Executive Director of Facilities Management

The Executive Director of Facilities Management is a critical leadership position that helps to ensure the success of the University by providing strategic leadership and management oversight for all aspects of facilities, transportation, utility infrastructure, capital construction, and preventative/deferred maintenance. This includes establishing and implementing short- and long-range department goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures. The Executive Director will monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness and implement changes as needed; establish best practices and standard operating procedures for all aspects of facilities management; and collaborate with campus and community stakeholders to further institutional strategic and operational goals to ensure safe, efficient, and well-maintained facilities.
The Executive Director will be a strategic leader with outstanding collaboration and communication skills, and will develop a culture of process improvement, customer service, transparency and accountability. The Executive Director reports to Vice President for Finance and Administration.

This position is subject to a background check.

About UVM Facilities Management:
Facilities Management is a diverse and dynamic team of approximately 450 employees in service-oriented, skilled trades, technical and professional positions. The team maintains and enhances over five million square feet of facilities across 140 buildings on a picturesque 460-acre campus and is committed to providing safe, efficient, well-maintained, comfortable, and inspiring spaces for students, faculty, and staff to learn, teach, research, work, live, and play.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field. Seven to ten years of progressive management experience leading the operations of a facilities department and a team of service workers. Comprehensive understanding of facilities, design, construction, capital project oversight, maintenance, operations and infrastructure. Experience overseeing the management of multi-facility operational budgets. Decision- making, planning, organizational, and problem-resolution skills. Strong relationship-building and communication skills with both internal and external constituents. Demonstrated ability to function within a complex regulatory environment. Demonstrated ability to manage and develop employees and relationships, inspire a high level of commitment and performance from employees and influence outcomes. Effective ability to lead, participate in, and actively manage change in the business environment. Excellent communication skills are needed including the ability to deliver clear, focused explanations of complex issues for varied audiences. Knowledge of energy and sustainability practices. Proven team builder who works inclusively and must be able to demonstrate a commitment to service delivery to all customers.

Desirable qualifications: Advanced degree, experience in a higher education environment, Architect or Professional Engineer licensure.

Specific Job Functions and Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership, management and oversight, for the units within the Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) that focus on facilities management: Planning, Design and Construction, Custodial Services, Physical Plant, Utility Engineering and Transportation and Parking Services. Establish best practices and standard operating procedures related to all aspects of facilities management responsibilities, including but not limited to, regulatory compliance, quality control, construction administration, asset and work management systems, safety, and energy initiatives. Remain up-to-date on and ensure full compliance with all regulatory laws, rules and regulations.

Supervise and manage a team of seven facilities professionals/leaders. Analyze and review position types and job functions to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency. Ensure cross-functional coordination among facilities units and effective communications with projects sponsors, end users and stakeholders. Set and demonstrate organizational culture and values that incorporate positive change management approaches, emphasize superior customer service and proactively champion a commitment to diversity and social justice, continuous improvement, innovation, and environmental sustainability. Coach and ensure ongoing staff development and training to ensure that best practices in facilities are implemented and support a culture of quality customer service.

Direct and oversee all departmental processes, policies and procedures related to HR/staffing approvals, budget management, analysis and reporting. Monitor and control budgetary variances. Develop and recommend short- and long-term financial goals for all facilities units. Assist with development of capital budget proposals related to current deferred maintenance projects and capital projects.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with various university partners including but not limited to Human Resource Services, University Financial Services, Safety and Compliance units, Division of Student Affairs, Athletics, Registrar’s Office, Real Estate Operations, Finance and Facilities Administration, and the Administrative Business Service Center. Represent facilities departments in policy and procedural discussions. Collaborate with other department leaders to create best practices for communication, operations and positive engagement. Oversee the Classroom Improvement Committee, and represent facilities on other committees (ADA, Emergency Operations, etc..) Facilitate key facility meetings with campus and community partners. Build relationships with community and state partners, such as VT Div of Historic Preservation, Burlington Public Works Department, UVMMC, etc. Represent UVM on the CATMA Board. Attend City or State government meetings regarding issues that can affect university operations.

Initiate and implement large-scale and long-range facilities projects in support of institutional and divisional objectives. Provide strategic guidance and analysis on strategic plans and projects to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration, including the Campus Plan and the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan. Serve as liaison between Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Controller’s Office, facilities units, Finance and Facilities Administration, and the Administrative Business Service Center to ensure strong communication, collaboration and efficiency once projects are underway. Oversee the utility, infrastructure, and deferred maintenance planning and the recommendations for use of renewal funding for facilities projects.
Serve on DFA Senior Leadership Team. Advise on the development and implementation of effective change management plans for DFA policy and process changes.

Physical Demands & Work Conditions:
General office conditions apply. Walking and travelling throughout campus facilities on a regular basis to visit job sites, meet with in-field personnel and campus constituents. Includes navigating stairs, climbing ladders, and moving in tight enclosed spaces, (ie, electrical closets and underground vaults). Occasional travel to offsite locations as needed, without notice. Occasional off-hours/weekend availability required.

Candidate ContactsHelbling & Associates is UVM’s search partner for this position and all candidacy materials or inquiries can be sent to Rick Nawoczynski, rickn@helblingsearch.com.

02/08/2024

F2965PO

Facilities Management/11015

Executive Director of Facilities Management

Exempt

00025164

1.0

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