Vice President for Campus Operations & Facilities Management

POSITION SUMMARY & OVERVIEW

Under the visionary and progressive leadership of President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., the Vice President for Campus Operations & Facilities Management (VP-COFM) serves as a key member of the President’s Executive Cabinet and the University’s senior administrative staff. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the VP-COFM provides direct leadership and operational oversight for the comprehensive planning, development, implementation, and management of the University’s physical plant operations, facilities management, capital construction and project administration, procurement and purchasing, auxiliary services, institutional risk management, and the strategic stewardship of all University-owned real estate.

The VP-COFM will provide executive leadership and management for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the University’s facilities, grounds, buildings, operational services, and institutional risk management portfolios. In collaboration with the VP for Finance, the VP-COFM shall hold primary administrative responsibility for the coordination and oversight of all operations-related outsourced vendor relationships and master service contracts, including but not limited to housekeeping/janitorial services, grounds and landscaping, facilities maintenance, residential housing operations, transportation services, and other auxiliary service providers (excluding dining services, which remain under the primary administrative responsibility of the VP for Finance). The VP-COFM will also serve, in close collaboration with the VP for Finance, as a primary University administrator with respect to property, casualty, general liability, and other institutional insurance programs, and shall provide leadership in the identification, mitigation, and management of operational and enterprise risk. This position serves as an exemplary leader, develops, and maintains excellent working relationships with EWU employees, campus constituents, the community, vendors and contractors, insurance carriers and brokers, as well as regulatory and city/county/state/federal agencies.

The incumbent VP-COFM will also act as a primary advisor to the President on all matters concerning campus operations, capital project management, facilities strategy, and institutional risk posture, and will lead and manage campus operational projects of significance as assigned by the President. The VP-COFM shall maintain primary responsibility for assisting the President in ensuring the maximization of the operational performance, physical condition, regulatory compliance posture, and functional readiness of the University’s built environment to support achieving its strategic goals and academic mission. The VP-COFM will provide direct executive oversight of the University’s active capital project portfolio, including the $25 million Series 2026 bond-financed capital program, as well as ongoing and successive six- and seven-figure capital projects undertaken across the campus as the University continues to grow, expand, and modernize. The VP-COFM will lead the development, periodic refresh, and implementation of the University’s Campus Master Plan, and will coordinate the strategic management, utilization, leasing, and disposition of all University-owned real estate holdings.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

The VP-COFM provides executive leadership and strategic administrative support towards the implementation and actualization of the President & CEO’s vision, strategic initiatives, and overall institutional priorities. Accordingly, as an integral member of the President’s senior leadership team the VP-COFM will lead in performing executive functions including but not limited to the following at the direction of and in consultation with the President & CEO:

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for all University facilities management functions, including building operations, preventive and corrective maintenance, custodial and housekeeping services, grounds and landscape management, fleet and transportation services, and campus safety-related infrastructure, ensuring operational performance is consistently benchmarked against APPA (Leadership in Educational Facilities) standards and Levels of Service;

• Provide comprehensive executive leadership and direct management of all campus capital project management functions, with primary executive responsibility for the institution’s active capital project portfolio, which includes the University’s $25 million Series 2026 bond-financed capital program, as well as ongoing and successive six- and seven-figure capital projects undertaken across the campus as the University continues to grow, expand, and modernize. Capital project management responsibilities shall include but not be limited to: (a) the planning, programming, design oversight, procurement, execution, construction administration, commissioning, and close-out of all campus capital projects, including new construction, major renovations, additions, deferred maintenance projects, infrastructure upgrades, and bond-financed capital projects; (b) the development and administration of project budgets, schedules, scopes, and quality standards across the full capital project lifecycle; (c) the selection, contract administration, and performance management of architects, engineers, general contractors, construction managers, owner’s representatives, and other capital project professionals; (d) project change order review, value engineering, and contingency management; (e) coordination with municipal, county, and state permitting authorities, building officials, and inspectors; (f) the integration of capital projects with the Campus Master Plan and the institution’s long-term facilities strategy; (g) the maintenance of comprehensive capital project documentation, including project files, drawings of record, warranties, and close-out documentation; and (h) serving as the University’s primary owner’s representative on all capital projects, ensuring fiduciary protection of institutional interests and on-time, on-budget, on-specification delivery of every capital project undertaking;

• In collaboration with the VP for Finance, provide executive leadership for the University’s institutional risk management function, including property and casualty insurance program oversight, general liability coverage, enterprise risk identification and mitigation, contractor and vendor insurance compliance, claims management, loss prevention, and coordination with the University’s insurance carriers, brokers, and external risk advisors;

• Lead the development, periodic update, and implementation of the University’s Campus Master Plan, in alignment with the institution’s strategic plan and long-term enrollment, programmatic, and facilities growth objectives;

• Coordinate and manage all University-owned real estate holdings, including the strategic management of real property acquisitions, dispositions, leasing arrangements, easements, and utilization planning;

• In collaboration with the VP for Finance, provide executive leadership for the University’s procurement function, including the development and enforcement of procurement policies, the curation and management of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and competitive solicitation processes, vendor selection and evaluation, contract negotiation, contract administration, and ongoing procurement compliance with all applicable institutional, state, and federal requirements;

• Direct the management of all auxiliary services operations under the VP-COFM portfolio, including but not limited to residential housing operations, bookstore operations, vending, transportation, and other revenue-generating or service-supporting auxiliary functions; dining services shall remain under the primary administrative responsibility of the VP for Finance;

• In collaboration with the VP for Finance, coordinate and manage all operations-related outsourced vendor relationships within the VP-COFM portfolio, including housekeeping/janitorial, grounds/landscaping, facilities maintenance, and other third-party service providers (excluding dining services, which remain under the VP for Finance); ensure rigorous vendor performance management, service-level accountability, contract compliance, and value optimization;

• Prepare, in collaboration with the VP for Finance, capital and facilities project bid specifications, request-for-proposal documents, and scopes of work; participate in vendor and contractor selection processes; and oversee construction administration including contractor performance, change orders, and project close-out;

• Develop and administer the operating and capital budgets for the Division of Operations, Facilities Management, and Auxiliary Services; identify cost-containment opportunities and revenue enhancement strategies across operational and auxiliary functions;

• Establish and maintain comprehensive policies, procedures, standards, and protocols governing facilities operations, work-order management, space allocation and assignment, key/access control, life-safety systems, and environmental health and safety compliance;

• Ensure full institutional compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local building codes, fire and life-safety codes, ADA accessibility requirements, environmental regulations, and other regulatory standards affecting University facilities and operations;

• Provide leadership for emergency preparedness, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning as it pertains to physical plant operations, facilities, and auxiliary services; coordinate with the appropriate campus safety and emergency management functions during emergency events;

• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with municipal, county, and state regulatory agencies, utility providers, neighboring property owners, and other external stakeholders relevant to University facilities, operations, and real estate matters;

• Lead and supervise the staff of the Division of Operations, Facilities Management, and Auxiliary Services, including recruiting, training, evaluating, and developing direct reports and divisional personnel; foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement;

• Working hours may include evenings, holidays, or weekends depending on deadline requirements, emergency response needs, and special events;

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required;

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in business administration, project management, public administration, facilities management, construction management, or a closely related field is required;

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience working in some combination of facilities management, auxiliary services, purchasing, procurement, construction management, and risk management within a higher education or comparably complex operational environment;

• Demonstrated experience in the development, issuance, curation, evaluation, and award of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and other competitive solicitation instruments, including the rigorous evaluation of vendor responses and management of the bid review process;

• Demonstrated experience ensuring institutional compliance with all applicable procurement, contracting, construction, and facilities-related policies, regulations, and standards, including federal, state, and local requirements;

• Demonstrated working knowledge of and experience applying APPA (Leadership in Educational Facilities) standards, including APPA Facilities Performance Indicators, APPA Levels of Service, and APPA operational and maintenance best practices;

• Demonstrated experience leading the planning, execution, construction administration, and successful delivery of complex capital construction and renovation projects in a campus or comparably complex environment;

• Demonstrated experience in the management and oversight of outsourced operations vendors (e.g., janitorial, grounds, facilities maintenance), including performance management, service-level enforcement, and contract administration;

• Demonstrated experience in institutional risk management functions, including property and casualty insurance program oversight, contractor and vendor insurance compliance, liability mitigation, and coordination with the institution’s insurance carriers and brokers;

• Working knowledge of building systems, mechanical/electrical/plumbing infrastructure, life-safety systems, building codes, and applicable environmental and accessibility regulations;

• Experience in resolving conflicts, problem-solving, change management, and encouraging partnerships and collaboration;

• Successful mid-to-senior level management experience in a private or public, four-year institution of higher education or successful upper management level experience in a complex working environment;

• Experience in overseeing and tracking project workflow, budgets, and schedules;

• Experience with effective preparation and review of executive communications;

• Ability to represent the campus with credibility and integrity;

• Experience recommending improvements in procedure and providing analysis of policies for campus-wide implementation;

• Ability to effectively manage change and establish best practices that are tailored to the unique needs and capabilities of the institution;

• Experience working effectively with a wide range of audiences such as trustees, vice presidents, faculty, staff, students, alumni, community groups, donors, vendors and contractors, and elected officials;

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing inclusivity in the workplace.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Multiple graduate-level degrees (e.g., MBA, Master of Project Management, Master of Public Administration, Master of Construction Management) reflecting both business administration and project/operational management training;

• Prior senior cabinet-level or sub-cabinet experience (i.e., Assistant or Associate Vice President, Vice President, etc.) in a higher education institution or other senior leadership experience in a complex business/operational environment;

• Prior experience managing facilities, operations, and auxiliary services at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or other Minority Serving Institution (MSI);

• Professional credentials such as Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) or APPA Fellow designation, Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or comparable industry certification;

• Prior experience managing facilities and operations within a residential campus environment.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

• Alignment with mission: A deep resonance with the mission and possibilities of an Edward Waters University education and experience; a drive that is consistently student-centered; a commitment to proactively advance student success and diversity in all its forms;

• Vision: Vision to achieve optimum operational, facilities, and auxiliary services functionality for an institution like Edward Waters University; an entrepreneurial outlook and an eye to new possibilities and emerging challenges;

• Institutional leadership: Readiness to be an active, valued member of the President’s leadership team and partner closely with the University’s units and departments; honesty and integrity in advising the President on critical issues; the ability to see and embrace the importance of being a university leader with an eye toward the greatest success of the institution; an understanding of how to accomplish much in a centralized and decentralized institutional environment; proven effectiveness in change management; the ability to build consensus and a sense of teamwork; and the ability to inspire joy in one’s work;

• Experience in the leadership and administration of a college/university: Significant experience participating in leadership, administration, and management within a college or university setting; the capacity to lead and manage the complex interplay of interdependent college/university divisions and units including finance, athletics, fundraising and development, enrollment management, student success, etc.; the ability to optimize financial resources to ensure high quality outcomes;

• Operational and technical sophistication: Demonstrated record in being facile in operational decision-making, capital project oversight, and the management of physical plant and auxiliary services functions; strong analytical ability; and the ability to ask the right questions, uncover root causes, and translate data into operational improvements;

• Technological sophistication: Ability to understand the potential value of technological innovations — including facilities management systems, work-order platforms, building automation, energy management, and procurement technologies — and to lead the process of recommending emerging technologies that can best support operational efficiency;

• Exceptional communication skills: Ability to be articulate, persuasive, and precise in communicating with internal audiences including highly invested leadership, faculty, and staff, as well as external audiences including parents, prospective students, alumni, vendors, contractors, and regulatory authorities; desire to interact with a wide range of constituencies, administrators, and institutional partners, engaging many in the dialogue so as to move the University forward together;

• Personal qualities: An organizational leader with peerless integrity and an ability to drive a vision through engagement, transparency, hard work, and a sense of urgency; strong values aligned with high ethics, collaboration, compassion, and transparency; sound judgment backed by self-confidence and a sense of perspective; ability to work effectively in a campus culture that is relationship-oriented; and capacity to navigate a highly complex institution with political savvy, patience, tolerance for ambiguity, and high professional dexterity sufficient to ably adapt in a dynamically changing fast-paced work environment.

Note: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive or exhaustive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions required of or assigned to an employee in this position. The duties, responsibilities, and reporting relationships outlined herein are illustrative and include, but are not limited to, those expressly enumerated. Edward Waters University expressly reserves the right to modify, expand, contract, reassign, or otherwise alter the scope, duties, responsibilities, reporting structure, title, and any other terms of this position at any time, with or without prior notice, as institutional needs, priorities, and operational circumstances evolve, as determined in the sole and exclusive discretion of the President & CEO of Edward Waters University.