Associate Vice President, Facilities Construction, Engineering and Management

The Associate Vice President for Facilities Construction, Engineering and Management is responsible for engineering, maintenance, renovation, transportation and logistics, design and construction, and facilities operations. The position provides leadership and supervision for all activities related to the development, improvement and maintenance of physical assets including routine upkeep and improvement of building equipment, facilities renovations, capital improvement projects, utilities, custodial services, grounds keeping, pest control, and property management. This position reports to the Vice President for Safety & Facilities.

Key Functions of the Position include:
• Develops and reinforces a service centric approach to all aspects of facilities management (e.g., engineering, construction projects, property management, and maintenance);
• Establishes the standard of excellence for delivering core facilities’ services while balancing expense and efficiencies.
• Ensures effective utilization of GW resources throughout the building process ensuring effective planning, design excellence, and quality construction.
• Leverage resources, including consultant and contractor expertise, to deliver projects on time and on budget while adhering to industry standards and best practices.
• Establishes strategic plans, goals and objectives for the development, maintenance and operation of campus facilities;
• Ensures that services are delivered in a quality fashion and in a manner that prioritizes customer service;
• Develops and monitors service metrics to ensure service standards are being met;
• Manages continued evolution of the service and operational culture of the unit and change management and continual evolution of cultural change within unit;
• Oversees implementation of the university’s capital plan for facilities including both major construction/redevelopment and routine capital repair and replacement projects;
• Ensures that campus facilities operate in an effective manner that meets the needs of various campus stakeholders;
• Manages the university’s utility portfolio including procurement, delivery and ongoing operational oversight;
• Conducts regular assessments of real property and provides recommendations for changes, updates, maintenance and other improvements within the context of resource constraints;
• Serves as a key member of the university’s emergency response team, and participates either directly or through subordinates during events requiring crisis intervention and mobilization of resources to address such events;
• Establishes and sustains a network of contacts with local governments and quasigovernment agencies to facilitate the coordination of technical, compliance and regulatory matters;
• Provides regular and effective communications to the university community on status of projects and initiatives in coordination with various university communications resources;
• Develops and manages the capital and operating budget for the unit;
Prepares analysis and reports related to the effective and efficient operations of the unit for senior management.
• Oversees practices related to contracting and use of contracted support throughout the unit;
• Manages the recruitment, selection, training, coaching and performance management of department personnel, either directly or through subordinate;
• Participates in ongoing professional development opportunities;
• Maintains positive relationships with union leadership and participates, as appropriate, in union collective bargaining processes; and
• Maintains positive relationships with key stakeholders including university leadership (including the President and cabinet-level officials) as well as students, faculty and staff of the organization.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as deemed necessary.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

In the heart of the nation’s capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University (GW) was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students. As one of the largest private employers in the District of Columbia, the University seeks employees who support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a demonstrated track record of integrity and success in prior roles with the ability to apply sound judgement.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

This position requires an individual with the following characteristics:
• Commitment to GW’s values;
• Intellectual, professional and a person of integrity;
• Honest, with the highest ethical standards;
• Passionate, collaborative, strategic, and smart with a hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves orientation;
• Ability to work independently. Self-starter; hard worker. Takes initiative; very high energy;
• Personally accountable. Assumes ownership, control and accountability for all areas of responsibility and commitments made to others;
• Sincere, open, and direct communicator. Puts organizational interests above self- interests and is comfortable expressing candid opinions;
• Highest levels of responsiveness;
• Combination of strong intellect that is combined with a practical and realistic common sense understanding of how to get things done;
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to succeed and exert the extraordinary effort often required;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high growth, entrepreneurial environment;
• Ability to work with faculty and staff in a respectful way;
• Establish trust and credibility with institutional leadership and across the University;
• Seeks “win-win” solutions to help foster continued integration and collaboration;
• Flexible and receptive to change; and
• A positive “can-do” attitude.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTITUDE

• Sensitivity for and understanding of academic disciplines and issues;
• Ability to work with faculty, staff, and professionals in multiple settings and locations and to promote diversity in the workplace;
• Appreciation for the data that will be required to make meaningful management decisions;
• Comfort with loose, matrix organizational structures; and
• Recognition that being effective and results oriented is paramount.