Job Description:
In consultation with the President, executive leadership, and the Campus Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Vice President of Real Estate, Facilities, and Planning is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, development, and management of the institution’s physical assets. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President is responsible for a portfolio of approximately 1.2 million square feet of owned and leased property. The Vice President leads the planning and execution of real estate initiatives, facilities management, capital projects, and sustainability efforts to enhance the campus environment and support the institution’s mission and goals. The Vice President leads the Real Estate and Facilities and Planning Division of thirteen staff, as well as the planning, programming, design, budgeting, permitting, construction, and delivery of selected major capital projects on behalf of Berklee, including leasing in its capacity as Lessor and Lessee. The Vice President evaluates planned maintenance capital improvement projects and annual capital project needs for inclusion in the annual capital budget and oversees the operations of all Boston campus facilities. In conjunction with other campus facility managers in learning environments in Valencia, Spain and New York City, supports planning, transparent and collaborative communications processes and budget development to address their campus needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in real estate, capital project management, urban planning, facilities administration, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred; relevant real estate, architecture, engineering, construction management related discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience with experience in providing oversight and development of diverse professional teams.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing complex real estate and capital development projects from inception to delivery, ideally within the City of Boston. Experience in a higher education institution is preferred.
• Experience in leading and developing a diverse, seasoned staff.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with senior leadership, trustees, faculty, students and other professional staff. Ability to professionally represent Berklee in interactions with community residents and interest groups, and elected and appointed officials.
• Experience in evaluating, negotiating, selecting and managing appropriate vendor contracts for planning, design, permitting and construction-related activities
• Working knowledge of architectural and engineering principles as they relate to real estate, campus planning, design, construction and building operations
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with budgeting, cost estimating and value engineering as these relate to capital projects. Ability to model and analyze the anticipated effects of design and construction alternatives on meeting program needs, project capital costs, project financial performance and schedule
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal and written form, particularly in conveying architectural and construction concepts in written and graphic formats and in oral presentations to senior leadership, faculty, students and the public. Also, ability to facilitate meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Lead long-term campus master planning, integrating academic, residential, student life, and community needs into the real estate and facilities strategy.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive real estate, facilities, and capital planning strategy that aligns with the institution’s mission, strategic priorities, and financial objectives.
• Assess current facilities and future needs, leading all resources to prepare comprehensive plans for development, renovations, and optimized utilization of existing academic, student housing, and administrative facilities.
• In partnership with the the office of Community and Government Relations, manage the preparation, review and approval process of an updated Institutional Master Plan (IMP), including interaction with the BPDA, the appointed IMP task force, community residents and interest groups, elected and other appointed officials and agencies throughout the IMP review and approval process.
• Prepare and present reports to the President, senior leadership and Board regarding project status and planning initiatives.

Real Estate Strategy and Management

• Advise the President, Board of Trustees, Campus Planning Committee, and senior leadership on real estate matters, including opportunities for acquisitions, dispositions developments, and lease agreements.
• Manage relationships with external partners, including developers, brokers, and governmental agencies.
• Identify and negotiate new real estate opportunities for acquisition, lease opportunities, and lease renewals.
• Analyze the performance of the real estate portfolio and identify opportunities for improvements, efficiencies, and cost savings.
• Develop and oversee the real estate budget, ensuring financial objectives are met for projects and operational expenses.
• Manage due diligence on all real estate transactions.

Capital Projects Planning and Management

• Utilize the campus master plan to ensure that all capital projects contribute to the institution’s growth, sustainability, and strategic objectives.
• Develop long-term plans for campus facilities, including academic and administrative buildings, student housing, performance facilities, and infrastructure improvements.
• Provide leadership and direction in the development and execution of capital improvement projects, infrastructure planning, and renovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with academic affairs and administrative departments to align capital development plans with the needs of faculty, staff, students, and the community.
• Lead the planning, design, and execution of capital projects for timely completion, completing within budget, and to the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance as appropriate.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants to ensure effective project delivery and resolve any issues that arise during construction and within warranty periods.
• In collaboration with the Community Relations and Planning teams, internal and external Counsel, and others, prepares a permitting strategy for local, state and federal permitting as necessary and coordinates all submissions to these authorities. Ensures compliance with regulations, permit conditions and authorities having jurisdiction.

Facilities Management and Operations

• Provide leadership to ensure effective oversight of operations of all campus facilities, including maintenance, custodial services, grounds, utilities, and facility-related systems.
• Oversee the development and implementation of facilities management standards and policies.
• Oversee the implementation of preventive maintenance programs and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, codes, and safety standards.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual budget for the real estate, facilities, and capital projects, ensuring responsible financial planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor expenditures and financial performance of all projects to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Oversee the financial modeling, analysis, and performance tracking for all real estate, capital and facilities projects, investments, and transactions.
• In conjunction with the CFO, Development Office (as appropriate), other Berklee leaders, and outside vendors, identify opportunities for funding real estate development and capital projects, including grants, bonds, partnerships and other financing mechanisms.
• Manage all outside contracts for facilities-related activities for cost-effectiveness and appropriate contractual requirements.

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

• Promote sustainable design and construction practices in all capital project initiatives.
• Develop policies and initiatives that support sustainability on campus.
• Incorporate energy-efficient and environmentally responsible practices into project planning and execution.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and institutional policies related to real estate transactions, development, leasing, and property management.
• Establish and maintain risk management protocols and oversee safety, security, and accessibility standards for all university properties and facilities.
• Identify potential risks associated with capital projects and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure contingency planning is integrated into project management processes to address unforeseen challenges.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with senior leadership, faculty, and staff to ensure facilities support academic and administrative functions.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, presenting plans and updates on facilities projects, upgrades, and issues.
• Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, and staff to identify capital project needs and priorities.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and community representatives throughout the project lifecycle.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of professionals in real estate, facilities management, and planning.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Provide training and development opportunities to enhance team capabilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Vice President of Real Estate, Facilities and Planning will directly supervise the Assistant Vice President of Planning and Capital Projects, Director of Facilities, Business Manager and their respective staffs, and will have overall leadership responsibility for the Berklee’s Facilities team, including all development and management activities.