University Architect

The Department of Facilities Management & Planning (FMP) supports the mission of the University of Denvers by stewarding the physical University owned resources to provide a healthy and safe educational environment for our campus community through services of the departments of Capital Planning Facilities Management Parking & Mobility Services Auxiliaries & Real Estate Business & Operations and Office of the University Architect. FMP is responsible for the maintenance of more than 5 million GSF of facilities located throughout the state of Colorado including the 130 acres of the University Park Campus the 740 acres of the Kennedy Mountain Campus as well as additional sites.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management & Planning the University Architect is responsible for providing leadership in campus planning architectural design and stewardship of the University of Denvers built environment. This role oversees the aesthetic and functional aspects of the campus ensuring that all projects align with the Universitys design standards long-term vision and strategic goals.

The University Architect collaborates closely with academic and administrative leadership to develop and implement planning and design strategies that support the Universitys mission. This includes oversight of master planning architectural review space programming and the integration of sustainability and accessibility principles into all physical development.

The University Architect works in coordination with local city and state agencies to ensure that all projects meet regulatory requirements and reflect the character of the University. The role provides design guidance on new construction renovations landscape architecture and adaptive reuse across all University-owned properties including the University Park Campus Kennedy Mountain Campus and other satellite sites.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading architectural planning and design initiatives.
• Maintaining and updating campus design standards.
• Providing architectural review and guidance for all capital projects.
• Overseeing campus master planning and space utilization studies.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to align facility development with academic and operational priorities.
• Representing the Universitys architectural interests with external partners and agencies.

Essential Functions

In addition to following the University of Denvers policies and procedures principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Campus Planning Design Standards and Space Management

• Serve as the primary steward for the Universitys physical environment ensuring that all planning and design initiatives reflect DUs long-term strategic vision architectural integrity and sustainability goals.
• Lead the development implementation and periodic updates to the Campus Master Plan and University Design Standards integrating accessibility equity and environmental stewardship.
• Conduct and oversee architectural and design reviews for all campus projects including new construction renovations and landscape ensuring compliance with institutional standards building codes ADA requirements and aesthetic goals.
• Oversee and continuously improve the Universitys space management system (currently ArcGIS Indoor) ensuring accurate inventory data integrity and alignment with institutional planning priorities.
• Supervise the Space Management team guiding policy on space allocation and utilization across all academic research and administrative units.
• Advocate for institutional data and planning technology needs in partnership with internal IT teams and external system vendors.

Design Leadership and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Lead and mentor staff within the Office of the University Architect fostering innovation design excellence and professional growth.
• Collaborate closely with Facilities Management & Planning departments and campus stakeholders to implement best practices in universal design sustainability and inclusive environments.
• Provide architectural consultation to University leadership including the Provost Deans and Chancellor on matters related to space programming building aesthetics site design and long-range planning.

Campus Asset Management and Design Technology

• Manage the Universitys GIS platform including ArcGIS and ArcGIS Indoors to support real-time planning mapping and spatial analytics.
• Maintain and enhance a comprehensive and real-time building and space inventory supporting capital planning and compliance reporting.
• Collaborate with Facilities Operations on condition assessments and long-range asset reinvestment strategies.

Exterior Design Landscape and Wayfinding

• Provide planning and design oversight for campus landscape architecture open spaces and exterior enhancements.
• Lead ongoing development and maintenance of the Campus Wayfinding and Signage System ensuring accessibility consistency and a cohesive campus identity.

Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with internal partners including academic colleges student organizations administrative units and represent planning interests in campus-wide initiatives.
• Serve as a primary liaison to local city and state agencies including the City and County of Denvers Planning Department to align University planning efforts with external development and regulatory frameworks.

Additional Leadership Responsibilities

• Participate in the selection and oversight of architects planners and design consultants.
• Ensure University projects align with institutional priorities related to diversity equity and inclusion in the built environment.
• Represent the University in design-related community outreach and planning discussions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of DUs mission and the evolving needs of the institution.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in reading analyzing and interpreting construction drawings specifications building codes and regulatory documents relevant to the design and construction industry.
• Skilled in writing clear reports project descriptions scopes of work and professional correspondence. Capable of effectively presenting information addressing concerns promptly and facilitating resolution of issues.
• Demonstrates tact diplomacy and professionalism in handling sensitive situations. Confident and assertive when communicating with senior administrators architects engineers facilities staff and external stakeholders.
• Strong quantitative skills including the ability to calculate square footage volume area and percentages and apply concepts from algebra and geometry.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities with sound professional judgment. Experienced in mediating and resolving disputes or claims.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in collaboration with individuals across diverse departments and organizational levels.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Committed to customer service excellence with a track record of delivering high-quality service and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.
• Adaptable and effective in dynamic fast-paced environments with evolving priorities.
• Informed on current industry trends and emerging developments in planning design and construction.
• Highly capable in developing documenting and implementing streamlined business and operational processes.

Required Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited institution; a degree in Planning may also be considered with relevant experience.
• Advanced Degree in Architecture and/or an MBA.
• Current licensure as a Registered Architect in the United States with the ability to obtain Colorado licensure through reciprocity.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in architectural design campus planning space management or capital project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in managing the programming and design of large complex facilities projects preferably in a higher education or institutional environment.
• Strong knowledge of building systems facility operations codes standards and sustainability practices with the ability to apply this expertise in planning and design oversight.
• Proficiency in design and planning software including AutoCAD Revit GIS Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel).

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Architecture Urban Design Campus Planning or a related field.
• Professional accreditations such as LEED AP AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) Project Management Professional (PMP) Construction Management or Professional Engineer (PE).
• Experience working in higher education government or other complex institutional environments with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and managing consultant or vendor deliverables in support of large-scale planning or design initiatives.
• Functional knowledge of facilities management practices space policies campus design standards and planning procedures.
• Familiarity with planning or space management systems such as GIS systems and other industry tools.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 22 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 15.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $130000-$145000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.