Position Summary:

Illinois State University seeks a strategic and mission-oriented collaborator and leader committed to the mission, vision, and values outlined in the University’s strategic plan to serve as Associate Vice President (AVP) for Facilities Management, Planning, and Operations. The AVP reports to the Vice President for Finance and Planning and serves as the principal facilities administrator at the University and provides strategic leadership, coordination, and administrative oversight to the entire range of functions and services involved in the effective development and management of the University's physical resources; all in support of the University's academic mission.

The AVP is accountable for overseeing complex financial components for facilities planning, design and construction, architectural and engineering services, remodeling and capital renewal programs, building and grounds maintenance, heating plant, energy management, sustainability, and parking and transportation. Responsible for a team of more than 500 skilled and loyal professionals, many of whom are represented by nine unions, the AVP will continue to build a healthy culture of collaboration, teamwork, transparency, and openness throughout the entire campus.

The overarching opportunity for the AVP will be to serve as a strategic leader, one who fosters a culture that highly values customer service, engagement, communication, and responsiveness to faculty, students, and staff. Efficiency and transparency in all aspects of facilities and campus properties are highly important. The new AVP will be joining the Illinois State University community with major capital construction in progress and significant planning initiatives on the horizon. The successful candidate must provide leadership and direction that will ensure the campus continues to receive the highest level of service even as large projects are undertaken. These efforts will depend upon the successful development and maintenance of relationships at all levels of the university, including faculty, staff, students, trustees, and the broader community.

The successful candidate will bring broad-based facilities and operations experience and a record of leading change, innovating problem solutions, fostering labor relations, streamlining processes and systems, and creating and delivering large scale strategic plans and projects. The AVP for Facilities Management, Planning, and Operations will be a person of the highest integrity with a collegial style that engenders trust and inspires collaboration, along with an enthusiasm for the day-to-day management of efficient operations and excellent customer service. Leadership of similar functions in another higher education institution or a comparably complex setting will factor strongly. Successful candidates will have demonstrated people and leadership skills with the ability to engage with the front line up through the boardroom. Excellent client-service skills plus the ability to model effective communication to staff at all levels is required.

Please view the full leadership profile at http://vpfp.illinoisstate.edu for a detailed description of Illinois State University and the AVP opportunity. 

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field;
2. Demonstrated experience providing leadership, management and super-vision of facilities services functions, including working knowledge of:
   1. Personnel management and training
   2. Budget management
   3. Regulations and policies regarding facilities management, facilities planning, emergency management, grounds, and related areas;
3. Ten to fifteen (10-15) years of progressively responsible experience working in a facilities related environment with at least 5 years at the Director level or above;
4. Proven leadership experience and a demonstrated ability to work productively and collaboratively in a large institutional environment;
5. Strong collaborative interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive and effective relationships across campus with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies, as required, in a professional, business-like manner;
6. Ability to effectively communicate complex information clearly to a variety of audiences;
7. Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion;
8. Demonstrated ability to be a creative problem-solver, a strategic thinker, and an effective decision maker;
9. Demonstrated commitment to quality, customer service, staff development, and safety;
10. Training and experience in project management and performance management; and
11. Ability to work, develop professionally, and adapt to challenges and changes within the fields of facilities services, parking and transportation, inventory management, and asset management.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in a related field;
2. Experience in a university setting;
3. Experience with public university - state's capital appropriation processes; and
4. An appropriate professional certification.

Application Process:

We invite inquiries, nominations, and applications.  Initial review of applications will begin on September 9, 2019, and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements of the position and a current resume or curriculum vitae. References will be requested from finalists. These materials should be submitted electronically via Illinois State University’s application portal. The direct link to apply is as follows:  http://www.jobs.ilstu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=77943. Questions and nominations may be directed to Lisa Mason, Director for Executive Search Services, at lmmason@ilstu.edu or 309-438-7487.

Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions.

Illinois State University:

Founded in 1857, Illinois State is a coeducational, residential university that emphasizes undergraduate study. Its six colleges offer approximately 160 undergraduate majors, 91 master’s programs, 14 doctoral degrees, and 30 certificate options.  Illinois State was named a 2019 Top 100 Public University based on U.S. News & World Report rankings and has repeatedly been named a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Bloomington-Normal Community:

Illinois State University is located in the twin-city community of Bloomington-Normal, with a population of approximately 132,000 and is located within easy driving distance of the financial and business centers in Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Expansion Management Magazine rated Bloomington-Normal as one of two metro areas with a five-star quality of life, giving the community high rankings in such areas as standard of living, quality of schools, and traffic and commute.