Project Executive Jobs in Tennessee

The Executive Director of Capital Planning and Project Management is responsible for leading the strategic planning, design, and execution of both capital construction initiatives and enterprise-wide business transformation projects. This position ensures the successful delivery of infrastructure and organizational initiatives that align with institutional goals, regulatory standards, and operational efficiency. This position reports to the Vice President for Finance & Administration.

Key Responsibilities:

Capital Planning, Design, and Construction

• Direct and manage the formulation and execution of strategic capital projects aligned with institutional priorities
• Supervise 3 direct reports: 2 x Architects/Project Managers and 1 x Office Assistant
• Manage the creation of feasibility and engineering studies
• Oversee architectural and engineering design processes, ensuring compliance with state laws and policies, relevant codes, and institutional standards
• Oversee all phases of capital construction projects from concept through closeout.
• Administer contracts with external contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure quality, timeliness, and budget adherence
• University Liaison with state agencies for approvals, inspections, and reporting coordination of university projects
• Establish and maintain relationships and communicate project status, progress, and issues to key stakeholders and project sponsors, both internal and external
• Responsible for the fulfillment and updating of the Campus Building Master Plan

Enterprise Business Initiatives

• Lead cross-functional teams in the planning, execution, and closeout of complex, enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Ensure project delivery by aligning timelines, resources, and stakeholders across departments and external partners.

Oversee project schedules and milestones to achieve successful outcomes within scope and budget.

Budget & Compliance

• Develop and manage capital budgets ranging from lower-cost to multimillion-dollar initiatives.
• Collaborate with leadership to manage enterprise initiative budgets.
• Ensure compliance with state procurement laws, grant requirements, and institutional policies.
• Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership and governing boards.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise project managers, architects, and administrative staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a liaison between APSU and external vendors, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain relationships as a university representative with counterparts in other public universities and state agencies.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, including PMP certification standards.
• Proven ability to lead and manage large-scale projects and project teams over extended periods of time.
• Excellent project management skills, including scope, timeline, budget, and resource management.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills to collaborate with internal departments and external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address system issues and project challenges.
• Ability to facilitate training plans and change management efforts to drive adoption of new systems and processes.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Capability to manage all phases of projects from concept through closeout, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Familiarity with higher education systems, workflows, and regulatory standards.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business, Construction Management, or related field. Military equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience overseeing complex projects.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain/Logistics, or related field. Military equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• 7 years of progressive experience leading and overseeing complex projects, including responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, and team coordination.
• Project Management Institute PMP® Certification or equivalent Project Management certification OR Lean Six Sigma certification OR significantly demonstrated experience in process improvement methodologies.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience working with State Agencies and Legislative Committees

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

About Us: Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.

Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/ .

Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.