Vice Provost for Space Programming and Planning

As a dynamic and growing institution, Princeton University continuously pursues its mission of teaching and research in ways that both leverage and challenge the built environment of our campus. Princeton’s ambitious capital plan incorporates the renovation of existing spaces as well as the construction of several new buildings and complexes, including state-of-the-art research facilities for science and engineering, a new art museum, expanded student housing, athletics facilities, a new student health center, and underlying campus infrastructure in support of the University’s sustainability commitments.

The Vice Provost for Space Programming and Planning is the Provost's primary adviser and representative for envisioning and allocating space in ways that will enable the university's academic and administrative initiatives to flourish. The role represents the academic and programmatic perspective in campus planning projects and seeks to align decisions about Princeton's physical environment with the current and future needs of its faculty, students, and staff.

The Vice Provost works closely with the university's senior leadership team to manage effective use of our current spaces and to support the development and assessment of ideas for new facilities and major renovations, providing essential analysis and other information for successful project planning, budgeting, and delivery.

The Vice Provost plays a critical role in matching resources to the academic mission of the University, with the goal of increasing the University’s capacity to advance learning through scholarship, research and teaching of the highest quality in service of the common good.

This search is being managed by Helbling & Associates. All nominations, inquiries, and applications can be directed to Jim Lord, Executive Director, (724) 935-7500 ext. 109, JimL@helblingsearch.com. Electronic submission of credentials is strongly encouraged.

Key duties include the following:

• Advising the Provost and other university leaders on the requirements, uses, complexities, costs, and benefits of proposals for development and renovation of university facilities based on careful consideration and modeling of assumptions and options
• Supporting the overall campus planning process and serving as secretary to the University Facilities Planning Group, co-chaired by the Provost and Executive Vice President
• Negotiating the allocation of space among programs and uses, and facilitating and guiding conversations with faculty and administrators about their space needs to identify ways to use existing space to capitalize on opportunities to expand academic or administrative programs, including for faculty hiring
• Collaborating closely with partners in the Office of the Vice President for Facilities throughout the early design and construction stages for new and renovated facilities to represent the needs and priorities of academic and administrative programs
• Managing and growing organizational and operational functions internally to ensure that the office has the staffing structure, systems requirements, data expertise, and institutional touchpoints for continuous decision-making in a highly collaborative academic environment
• Performing other duties as needed.

• A minimum of ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in academic administration, space planning, or a closely related area
• The credentials, work history, and abilities that will enable effective input, coordination and consideration of the needs of academic and other users of university facilities
• Ability to translate academic needs into resource requirements and conduct analysis to evaluate proposals and plans and support decision-making
• Experience with the practical realities of planning, financing, and executing facilities projects
• Understanding of, and competence with, operating budgets and capital construction budgets
• Demonstrated effectiveness in tracking and using data for decision-making related to space, personnel, or a related function, with a willingness to continuously enhance such capabilities
• Ability to listen and value aspirations of academic and administrative leadership while being mindful of tradeoffs and the need to adapt some ambitions and expectations to constraints— a capacity to discern needs from wants
• Ability to envision alternate ways in which a physical facility can support and enhance an academic program
• Experience managing a team of professional staff and demonstrated ability to coach and mentor direct reports
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing circumstances
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, including the ability to foster communication and mutual understanding among diverse groups and interests
• A four-year college degree, with a strong preference for an advanced degree

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS