors, providing facilities space planning, design, and construction services on in-house and Campus Facilities projects. 

Ensure facility design requirements and space standards are developed that support current and future goals related to the MU Health System Master Facilities Space Plan and govern the activities of design consultants, contractors, and vendors to promote best practices in meeting priorities. 

Manage the financial objectives by preparing estimates, making recommendations related to major new building and renovation expenditures, and collecting and analyzing historic project cost data relative to national and local economic 

trends. Support the delivery of cost-effective projects within project scope by monitoring appropriate project milestone metrics, facilitating decision-making, and adjusting plans accordingly. 

Advise and provide oversight for the prioritization of requests related to space needs, facility renovation needs, program support needs that impact facilities, and any other facility-related requests to ensure that the resources of the areas of responsibility support the strategic goals of the organization. 

Lead the creation and execution of action plans required to successfully open new buildings and renovated spaces. 

Oversee the planning, design, and construction process for multiple new and renovated facilities in collaboration with campus facilities planning and design. 

Direct performance of the project team in effective planning and decision-making, ensuring successful activation, occupancy, and operations within the new or renovated space. 

Oversee the analysis, development, implementation, and monitoring of all facilities budgets, including operations, maintenance, and capital budget projects, to ensure the department is delivering services in the most cost-effective and transparent way. 

Facilitate meetings, provide meeting minutes, schedule, and supporting documentation from facility surveys and studies. Prepare agenda items, special reports, presentations, and other documents for the Facilities Committee and the Board of Curators. 

Leverage technology, knowledge, and process management to continually increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the facilities organization. 

Maintain professional continuing education requirements and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. 

Lead a culture of safety through proactive risk mitigation and continuous quality improvement, taking measures to routinely evaluate regulatory readiness.

Monitor and analyze safety and performance metrics to identify trends and implement corrective actions for staff and/or patients as appropriate. 

May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Highly developed communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills. 

Ability to simultaneously manage multiple project priorities demonstrating adaptability with a focus on client and customer services. 

Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local standards and codes, and requirements of regulatory and accreditation agencies (DNV and CMS). 

Understand standard operating procedures for plant operation and standards for skilled personnel. 

Ability to develop and manage complex construction project budgets. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

Supervision is received from the Health System Chief Operating Officer. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED 

Supervision is exercised over management and staff in engineering and building operations, healthcare facilities project development, facilities planning and design, in-house construction, and capital project management (in collaboration with campus facilities).  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field. 

Master’s degree in a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired. 

Ten (10) years of progressive experience in facilities planning, design, construction, engineering, or building operations; including at least five (5) years in leadership. 

Managerial experience in a complex service-intensive environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) certification by the American Hospital Association (AHA). 

Missouri licensure from the Board for Architects and Professional Engineers. 

Experience within health systems and academic medical centers. 

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs. 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; however, completion of these duties is a measure of successful performance. Employees of this job classification are subject to performance reviews. Basic function, responsibilities and characteristics duties may change at any time with or without notice.

SAFETY SENSITIVE STATUS 

This position is considered safety sensitive. 

This document is a general description of typical job duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees holding the associated job title. Additional duties, specific qualifications and work emphasis may vary between individual positions.