Associate Vice President, Facilities, Campus Planning, & Construction Project Management

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Office of Finance & Treasurer

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence

Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

The Associate Vice President (AVP) is responsible for the leadership of facilities development, management, operations and services. This position reports directly to the CFO, Vice President and Treasurer in the Office of Finance and Treasurer Division. The nature of this role within the organizational unit is to provide leadership, management, strategic direction and oversight of the university’s facilities development (Capital Project’s Planning, Design and Construction), space management, sustainability initiatives, facilities operations and maintenance (including Capital Renewal and Deferred Maintenance) and facilities/campus support services.

The AVP is responsible for managing facilities and grounds totaling 4.5 million gross square feet, 63 buildings and serving a community of approximately 18,000 members, including a residential population of more than 3,500. Manages operating budgets totaling roughly $60 million, or more, annually.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Direction: Provide day-to-day management and strategic direction for the unit to guide development, continuous care, and stewardship of university assets while assessing opportunities for operational excellence in all areas of responsibility. Assess the effectiveness of current practices, processes, and systems; identify areas for optimization and/or improvement, and recommend, develop, and implement improvement strategies to standardize professional practices, streamline processes, and facilitate effective management and responsive service delivery. Develop annual unit budget, goals, and ensure compatibility between unit and overall university goals and objectives. Monitor progress on achievement of expected outcomes. Research opportunities for improving service, decreasing costs, and staying current with marketplace trends and best practices. Provides strategic input for development and maintenance of the University’s Master Plan, Campus Plan, and participates in the zoning compliance process and plans for zoning approvals, as required.

• Leadership and Oversight: Oversee programs to assess service quality, unit effectiveness, compliance with applicable codes, compliance with university facilities standards, and attainment of budget performance goals. Provide leadership for all facilities services and the physical plant (facilities maintenance for campus grounds, maintenance and housekeeping services in key owned and leased campus buildings, properties and residence halls). Oversee campus sustainability efforts including energy conservation and management, campus recycling and the zero-waste program.  Provide leadership for the Campus Shuttle. Provide leadership in best practices for project development and execution with a focus on the total cost of ownership in protecting the University’s long-term budget impacts while ensuring full code compliance, accessibility, and focused on maintaining the University’s sustainability goals.

• Leadership/Management: Provides development and leadership across the department to build a high-performing team with an excellent culture that values, respects, and celebrates diversity and promotes collaboration and teamwork. Meet regularly with direct reports and staff to review current and future projects to ensure resources are properly aligned. Also, meet with campus partners to ensure collaboration and alignment of goals with respect to facilities development, stewardship and operations. Responsible for setting goals and expectations for direct reports and holding staff accountable for successful performance while providing development and coaching opportunities. Regularly align the evolving needs and goals of the organization with the evolving abilities and goals of staff. Plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities. Assure that unit commitments to service levels, schedules, and priorities are met. 

• Collaboration and Planning: Manage the development, gathering, and presentation of information to department and unit managers. Serve on a variety of university-wide committees and working groups.  Collaborate with other departments and project teams to accomplish university goals. Act as the Universities representative to the Neighborhood Partnership and support campus partners in managing external relationships.

Competencies:

• Collaborative Leadership.

• Developing Plans.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Driving Continuous Improvement.

• Building a Customer Focused Organization.

• Managing Talent.

• Leading and Inspiring People.

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• The AVP directly supervises five full-time employees: Senior Director of Planning and Project Management, Director of Facilities Operations, Director of Facilities Services, Director of Energy and Engineering and the Director of Sustainability.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-Time.

• Exempt.

• This position is considered "essential" under the University's personnel policy guidelines and is subject to be on call during weather or other emergencies or during non-standard working hours, as necessary.

Salary Range:

• $310,000 - $340,000

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, management/business discipline or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience that demonstrates the necessary skills and abilities to perform the job.

• 10+ years experience in managing facilities services in a large campus-like organization, preferably within a university setting or closely equivalent experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in management/business, architecture/engineering disciplines. APPA CEFP, IFMA CFM or PMP are preferred certifications.

• 15+ years of relevant experience

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Experience managing a large (minimum 100) workforce with diverse skills and responsibilities.

• Experience in overseeing both design/construction as well as facilities operations/services.

• Skilled in gathering, analyzing, and presenting financial and management information in a clear and coherent manner.

• Must have experience in communicating in written and oral form to a diverse audience and skill set. Should be knowledgeable in quality improvement processes and techniques, and skilled in leading group activity.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.