This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location - North campus. This role is in-person

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

The Department of Integrated Planning, Development and Partnerships stewards and oversees the planning, use and development of the University of Alberta’s land & building assets. It is led by the Associate Vice President (AVP), and is one of five departments within the portfolio of Facilities & Operations.

Position summary

Reporting to the Manager Campus Planning and Architecture, within the Integrated Planning, Development & Partnerships unit, this position is responsible for the planning, design development and administration of furnishings within the interiors of the University's buildings. Provides oversight to the furnishings budget and expenditures; leads the consultation process with clients in the faculties and Administrative departments and directs consultants to work within the furniture guidelines. The purpose of the position is to provide interior design solutions and furnishings which contribute to the University's primary purposes of teaching and research.

The position comprises four areas that include the management, planning and design of furniture solutions, stakeholder consultation, and managing the furniture budget and expenditure for centralized spaces.

Duties

The position comprises four areas that include the management, planning and design of furniture solutions, stakeholder consultation, and managing the furniture budget and expenditure for centralized spaces.

• The successful candidate will manage the technical aspects of preferred supplier agreements for furniture procurement for the University and analyze the commercial furniture market to seek appropriate products, vendors and trends.
• They will be responsible to lead the furniture-specifics for Request for Proposal processes for both Preferred Supplier Agreements and large scale furnishings selection and procurement, in conjunction with the Procurement and Contract Management unit.
• They are the main point of contact to liaise with vendors, representatives, stakeholder contacts, planners, technologists, project managers and consultants.
• This position is accountable to mitigating performance or product issues and will solicit competitive bids, reviews and evaluations of vendor proposals.
• From a planning and design perspective, the Furniture Coordinator will develop, update and manage the University’s furnishings guidelines that balance a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic, with practical maintainable standards to provide designers with boundaries to work within.
• The Furniture Coordinator will help educate university stakeholders on standards and guidelines and will seek to find effective solutions within that realm. This includes negotiation, issues management, and facilitation.
• They will help prioritize and manage the allocation of a limited central furnishings budgets for centrally managed spaces across campus that support student-focused spaces such as classrooms, common lounges and exam tables & chairs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Diploma in Interior Design or Architecture from a technical institute and/or 10+ years of progressive experience in the architectural/interior design industry with specific experience in designing and purchasing furnishings.

Skills

• Solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
• Proven project management experience, Project Management training or certification is an asset
• Ability to resolve client issues, while ensuring the university's furniture standards and guidelines are maintained.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization and time management skills.

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD.
• Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing and contracting techniques and procedures.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of furniture and furniture systems
• Demonstrated knowledge of furniture industry trends for higher education, administrative, hospitality and social spaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Interior Design designation preferred, or in process
• Degree in Interior Design or Architecture from a technical institute.
• Experience in working in an institutional furnishings setting is an asset.

How to Apply