Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities

The University of Arkansas seeks an Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities to lead campus facilities operations, including maintenance, construction management, and sustainability initiatives. This strategic role involves collaboration with university leadership and managing over 300 staff. Responsibilities include developing a vision for campus facilities, overseeing daily operations, ensuring efficient resource use, and managing capital projects to support the university's mission of student success and research.
About the position

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities will serve as a strategic leader within the campus community infrastructure team, providing leadership, planning, direction, and oversight of campus facilities operations, building maintenance, plant and building systems, utility production and distribution, construction management, and facility support services. This position will also facilitate critical collaboration and communication within the campus community infrastructure team, with the broader campus community, and with the external community, U of A System, and state partners. The University of Arkansas is currently performing nearly half a billion in active projects and another half billion that are in the planning stage. This role is crucial for ensuring that the campus environment supports the institution's mission and objectives of student success, research, and being an employer of choice. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape the future of the university's facilities and infrastructure. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities will manage an organization of over 300 full-time employees, including the following direct reports and their respective teams: Director of Campus Planning and Design, Director of Engineering and Construction, Director of Business, Fiscal & Support Services, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Director of Facility Operations and Maintenance, Sustainability Manager, and Central Utility Plant Foreman. The role encompasses strategic leadership, operational management, construction and renovation projects, facilities planning and space management, sustainability and environmental stewardship, safety and compliance, and budget and financial management. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Responsibilities
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for campus facilities that aligns with the university's overall mission and strategic goals.
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• Collaborate with senior university leadership to develop long-term campus planning efforts, master plans, space utilization, and sustainability initiatives; prioritize and fund capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
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• Communicate effectively with the facilities team, senior administration, university stakeholders, contractors, vendors, consultants, and community leaders.
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• Proactively solve problems, make course corrections, and improve processes.
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• Exhibit financial acumen in planning and execution.
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• Identify, recruit, retain, and develop diverse talent in alignment with the university's mission and values.
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• Oversee the daily operations of the facilities management department, including maintenance, groundskeeping, custodial services, and utility services.
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• Ensure effective and efficient use of resources, including budgeting, staffing, and procurement processes.
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• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.
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• Manage the planning, design, and construction of new buildings, renovations, and major capital projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
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• Coordinate with campus units, architects, contractors, and external consultants to achieve project goals.
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• Collaborate with campus leadership on space planning and allocation to ensure optimal use of campus facilities.
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• Develop and maintain a comprehensive facilities database and management system.
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• Conduct regular assessments of campus space needs and recommend adjustments as necessary.
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• Lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the university's environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices.
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• Implement energy management programs and initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
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• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students on sustainability education and outreach efforts.
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• Ensure all campus facilities comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including safety, health, and environmental standards.
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• Develop and implement policies and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment.
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• Oversee emergency preparedness and response plans related to facilities and infrastructure.
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• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of facilities professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
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• Promote professional development opportunities and continuous learning for facilities staff.
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• Develop and manage the facilities department's annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring financial accountability and transparency.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business management, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education.
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• At least ten years of leadership experience in the facilities arena, working in a broad, multifaceted private or public sector organization.
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• Demonstrated experience leading and developing successful teams, delivering exceptional service, collaborating across a large organization, and delivering on strategic initiatives and capital projects.
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• Strong knowledge of facilities operations, construction management, space planning, and sustainability practices.
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• Demonstrated excellence with strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills.
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• Strong financial acumen and experience managing large budgets and capital projects.
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• Demonstrated excellence with outstanding communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
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• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including university leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

Nice-to-haves
• Master's degree in management (MBA) from an accredited institution of higher education.
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• Professional engineer, mechanical or civil engineer.
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• At least fifteen years of managerial experience in the facilities arena.
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• At least five years of experience in higher education.

Benefits
• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
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• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
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• 12 official holidays.
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• Immediate leave accrual.
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• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.