Assistant Vice President for Campus Operations in Worcester, Massachusetts at Assumption University

The Assistant Vice President for Campus Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and administration of the University’s campus operations, ensuring that facilities, auxiliary services, capital projects, and operational support services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with institutional priorities. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Vice President oversees contracted facilities and auxiliary service providers, supervises assigned Campus Operations staff, manages departmental budgets, and coordinates capital planning and project execution.

The Assistant Vice President maintains the University’s rolling five-year capital plan; monitors progress toward the Board-approved Campus Master Plan and works closely with university leadership to prioritize capital investments and operational improvements. The position serves as the University’s primary point of contact for contracted facilities management and auxiliary service providers, ensuring vendors meet contractual obligations, service expectations, and performance standards.

The Assistant Vice President serves as a member of the University’s Emergency Management Team and maintains on-call availability to respond to facilities emergencies and other campus operational incidents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Facilities Operations and Vendor Management

· Serve as the University’s primary liaison for the contracted facilities management partner responsible for building maintenance, custodial services, grounds, and campus infrastructure.

· Monitor contractor performance through established service standards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular operational reviews.

· Coordinate with the contracted facilities management partner to establish maintenance priorities, address operational concerns, and support long-range planning.

· Manage outsourced auxiliary service providers — including dining services, bookstore operations, vending, utilities, waste management, and other contracted campus services — ensuring vendors perform in accordance with their contract terms and University service expectations.

· Monitor vendor performance, ensure compliance with contract requirements, and work collaboratively with service providers to resolve operational issues and improve service delivery.

· Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance service quality, and reduce operating costs.

Campus Operations

· Oversee University mail services to ensure efficient operations and responsive customer service.

· Oversee the planning and operational support of internal and external events and conferences held on campus.

· Oversee the management of university-owned rental properties, including leasing coordination, maintenance oversight, and financial performance.

· Supervise the Post Office Supervisor, Events and Conference Coordinator, and Conference and Events Media Technician.

· Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development for Campus Operations staff.

Financial Management and Capital Planning

· Maintain the University’s rolling five-year capital plan in collaboration with the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer and other University leaders.

· Coordinate the planning and execution of approved capital projects, including project scope, schedules, budgets, contractor coordination, and project closeout.

· Monitor progress toward implementation of the University’s Board-approved Campus Master Plan and recommend updates as institutional priorities evolve.

· Develop, administer, and monitor the Campus Operations operating and capital budgets in coordination with the Director of Financial Planning.

· Manage departmental expenditures within approved budgets and work to achieve established revenue targets for auxiliary and fee-based services.

· Review and approve invoices, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and expense reports for Campus Operations, ensuring timely processing and compliance with University policies.

· Manage the process for identifying contract needs, renewals, and vendor selection within Campus Operations — establishing timelines, defining scope and requirements, and driving the process to completion. Financial commitments of $10,000 or more require review and approval by the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer, consistent with University policy.

· Identify opportunities for operational improvements, cost savings, and more effective use of University resources.

· Prepare reports and presentations on operational performance, budgets, capital projects, and service delivery for University leadership.

Compliance and Risk Management

· Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements affecting Campus Operations.

· Monitor contractor compliance with applicable regulations, insurance requirements, and contractual obligations.

· Develop and implement procedures to reduce operational risk and support business continuity.

Emergency Management

· Serve as a member of the University’s Emergency Management Team.

· Participate in emergency planning, training exercises, and continuity of operations planning.

· Maintain on-call availability outside normal business hours to respond to facilities emergencies, severe weather events, utility outages, and other campus operational incidents.

· Coordinate operational response activities within assigned areas of responsibility and participate in post-incident reviews.

Collaboration and Communication

· Work collaboratively with academic and administrative departments to support operational needs and improve campus services.

· Chair the University’s Campus Logistics Committee and coordinate communication among operational stakeholders.

· Build productive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, and community partners.

· Assist departments with operational planning and service-related issues.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

· Thorough knowledge of facilities operations, capital planning, construction projects, and outsourced/vendor service management.

· Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships and monitoring performance against contractual expectations.

· Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and capital planning.

· Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a complex organizational environment.

· Knowledge of vendor performance management and service level agreement (SLA) administration.

· Working knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse campus community.

· Demonstrated leadership in employee supervision, coaching, performance management, and staff development.

· High degree of professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, and discretion.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and enterprise financial and facilities management systems.

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Construction Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

· Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, campus operations, auxiliary services, capital project management, or a related field.

· Experience in higher education or another complex institutional environment strongly preferred.

· Experience managing outsourced service providers, capital projects, and departmental budgets.

Demonstrated success supervising staff, managing vendor relationships, and implementing operational improvements