Vice President for Facility Operations

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Vice President/COO, the Vice President for Facility Operations is responsible for the overall organization and management of the entire physical plant along with the operations of Public Safety & Emergency Management, Campus Recreation, Bookstores, Parking & Transportation Services and Distribution & Document Services (Facility Operations Group).  The major physical plant responsibilities are comprised of DePaul University’s two primary campus locations with sixty buildings on approximately forty acres of land, with a total exterior gross square footage of building area of approximately five million square feet. As a member of the University’s Senior Management Team, the vice president aids the Executive team in formulating and administering key university strategic initiatives.

The Vice President has five director-level positions reporting to it, working closely with each of them to provide input and guidance in key components of their operations, to include but not be limited to: annual operating & routine capital budget development; adjustments to unit critical policies, procedures & practices; and consultation regarding staffing & human resources matters. The Facility Operations Group consists of 170 FTE'S plus a significant number of outsourced positions and student service employees. The Vice President is responsible for a budget totaling nearly $100 million. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for establishing, implementing and maintaining all working criteria, specifications, and policies & procedures necessary to the effective all inclusive operation of a major institutional physical plant and security infrastructure as well as all other associated auxiliary and quasi-auxiliary operations. This includes, but is not limited to: identifying critical tasks and servicing elements; establishing maintenance patterns and routines; and establishing appropriate levels of staff support throughout.
• Serves as a key member of University’s Senior Management Team and University Joint Council, aiding in the design and implementation of strategic initiatives. Serves as the administrative liaison in support of the Physical Plant & Property Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Responsible for the effective recruitment and staffing of key professional administrative positions associated with management of all day to day aspects of the entire Facility Operations Group as it pertains to both primary campus locations.
• Responsible for the development, maintenance and reporting requirements associated with the annual Facility Operations Group operating budgets. This position is also responsible for coordinating all related processes and departments involved in the development and disbursement of funds associated with the annual routine capital budget for construction, repair and replacement activities.
• Directs the maintenance and continued development of existing Facility Operations programs to ensure the effective performance and tracking of tasks and projects required to keep buildings and grounds in good and acceptable repair. This includes but is not limited to: the Five Year Building Conditions Audit; Preventive Maintenance programs; Exterior and Structural Conditions reports; and major Operating Systems Condition Reports. The incumbent will work to establish and insure a continued level of consistent reporting and control mechanisms to be utilized by both campuses.
• Directs the development and implementation of new programs and systems required to advance all elements of the Facility Operations Group in ways consistent with changing technologies and new & improved service delivery techniques.
• Coordinates all activities and processes associated with campus space planning, to include the timely update of master building plans, maintenance of space utilization inventories, and the development and maintenance of interactive databases that allow space related detail to be utilized in multiple context.
• Directs and coordinates all activities associated with new construction and renovation projects, to include: establishing and maintaining project budgets; coordination of all architectural & design engineering disciplines; securing building permits; contractor bidding & setting contracts; the on-going supervision of all contracted activity; the specification, ordering and placement of furniture, fixtures and technology equipment; and ensuring the proper start-up of daily operating & security services to the completed project site.
• Responsible for the development of specifications, bidding processes, and establishment of contracts related to multiple major operational outsource functions to include but not be limited to: Campus Recreation; Bookstores; Food Service; Parking Services; elevator maintenance; mechanical system operations; custodial cleaning services; landscaping and window cleaning.
• Responsible for the effective coordination of Facility Operations Group policies, procedures and practices required to ensure the university’s compliance with the rules, regulations, and procedures set forth by federal, state and municipal regulatory agencies (i.e. City of Chicago Department of Buildings, OSHA, EPA, and IEPA), as it relates to building and life safety codes, chemical safety, and miscellaneous other health and safety matters.

Due to the nature of the duties and responsibilities assigned, this position often requires extended hour and occasional weekend work in order to accommodate the successful completion of both routine and non-routine tasks. This position must be on-call as needed to evaluate and respond to emergency situations pertaining to university facilities.

Qualifications

• College degree required with a Master’s degree preferred in one of the following fields of study: Facilities Operation/Property Management; Architecture; Engineering; or related business applications.
• Seven to ten years of progressive experience in a facilities management position, preferably at a comparable college or university setting.
• Five years of experience in managing auxiliary and quasi-auxiliary operations in a college or university setting preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience in the use and application of computer systems, with a focus on spreadsheet, database, and computerized maintenance software.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and municipal building codes and regulations.
• Demonstrated  knowledge and implementation of sustainability strategies and practices.
• Comfort and experience working with union labor and handling disputes and issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills.

The incumbent will interact with a wide variety of tenant, university and external contacts on a regular basis. Tenant contacts will include representatives from applicable retail and commercial office entities, and members of the professional real estate community from time to time. External contacts include local community groups and a variety of City of Chicago administrators & departments.

The incumbent will consistently maintain a proper professional appearance and image in the daily performance of their duties and responsibilities. A consistent and even temperament is crucial to effective interaction with university, tenant and external user groups and representatives. An unwavering high level of interest and enthusiasm in providing services to all Facility Operations user groups is also a key to success in this position.

About the Search

DePaul University is conducting a national with the assistance of Helbling & Associates (www.helblingsearch.com), an executive search firm specializing in areas of facilities management, construction, engineering, and real estate development.

Please Submit Applications or Nominations to 

Joe Wargo, Regional Manager

E:   JoeW@helblingsearch.com

O:  (724) 935-7500 x 107

C:   (412) 398-3762

DePaul University has a long-standing commitment to the fair and equitable treatment of its faculty, staff, and students. As a university with a strong Catholic, Vincentian, and urban heritage, this commitment is particularly integral to our mission. DePaul University is committed to preserving an environment that respects the personal rights and dignity of each member of its community by providing an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. This is in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable federal and state laws.

It is the policy of DePaul University that no person shall be the object of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, family relationship status, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information, or other status protected by local, state, or federal law in its employment or its educational settings.