Assistant Vice President of Operations, University Facilities

The University at Buffalo (UB) invites nominations and applications for the position of Assistant Vice President of Operations, University Facilities (Asst. VP).

The Assistant Vice President of Operations reports to the Associate Vice President of University Facilities and serves on the Facilities senior leadership team. The Asst. VP provides strategic leadership for the repair, maintenance, and operation of more than 110 buildings, from historic early 20th-century structures to modern research facilities. The portfolio totals about 13 million gross square feet and 600 acres of grounds. The Asst. VP leads 500–600 unionized employees across Customer Service, Buildings and Grounds, Utility Operations, Skilled Trades, Fleet Operations, and Custodial Services, and oversees an operating budget of about $45 million.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and carrying out an operations strategy aligned with institutional and research priorities
• Building a culture of accountability, safety, and service excellence
• Overseeing reactive, preventive, and predictive maintenance programs for critical infrastructure
• Setting up governance and accountability for consistent use of the CMMS
• Setting KPIs, conducting root cause analysis, and driving continuous improvement
• Developing SOPs, MOUs, service level agreements, and university-wide operations policies
• Maintaining 24/7/365 operational readiness and emergency response, in partnership with Environment, Health and Safety
• Administering collective bargaining agreements effectively and investing in staff development

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in engineering, facilities management, business administration, or a related field. They must also have at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale institutional facilities operations. Other requirements include:

• A proven record of leading large, unionized teams and complex infrastructure systems
• Expertise with CMMS, KPI development, data analytics, and budget management
• Exceptional communication skills
• A valid driver's license

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in higher education or research facilities
• Familiarity with SUNY or a comparable public system
• IFMA CFM or a related credential
• An advanced engineering degree
• Strong knowledge of building systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing

For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, please view the full position description.

About UB

The largest, most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system and a SUNY flagship, UB has seen 15 years of strong growth in research, student experience, and regional and global engagement. UB was founded in 1846 and became an Association of American Universities member in 1989. It enrolls about 32,000 students in more than 500 degree programs across 12 decanal units, with over 1,500 full-time faculty. UB is home to more than 120 research centers and institutes, and its research expenditures exceed $540 million. The university has $1 billion in annual operating revenue, generates an estimated $3 billion in economic impact across New York State, and is one of the region’s largest employers. Its three campuses are the North Campus in Amherst, the historic South Campus in Buffalo, and the Downtown Campus anchored by the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences on Buffalo’s growing medical corridor.

To Apply

The University at Buffalo has engaged Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Katie Dean, Senior Partner, and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications (resumes and letters of interest) electronically and in confidence to Thomas Lapierre at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net.

The expected hiring range for this position is $200,000-$235,000. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

This is a campus-based position.

The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic university community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. Potential applicants who share this goal, including veterans and individuals.