Capital Project Planner

**Capital Project Planner**:
**Primary Purpose**: This position provides capital planning leadership and expertise for a range of projects at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). Responsibilities include defining and managing the scope and design of new construction and renovation projects to ensure user needs are in alignment with institutional strategy. The Planner will influence and direct teams on issues of project planning, development approvals, compliance to campus plans, and site design related to the development stages for capital projects including:

- ** C**oncept Report (Pre Planning)**: Needs assessment based on user requirements, space optimization principles, site review, alignment with institutional strategic directions and defining capital projects with clearly written measurable expectations, including order of magnitude cost estimates that will carry through the project.
- ** F**easibility (Planning Parameters)**: Further develop the concept design and identify options to meet requirements within financial constraints that support a feasible Business Case. This will include analysis of technical studies and making recommendations that shape direction on options, cost estimates, operating models and alignment with institutional priorities. Development of written and measurable Planning Parameters will provide a solid foundation for and the project to move to the next stage. Synthesis of analysis and recommendations in a written format for preliminary approval is required.
- **Design Definition (Final Design)**: Continue leading the planning process in compliance with parameters from earlier stages into the development of specifications, contract documents and completion of the design and cost estimates to allow the project to move forward for Governance approval including furnishing, finishes and equipment.

**Nature of Work**: Reporting to the Manager, Capital and Business Planning, this position exercises discretionary decision making that impacts the approval of capital projects. This position:

- works in a high-volume, complex and dynamic environment of shifting priorities and continual deadlines.
- operates in a team environment and works in tandem with the Project Manager to solve problems as they arise using sound judgment to ensure successful institutional outcomes.
- requires a high level of energy, competence, and emotional intelligence.
- will exercise strong negotiation, facilitation skills guided by a strong understanding of the institutional culture and strategy.
- requires basic understanding of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems related to facilities. Coordination of these systems with USask Engineering group is critical to project planning success.
- must build and maintain positive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure a collaborative and problem-solving environment.
- manages extensive interaction and communication with senior administrators, capital planning committees, faculty, departmental groups and student representatives.

**Typical Duties or Accountabilities**:

- Leads the pre-planning, planning and design for capital projects, and provides direction that coordinates external architectural consultant teams, design consultants, university service providers and stakeholders’ consultations in an environment of campus change.
- Represents institutional priorities when leading the team in compiling and translating stakeholder requirements to the design team, while confirming long term objectives and priorities. Compliance with campus plans, space optimization, s sustainability, life cycle cost, quality and design standards that include an emphasis on accessibility and Indigenization is a necessity.
- Responsible for following processes that will result in sound capital project definition, site selection, scope, planning and design solutions considering budgetary and scheduling constraints while adhering to institutional strategic directions and priorities. Provides concept and pre-planning information to the Project Manager to facilitate and support the development of the capital project budget and schedule.
- Direct and providing leadership direction to team members, consulting teams (architectural, engineering, design) to ensure project scope, budgets, design standards and schedules are adhered to and ensures corrective action is taken, if required.
- Assists the Project Manager in managing project budgets to achieve optimal balance between design, construction costs and future maintenance and operating costs. Facilitate discussions, in conjunction with Project Manager, to review potential scope revisions as necessary to align planned design with established cost estimates.
- In conjunction with the Procurement department and Project Manager, develops Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and Requests for Tenders (RFT’s) to hire consultant teams and contractors. Reviews proposals and participates in the selec