Vice President of Facilities, Maintenance, and Grounds

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI in its search for Vice President of Facilities, Maintenance, and Grounds.

For full consideration, please apply by January 23, 2025.

Reporting to the President and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President of Facilities, Maintenance, and Grounds (FMG) is responsible for the design, renovation, maintenance and upkeep of all College owned and leased property and facilities at Michigan’s #1 Community College in one of America’s top college cities. The ideal candidate for this broad-based role will be a strategic, executive-level leader with a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility and the ability to assess the impact of their decisions on processes and budgets. They will bring a comprehensive, big-picture approach to overseeing facilities, maintenance, and grounds, with proven expertise in managing major capital construction projects efficiently and effectively.

This position provides leadership and vision for college wide facility operations, facilitating the capital planning process for deferred maintenance, capital renewal projects, renovations, and new construction. The role also encompasses the procurement of all materials related to FMG as well as interior and exterior furnishings, and construction and professional design services. The Vice President of FMG provides executive oversight of employees and fosters a productive, safe and compliant work environment encompassing all stages of employment from recruitment and onboarding to ongoing performance evaluations and exit processes.

Responsibilities include establishing and administering both short- and long-range plans to ensure the smooth operation of the College’s building and grounds. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Central Power Plant

• Mechanical Systems and Electrical Systems

• Buildings and Grounds Maintenance

• Custodial Services

• Warehouse and Receiving

• Mail Services

• Energy Management

• Environmental Safety and Risk Management

• Recycling and Sustainability
• Construction Management

By maintaining a strong attention to detail, this role supports the College’s mission and strategic plan, ensuring that campus facilities, grounds equipment, and fixtures provide a safe and attractive environment that fosters student, employee, and community safety and success.

This position reports to the President. The position oversees a management team of nine (9), and a unionized workforce of 73, with an operating budget of approximately $14 million and a capital budget of approximately $10 million.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the work of architects, engineers, site planners, contractors in the development of plans for construction, renovation, and site projects throughout the campus.  Review and approve designs, plans, materials and procurement and furnishings. Assess cost implications of specifications, ensuring compliance with safety standards and accessibility measures throughout the planning, programming, design, bidding, and construction phases of capital projects.
• Develop and implement college policies and procedures for the maintenance, modification, and repair of all equipment, including permanently installed instructional equipment.
• Prepare the Capital Outlay budget, capital construction budgets and operational budgets for approval by President and the Board of Trustees and submit to the state as required.
• Serve as an internal consultant to college administrators, directors and department heads, assisting in the development of requirements and specifications for all major capital, maintenance, and construction projects.  Act as liaison between campus staff and construction managers, architects, engineers, designers and other design consultants.
• Implement the Campus Master Plan to ensure compliance with time schedules and project completion.
• Establish, manage, and monitor budgets for each operation within the facility, maintenance and grounds operational units for efficiency and effectiveness within approved budgetary guidelines.
• Plan, direct and evaluate the maintenance of all ground and physical facilities including the preventative and deferred maintenance programs, repair of buildings, grounds and equipment; analyze costs and work schedules; set priorities for assignments; prioritize operations and repairs; and routinely inspect the campus for quality of repairs and maintenance and areas that need improvement.
• Lead, support and implement the College Sustainability Plan which strives to improve campus impact upon the environment and manage energy management and sustainability aspects of the facility operations.
• Provide guidance and leadership to the Director of Environmental Safety and Risk & Liability Management to ensure comprehensive environmental, health, safety, and risk compliance is maintained.
• Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators for the Facilities, Maintenance and Grounds Division which drives operational excellence and high customer service satisfaction, while minimizing costs.
• Maintain liaison with various local, county and state officials and agencies in such areas as construction, fire safety systems, funding, site development, zoning, roads, parking, permits and right-of-way.
• Serves as College liaison with professional service, architect, and construction firms.
• Ensure the implementation of facilities related regulations including but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Michigan Barrier Free regulations, State Construction Codes, and Federal and State OSHA industrial safety requirements.
• Prepare reports on facilities activities for the President and present information at public meetings.
• Administer Facilities, Maintenance and Grounds Management operations by supervising, training and evaluating personnel as well as making recommendations regarding the hiring, discipline, and discharge of personnel.
• Provide leadership to building and grounds staff to ensure a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment and guarantees that maintenance of space is functional, structurally sound, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Responsible for financial security, fiscal management and sound business practices when making expenditure decisions regarding facilities budget and repairs, replacements, and restoration.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the President.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or related engineering discipline.
• Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of progressively more leadership work experience at the executive level reporting directly to the President/CEO as executive director, associate vice president or above, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Ten (10) years’ experience managing renovation and major capital construction projects from inception through occupancy
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and procedures including building and life safety codes, and Capital Outlay Plans
• Ten (10) years’ experience preparing and managing contracts involving professional design consultants including architects, landscape architects and civil, mechanical and electrical engineers
• Experience in engineering, finance, purchasing, working with architectural firms, as well as human and public relations
• Extensive experience as an executive overseeing facilities and construction projects for large organizations, encompassing new construction, deferred maintenance grants, property procurement, etc.
• Broad and deep design, capital planning, construction management, and facility-management expertise
• Demonstrated administrative ability to plan, organize and direct the resources and activities of diverse College departments
• Strong communication and relationship skills
• Effective oral, written and interpersonal skills in order to effectively communicate with staff, administrators and the general public
• Demonstrated record of achievement in effectively managing energy and campus utilities and systems
• Working knowledge of the facets of public safety, environmental health and safety, risk management, facilities planning, construction, and maintenance operations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree desired
• Higher education experience preferred

About the Institution

Washtenaw Community College was established in 1965, when Washtenaw County voters passed a millage to provide financial support for a countywide community college. WCC opened with a 6-member Board of Trustees, a newly appointed president, and a parcel of land in Ann Arbor and Superior Townships. Classes started in September 1966 on a temporary campus at Willow Run, with 1200 students enrolled in 30 occupational programs and a transfer curriculum.

From this modest beginning, WCC has grown into one of the nation’s premier community colleges with an annual enrollment of more than 18,000 students in credit classes each year, and thousands more in Economic and College Development classes. The diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 100+ foreign countries. The 285-acre campus and strategically located extension centers, operating resources, technology-enabled facilities, and instructional quality are the envy of post-secondary education institutions near and far.

Living in the Area

Ann Arbor, with a population of 120,000, is consistently ranked “Best of” in numerous categories by multiple sources including being #1 in the Top 100 Best Places to Live ranking in 2018 conducted by Livability. The city hosts the best schools and universities in the entire state of Michigan and education is a priority for Ann Arbor locals. With more than 90% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a public park, Ann Arbor ranks high in walkability. Charming streets lined with bookstores, shopping, and unique culinary offerings set the backdrop for street fairs and a thriving arts scene. There are endless opportunities for sports, hiking and to enjoy nature along the Huron River which runs through the center of town. The city has lower unemployment and crime rates than the national average.

To Apply

For full consideration, please apply by January 23, 2025.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyqo4kb

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to WCCVPfmg@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

WCC EEO/AA Statement  

Washtenaw Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Washtenaw Community College does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by federal and state statutes. Nor does the college discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Washtenaw Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. 

Please visit Washtenaw Community College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion for more information and upcoming events.