Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
| Industry: | Facilities Management |
| Location: | Texas - Georgetown |
| Sector: | Higher Education |
| Search ID: | 24-0801-74 |
Description
Southwestern University has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure an Associate Vice President for Facilities Management.
Position Summary
The Associate Vice President for Facilities Management reports to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. This role includes overseeing the development, planning, budgeting, and implementation of the campus capital improvement plan including renovations and new facilities, as well as managing the university's buildings, grounds, and utilities. The AVP for Facilities Management supervises a team of approximately 70 employees across departments such as Grounds, Custodial, Building Maintenance, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Business Operations, and Central Plant. The position also oversees campus safety programs and insurance programs. This position, by attention to detail, supports the mission and strategic plan for the University by ensuring maintenance of campus facilities, grounds, equipment, and fixtures that provide a safe and attractive environment for the campus community and support student success and excellence.
For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image to the right.
For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image to the right.
Essential Duties
- Serves as a trusted advisor to the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the President’s Senior Staff on facilities related matters;
- Leads and directs the University's capital project program including the planning, programming, design, bidding, and construction of capital projects. Proven capability and training in construction project management;
- Direct the activities of diverse and specialized trade functions on maintenance, repairs, renovations, custodial, special events and programs, and activities; develop staffing plans as necessary and provides leadership for department initiatives to enhance staff development and performance management; direct the performance process for supervisors and staff, evaluating performance, staffing needs, training, payroll, and employee relations;
- Continuously drive productivity and improvement processes into the organization’s culture; initiate and maintain cost-effective strategies, ensure that all activities related to facilities management are aligned with these strategies, and effectively communicate these strategies to management and staff throughout the organization;
- Serve as part of the Vice President for Finance and Administration Leadership Team;
- Prepares reports required by Senior Leadership, the Board of Trustees, and other Federal and State agencies. Also provides timely reports based on a routine walks and visual field inspections of the campus;
- Responsible for planning, and providing analytical data of current building renovation projects, code compliance and infrastructure improvements, and deferred maintenance programs. Develops the annual capital improvement and deferred maintenance budgets and provides updates for the five-year facilities plan. This includes estimating costs, determining long range schedule and priority of projects;
- Responsible for the development and management of the operating budget and resources for the operation of the physical plant, utility distribution systems as well as the budgeted resources for personnel, contract services, supplies, and projects. Provide quarterly (and ad hoc) updates and budget projections. Monitors fiscal performance of the department and ensures compliance with all state and federal audits;
- Assists in drafting and directing requests for proposals, bids, procurement, and contract document preparation for facilities related contracts as well as capital improvements. Formulates facilities program goals and priorities based on mission and needs of the University. Develops or assists with the development of related policies. Ensures all University standards and policies related to the Facilities area are documented and routinely updated with current information;
- Ensures hiring, staff training, performance evaluations, and recommendations for promotion of staff meet the needs of the division and are in alignment with annual operating budget. Identifies facilities risks and develops strategies in which the university can repurpose space for maximum utilization, and responsible for updating campus space inventory;
- Assists in the development and implementation of the Facilities Master Plan. Oversees development and implementation of a comprehensive preventative scheduled and remedial facilities maintenance program;
- Oversees the maintenance and operation of all vehicles, physical plant equipment, furniture, et all.
Additional Duties
- Serve on University committees (Facilities and Space Utilization, Safety), and ad hoc committees as required;
- Represent the department in various meetings and committees and articulates facilities strategies and policies;
- Together with the Vice President for Finance and Administration, serve as the liaison to the Georgetown planning /development department, DPS, and other agencies which regulate or impact the campus roadways, infrastructure, signage, etc.;
- Serve as the Secretary for the Facilities Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees;
- In close coordination with the Vice President for Finance and Administration, coordinate planning activities related to development and updating of the Campus Facilities Master Plan;
- Provide facility planning consultation with campus departments;
- Maintain the University’s official campus map;
- Together with the Southwestern University Police Department, monitor and plan parking space on campus;
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
About Southwestern
Southwestern University, with a rich history spanning nearly two centuries, is actively seeking a dynamic executive to assume the role of Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management. Founded in 1840 as the first institution of higher learning in Texas, Southwestern has stood proudly as one of the nation's oldest and finest liberal arts institutions. The founders, driven by a vision of a better tomorrow, laid the foundation for a college that would blend the wisdom of the ages, the knowledge of the present, and the ideals of the future through a liberal arts education.
This tradition continues at Southwestern, where a blend of the arts, sciences, languages, and humanities inspires students to carve unique pathways toward their life passions and fulfilling careers. The university equips its students with the ability to adapt to an ever-changing world, encouraging the application of creative and critical minds to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
Southwestern University’s Mission Statement
Southwestern University, under the auspices of the United Methodist Church, is committed to undergraduate liberal education involving both the study of and participation in significant aspects of our cultural heritage, expressed primarily through the arts, the sciences, the Institutions, and the professions of society. As a teaching and learning community, Southwestern encourages rigorous inquiry and scholarship, creative teaching, and the expression of free human life. The University seeks to involve the student in finding a personal and social direction for life, developing more sensitive methods of communication, cultivating those qualities and skills which make for personal and professional effectiveness, and learning to think clearly and make relevant judgments and discriminations.
Vision
Southwestern University is a leader in innovative undergraduate education, offering a life-enriching residential liberal arts and sciences experience for talented individuals who share a passion for intellectual exploration, engagement, and growth. Discovery and creation are intentionally fostered throughout a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, empowering all to advance research, scholarship, and the creative arts and lead fulfilling lives that contribute to the well-being of humanity.
Strategic Direction for the Next Five and Ten Years
Southwestern University commits to empowering students to think, create, and make meaning through intentional connections, innovative academic pursuits, and a vibrant residential community. This ongoing commitment to the rich experiences essential to intellectual, personal, and professional success in the 21st century requires institutional financial sustainability achieved through collaborative innovation and creativity.
Location
Georgetown, Texas
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as engineering, facility management, construction project management, or architecture;
- Five years of progressively more responsible experience in professional-level facilities management roles with at least five years of supervisory or management experience;
- Experienced strategic planning leader both in development and implementation; ability to work on a senior team as a listener, contributor, collaborator, mediator, and advocate, interacting with internal and external constituencies;
- Superior customer service orientation and the ability to take charge and drive initiatives through to completion; excellent project management skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong client relationships and work in concert with others to accomplish goals and objectives;
- Proven track record of executing organizational change initiatives; demonstrated capacity to effectively lead, supervise, and mentor direct reports, providing guidance and counsel to management teams regarding leadership strategies;
- Proven ability to work with construction-related contractors and possess a solid knowledge of commercial construction methods and procedures;
- Ability to read and interpret architectural and mechanical drawings and collaborate with architects and other key building/construction individuals;
- High computer literacy utilizing software such as Microsoft Project, Word, PowerPoint and Excel;
- Proven ability to collaborate with campus constituents, architects, engineers, city/state/federal officials, building officials, trustees, etc.;
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets (operational & capital), develop complex and involved contracts, to negotiate these contracts with vendors and service providers, and to manage and monitor contracts in accordance with their terms and conditions, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. Experience both developing and reviewing contracts, RFP’s, and other related documents;
- Possess excellent interaction and communication skills (verbal and written);
- Have knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within the campus and community;
- Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, and produce reliable work product.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree and college/university experience highly desirable. Master’s degree in construction, facilities, engineering, or architectural-related field;
- Facilities Management Certification (CFM);
- Five plus years of progressively more responsible experience in professional-level facilities maintenance positions with five plus years of supervisory/management experience;
- Prior experience developing and administering safety programs for an education-based entity;
- Prior experience in higher education, preferably at a residential institution.
Supervisory Relations
The incumbent has significant independent authority to determine appropriate objectives and priorities and to plan and implement. Performance is reviewed for overall results.
The position supervises the Sr. Administrative Assistant, the Director of Business Operations, the Manager of Physical Plant, the Project Manager, and the Director of Campus Safety and Facilities Risk Management.
Diversity & Inclusion
Southwestern University is committed to providing a work and educational environment free of discrimination and harassment. Southwestern University does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or related conditions, genetic information, military service, status as a veteran, citizenship status, or any other characteristic that is protected by applicable state or federal law in its operations, employment opportunities, educational programs, and related activities. Southwestern University operates in compliance with federal laws such as, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all applicable State of Texas laws.