Vice President of Construction

Position Title : Vice President of Construction & Exhibitry

Department: Construction & Exhibitry Department

Reports To: Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Location: Audubon Zoo

General Summary: Reporting to the Executive Vice President & COO, the Vice President for Construction & Exhibitry provides leadership and oversight for capital construction projects at all Audubon Nature Institute facilities. These responsibilities include management of design activities of external professionals (architects, engineers, contractors and other consultants) and serving as the executive responsible for day-to-day interaction between all parties involved in capital projects (internal stakeholders, designers, construction contractors). Further responsibilities include serving as Audubon’s liaison for capital projects funded by the State of Louisiana and other governmental agencies while adhering to strict procurement guidelines and reporting for publicly funded projects.

---

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Vice President of Construction& Exhibitry will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality

---

· Lead the planning, execution and oversight of all major capital projects, ensuring that all activities adhere to Audubon’s mission and standards as well as all mandated procedures and codes.

· Lead and direct major repairs and improvements of existing facilities, ensuring consistent “Audubon quality” enhancements to existing Audubon assets.

· Oversee and direct onsite construction firms, ensuring that proper construction protocols are effectively maintained.

· Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure that animal welfare remains the utmost priority in the planning and execution of projects.

· Conduct regular construction meetings during the construction phase with contractors and appropriate stakeholders.

Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience

---

· Ensure that a professional work environment is maintained during all construction projects, while minimizing negative impact to guests.

· Assist Guest Services, Animal Husbandry and Learning & Engagement teams in ensuring that guest experience goals are successfully and strategically included in final exhibit/building construction.

· Actively participate in the development, refinement and implementation of Audubon Nature Institute’s Interpretive Master Plan into all appropriate capital projects.

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks.

---

· Ensure that all capital projects are budgeted effectively and include adequate margins to cover anticipated overages or change orders.

· Effectively monitor actual expenditures to budget, providing management with timely expenditure variances.

· Ensure timely state reimbursement requests, ensuring accurate details and all necessary backup documentation.

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

---

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Vice President of Construction & Exhibitry will:

Welcome

---

· Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

· Wear identification badge.

· Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.

· Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

---

· Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

· Coach coworkers on service expectations.

· Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

· Know when to involve management.

Inspire

---

· Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

· Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).

· Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

· Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

· Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

---

Supervision: Manages department employees, including Director of Uptown Facility (Zoo & Audubon Park) Projects and Director of Downtown Facility (Aquarium & Woldenberg Park) Projects.

Experience:

· Ten years of experience in the architecture, facility management or construction industry, preferably with experience in a zoo, aquarium or museum setting.

· Five or more years in a leadership role, with demonstrated commitment to building and continued professional development of high performing teams.

· Demonstrated experience using an inclusive approach to involve a variety of internal stakeholders in all aspects of planning and execution of capital projects, from smaller projects (budget up to $250,000) to larger, multi-million dollar projects.

· Demonstrated ability to deliver formal and informal presentations on capital project concepts and execution to a variety of audiences, from Board members to staff to volunteers to guests of all ages.

Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management or Technology; or degree in a related discipline

Licensure/Certification: Appropriate licensure to the incumbent’s background that will subsequently be maintained with support from Audubon Nature Institute.

Software Requirements: Working knowledge of basic computer software programs, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook or Outlook Express, and Adobe, as well as specialized software common to the architecture/design/construction professions.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements: Must have the ability to use mobile devices, computer, fax, scanner, phone and copy machine.

Physical Requirements:

1. Medium Work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. May involve sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

2. Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.

3. Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.

4. Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.

5. Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.

6. Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.

7. Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

8. Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

1. Working long hours between breaks or meals required.

2. Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.

3. May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

4. Constant contact with co-workers required.

5. Affinity for animals preferred.

6. Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures may be required.

7. Exposure to outdoor conditions may be required.