Vice President of Campus Operations

Position Overview: 

The Vice President of Campus Operations and Facilities is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of all campus facilities and grounds.  Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, this role plays a critical part in supporting the institution's academic, research, and administrative functions by ensuring that campus facilities are safe, efficient, and sustainable; and plays a key role in planning and implementing capital projects, sustainability initiatives, and operational efficiencies across all university facilities. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning and Real Estate Management:  

• Develop and implement comprehensive plans for campus facilities, including short-term and long-term capital projects, renovations, and deferred maintenance.  

• Ensure alignment of facilities planning with the institution's strategic goals and objectives. 

• Oversee the university's real estate portfolio, including space planning, design, and engineering. Manage lease agreements and property acquisitions as needed. 

• Manage relationships with external real estate developers, brokers, legal counsel, and municipal agencies. 

• Oversee space planning and utilization across all campus facilities to optimize occupancy and operational efficiency. 

• Ensure all real estate activities comply with local, state, and federal laws, institutional policies, and reporting requirements. 

• Monitor market trends, zoning regulations, and economic indicators that may impact institutional property interests. 

• Coordinate real estate-related aspects of capital projects, including site selection, permitting, and community engagement. 

• Collaborate with finance and legal departments on property financing structures, tax implications, and title matters 

Facilities Operations and Maintenance:  

• Manage day-to-day operations of campus facilities, including maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.  

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal building codes and environmental regulations. 

• Implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to extend the lifecycle of assets and reduce emergency repairs. 

• Lead the development and execution of deferred maintenance strategies, including prioritization and funding plans. 

• Manage team responsible for campus-wide utility systems (electricity, water, HVAC, etc.) and implement energy efficiency initiatives. 

• Oversee service contracts, vendor performance, and procurement for maintenance-related supplies and equipment. 

Capital Project Management:  

• Lead capital projects from conception to completion, including construction, renovations, and new building development.  

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. 

• Lead the development of the campus master plan in coordination with institutional leadership and external consultants. 

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, construction managers, and project teams to ensure that project scope, schedule, and budgets are clearly defined and maintained. 

• Ensure capital projects meet institutional goals for functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and accessibility. 

• Establish governance and approval processes for capital projects, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Develop and maintain metrics and reporting tools to track project performance, budgets, and timelines for executive leadership and board presentations. 

Sustainability and Energy Management:  

• Implement and oversee sustainability initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact across campus.  

• Integrate sustainable practices into facilities management strategies. 

• Oversee campus energy systems, including utility management, energy sourcing, building automation, and renewable energy integration. 

• Identify opportunities for energy savings and efficiency improvements across facilities, infrastructure, and daily operations. 

• Lead initiatives to achieve or maintain green building certifications (e.g., LEED, ENERGY STAR) and other sustainability benchmarks. 

• Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to promote sustainability education, engagement, and research partnerships 

Emergency Management:  

• Develop and implement emergency management plans to safeguard the campus community during crises or disasters.  

• Conduct regular risk assessments for events and campus operations, implementing strategies to mitigate threats and vulnerabilities. 

• Provide leadership during crisis situations, serving as a key member of the institution’s emergency response team. 

• Coordinate with campus security and local authorities as necessary. 

Leadership:  

• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of facilities professionals, including directors, managers, and support staff. Foster a culture of collaboration, communication, innovation, and continuous improvement within the facilities and campus operations departments. 

• Collaborate with university leadership, academic departments, and external stakeholders to support campus operations and facilities.  

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure alignment of facility management activities with institutional goals. 

Budget Management: 

• Lead the development, implementation, and management of multi-million-dollar budgets across facilities, capital projects, maintenance, sustainability, events, and auxiliary services 

• Manage the facilities budget, including capital expenditures, operating expenses, and long-term maintenance planning.  

• Optimize resource allocation to achieve cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or safety. 

Campus Operations and Events 

• Ensure compliance with campus policies, local regulations, and safety protocols for all event-related activities. 

• Represent the university in high-profile events, building strong relationships with community stakeholders and external partners 

• Ensure compliance with campus policies, local regulations, and safety protocols for all event-related activities. 

• Represent the university in high-profile events, building strong relationships with community stakeholders and external partners. 

• Supervise event operations staff and provide professional development opportunities to enhance team performance. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field. 

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management, facilities operations, capital project management, or campus infrastructure, including oversight of unionized teams.  

• Strong knowledge of building systems, real estate management, and compliance with regulatory codes is essential. with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role. 

• Deep knowledge of facilities and operations management in a complex organizational setting. 

• Must have demonstrable experience in managing labor relations and navigate collective bargaining agreements within the workforce.   

• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, building codes, and industry standards related to facilities management. 

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and initiatives with a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred. 

• Experience in higher education and/or non-profit organizational settings. 

• Prior experience overseeing university-wide events (i.e. graduation, annual celebrations, board- related events, etc.)