Facilities Master Plan
A Facilities Master Plan is a comprehensive document that guides how a university or college will develop and maintain its buildings, grounds, and infrastructure over time. It's like a roadmap that helps institutions plan for future growth, space needs, and renovations. This plan typically covers 5-10 years and includes details about classroom spaces, housing, research facilities, and common areas. Universities use these plans to make decisions about construction projects, budget allocation, and campus improvements. Similar terms include "Campus Master Plan" or "Strategic Facilities Plan."
Examples in Resumes
Led development of Facilities Master Plan for a 50,000-student campus
Coordinated stakeholder input sessions for new Campus Master Plan implementation
Managed $50M budget aligned with Facilities Master Plan priorities
Updated the university's Strategic Facilities Plan to accommodate enrollment growth
Typical job title: "Facilities Planning Directors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Facilities Planning Directors
Professional Organizations
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you manage competing priorities from different academic departments in a master planning process?
Expected Answer: Strong answers should discuss stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision making, and experience balancing multiple needs within budget constraints. Should mention experience with conflict resolution and strategic prioritization.
Q: Describe your experience with large-scale capital project planning and budgeting.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of capital planning cycles, funding sources, project phasing, and experience managing multi-million dollar budgets. Should discuss coordination with state agencies and donors if applicable.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you gather and incorporate stakeholder feedback in facilities planning?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with surveys, focus groups, town halls, and working with faculty, staff, and students. Should mention documentation and feedback incorporation methods.
Q: What factors do you consider when evaluating space utilization on campus?
Expected Answer: Should mention classroom scheduling efficiency, peak usage times, space sharing opportunities, and methods for collecting occupancy data. Should discuss both current needs and future growth.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What software tools are you familiar with for facilities planning?
Expected Answer: Should be familiar with basic space management software, CAD programs, and project management tools. Should mention experience with spreadsheets and data analysis.
Q: How do you organize and maintain facilities planning documentation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss document management systems, version control, and communication methods. Should mention experience with report writing and presentation preparation.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Basic space planning concepts
- Project coordination support
- Data collection and analysis
- Document management
Mid (3-7 years)
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budget management
- Space utilization analysis
- Project management
Senior (7+ years)
- Strategic planning leadership
- Capital project management
- Multi-stakeholder coordination
- Policy development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience in higher education environment
- Lack of stakeholder engagement experience
- Poor understanding of campus operations
- No budget management experience
- Limited knowledge of space planning principles
Related Terms
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