Vice President for Facilities and Operations

How to Apply

The University of Michigan has selected Diversified Search Group to assist with this search. All applications must be submitted through Diversified Search Group. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://www.dsgco.com/search/21910-um-vpfo/.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan, which is internationally renowned for its innovative academics, research and patient care and has an operating budget of more than $14 billion and a current capital program of $11 billion, seeks an outstanding individual for the position of Vice President for Facilities and Operations (VPFO), pending approval from the Board of Regents. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the VPFO is a key member of the Business & Finance executive leadership team. 

The VPFO manages facilities for all of our physical properties, including 37 million square feet of building space on the Ann Arbor campus, and includes responsibility for sophisticated and complex academic, research, and clinical facilities, as well as the associated environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance. The VPFO also manages large-dollar construction projects for Michigan Medicine and the Dearborn and Flint campuses. 

The VPFO provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational planning for the following groups: Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Custodial & Grounds Services; Environment, Health & Safety; Logistics, Transportation & Parking; Maintenance Services; Operational Support; Capital Projects Alternative Delivery; and Utilities. There are approximately 1,700 employees in the organization, including approximately 1,100 union employees represented by three different contracts. The operating budget for the division is approximately $380 million/year.  Annual construction expenditures for the University are forecasted at over $1 billion/year over the next five years. 

As a critical member of the EVPCFO's leadership team, the VPFO is responsible for stewarding the organization's physical properties, providing exceptional service to university customers, and demonstrating a personal commitment to inclusive leadership practices.

The VPFO position is highly complex and has significant impact on facilities, campus land-use strategy, policy and organizational effectiveness across the enterprise. This role is highly visible and will interact with constituencies across the enterprise including the Board of Regents.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Incentive compensation for individual and group goal achievements 
• Generous time off
• Two for one retirement contribution after a year of service
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Vacation plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive facilities planning approach that ensures outcomes align with the university's strategic priorities outlined in Campus Plan 2050 and Vision 2034.
• Identify and adopt innovative processes in facilities planning, vendor/partner selection and contracting, and construction management to meet program/stakeholder objectives, reduce cycle time, improve service, and decrease the "total cost of ownership."
• Partner with the associate vice president for sustainability to accelerate the adoption of innovative sustainability measures in facilities construction and management, power generation, and distribution to help the university meet its carbon neutrality and sustainability goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure spaces are being employed to the highest and best use and enhance the overall experience of all constituents.
• Develop and communicate a compelling shared purpose for staff that aligns with the institution's values, ethics, and workplace culture.
• Lead the construction, operations, and maintenance activities of all physical/infrastructure assets, including ground and transportation, to ensure a high standard of safety, functionality and comfort for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Skills You Have

• Possesses a broad and deep knowledge base around best practices for construction/renovation management, operations, alternative delivery models, facilities services, decarbonization, and creating a culture of safety, especially those closely related to academic life and the student experience or similar environments.
• Has a demonstrated commitment to cultivating collaborative relationships and building beneficial partnerships across all institution levels and the surrounding community.
• Possesses exceptional leadership, integrity, and organizational development abilities that inspire and nurture others, promoting a positive culture of unity, innovation, and teamwork throughout the division.
• Embraces a systems mindset, which includes a proactive approach to the job, the ability to take the initiative, identify areas that are lacking, provide efficient solutions for long-term success, see beyond the present day, and firmly understand how decisions may impact the institution in the long term.
• Maintains a strong sense of self, integrity, and confidence to appropriately challenge processes, actively listen to others, and genuinely advocate and connect with staff.

Required Qualifications*

• The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred) in a related field with a minimum of ten years of leadership and management experience in a complex organization, including expert proficiency in leading a wide range of construction, engineering, facilities, and utilities operations work, including optimizing operations, providing quality service, and cost-effective service delivery.
• Eight (8) years of experience leading a large organization with a diverse base of professionals across the employee lifecycle, including workforce planning, recruiting, professional development, performance management, and succession planning, are required.
• Must have applied experience leading the development of facilities strategic planning and bringing those plans through to implementation, as well as deep technical expertise in construction and renovation management, including knowledge and appreciation of high-quality and environmentally sound design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead effectively through transformational change, experience leading a portfolio of large dollar and complex construction projects, and commitment to university values are required of the VPFO.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

To learn more about Business & Finance at the University Michigan, visit www.bf.umich.edu. 

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.