Associate Vice President for Facilities

ABOUT UND

Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota gave North Dakota its name when the former Dakota territories separated into two distinct states. Today, UND is a busy 521-acre campus — the state’s largest — located in Grand Forks, a vibrant college town of more than 60,000 residents in the greater Grand Forks community. In addition to the main campus, which covers 5 miles of roads, the University maintains three campus locations across the state, including two centers for family medicine. The campuses contain ~160 buildings with over 500 laboratories.

THE POSITION

The Associate Vice President for Facilities - UND seeks a dynamic and team-oriented leader who will continue the momentum in catalyzing opportunities for collaboration to provide a welcoming campus experience through environment stewardship. The spirit of learning, discovery, research, and service on campus is central to the institution’s mission and a critical element of the new UND LEADS strategic plan. The associate vice president for facilities will create opportunities for collaboration, supporting areas across all divisions, and will improve the overall efficiency of campus facility operations. Facilities Management falls within the Division of Finance and Operations, the administrative, financial, and operational unit of the University of North Dakota, and supports the division vision: We are engaged employees aspiring to deliver a superior experience and environment for our students, colleagues, and communities.

The Associate Vice President for Facilities (AVP) provides proactive facilities leadership support for the campus and has direct responsibility for all aspects of leading facilities management including budget oversight for the entire unit; physical space master planning; oversight of design and construction management of new buildings and renovations; facilities operations, maintenance and repair; landscaping and grounds, custodial and maintenance services; utilities distribution; reporting management; environmental stewardship; and parking and transportation. The AVP reports to the Vice President for Finance and Operations/COO (VPFO), who in turn reports to the president. This position exercises direct supervision over four directors, as well as an administrative assistant, and has dotted line oversight to the director of facilities business services; facilities procurement officer; and the human resources manager for facilities. This position collaborates with all peer operational associate vice presidents, including AVP for Human Resources, AVP for Finance, AVP for Public Safety/Chief of Police and the AVP for Equal Opportunity and Title IX. A successful candidate will start no later than October 15, 2024.

The Opportunity

The University of North Dakota seeks an associate vice president for facilities who will provide support and leadership for the implementation of UND LEADS strategic initiatives to serve and lead Facilities in its distinctive areas of experience and excellence. Facilities Management seeks to create an inclusive environment conducive to learning, working, and living within the University community for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

As the chief fiduciary officer for Facilities, the AVP will develop immediate and long-range annual and biennial budget recommendations, ensuring efficient allocation of resources. This person adheres to a strong set of morals and principles in conducting business in the most ethical way possible. Additionally, the AVP will provide regular reporting to the vice president of finance & operations on the overall budget as well as capital project budgets, ensuring that the department is delivering services in the most cost-effective way. This role promotes a safe and healthy work environment by enforcing and implementing safety regulations and applicable standards, processes, and programs, as well as identifying and mitigating potential risks to the organization’s facilities, staff, and infrastructure.

The next AVP will be a team player devoted to excellence, who provides leadership and oversight to campus capital projects and planning. The associate vice president for facilities will work in close partnership with the VPFO to align business, administrative and financial management strategies across the operational units. The next AVP will ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of projects, improving the overall efficiency of campus facility operations, and providing a welcoming parking experience. The individual has exceptional communication and collaboration skills at all levels of the organization, including facilities employees, UND leadership at all levels across campus, other UND stakeholders, vendors, and external stakeholders. The position will ensure facilities employees understand university, state board, and North Dakota Century Code policies related to facilities management, procurement, and other related policies, as well as ensuring the department is trained on these policies regularly. Additionally, the AVP ensures adherence to federal, state, local and State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) policies, procedures, laws and regulations regarding buildings, grounds, utilities, access, and hazardous materials. In addition to the charges outlined above, the following is an abbreviated list of the responsibilities associated with this position:

• Identify and implement best practices to improve performance and/or provide more cost-effective operation.

• Demonstrate commitment to resource stewardship from both an economic and sustainability perspective.

• Ensure adherence to the relevant policies, procedures, laws and regulations regarding capital project procurement, bidding, design, and planning and communication with vendors.

• Lead and manage the personnel within facilities management in a positive work environment that is characterized by honesty, integrity, teamwork, diversity, respect, personnel development, communication and engagement, and high motivation.

• Lead the development, management, and implementation of the University’s comprehensive campus master plan in accordance with state board policies.

• Provide oversight for the development of plans, goals, objectives, timelines, policies, and procedures for completion of capital construction projects as well as the upcoming Housing P3 (Public Private Partnership) project.

• Ensure financial records and project documents are maintained in compliance with policies and procedures.

• Supervise and provide guidance to the director of operations and the director of auxiliary services who are responsible for all building trades, landscaping, utilities, parking, transportation, and the facilities warehouse/supply room.

• Provide leadership to planning, design, and construction in the development of RFPs, bids, contracts, and proposals for construction and facilities related services.

• Provide leadership on the procurement and management of contracted architectural, engineering, and other professional/technical services in conjunction with the director of planning and real estate.

• Represent the University in planning/policy discussions and negotiations with North Dakota Department of Transportation

• Participate on numerous University committees and actively communicate facility initiatives to campus.

• Support the professional development of all facilities employees.

• At the direction of UND leadership, represent the interests and projects associated with UND Facilities to local, state, and federal organizations and agencies.

THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

• Bachelor’s degree

• Eight years professional experience in facilities management, capital project planning, budget management, design and construction of large-scale capital projects and supervising professional staff;

• Demonstrated track record of leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility;

• Professional experience working with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook software;

• Valid Driver’s License;

• Successful Completion of Criminal History Background Check

APPLICATIONS

Applications should include a letter of interest (not more than three pages) specifically addressing the applicant’s background in relationship to the qualifications described, a current curriculum vitae, and a list of five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of the working relationships with each. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to: ValerieR@helblingsearch.com

Applications received by June 21 are assured consideration. The UND Facilities Search Committee is being assisted by Helbling, a ZRG Company. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultant Valerie Rohn, Senior Associate at ValerieR@helblingsearch.com