University of Richmond

Senior Associate Vice President of Campus Operations
Richmond, VA

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Description

The University of Richmond has retained ZRG to conduct an executive search to secure a Senior Associate Vice President of Campus Operations.

For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image below.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the executive vice president and chief operating officer (EVP), the senior associate vice-president for campus operations (SAVP) is responsible for overseeing a diverse team of over 450 employees who provide goods and services necessary to meet the educational objectives of the university. Direct reports to the SAVP include the executive director of dining services, executive director of campus business services, executive director of facilities operations, the university architect, and director of finance and administration, and a dedicated administrative coordinator. The University’s Director of Sustainability will report jointly to both the SAVP and the Office of the Provost.

Responsibilities: 

• Leadership and Oversight: Lead and manage a diverse team across multiple operational units, including dining services, campus business services, facilities management, design and construction, finance for campus operations, and sustainability.
• Strategic Planning: Coordinate regularly with senior leadership to align campus operations with the university’s strategic priorities, ensuring the effective deployment of financial, human, and physical resources.
• Budget Management: Oversee and monitor a $60 million operational budget, advising the EVP on both short-term needs and long-term financial planning.
• Operational Excellence: Promote a culture of service, efficiency, and continuous improvement within campus operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery across all departments.
• Workforce Communication: Develop and implement effective communication strategies to engage a diverse workforce across trades and talent levels.
• Industry Awareness: Stay informed on trends, best practices, and innovations in campus operations to ensure the university remains competitive and forward-thinking.
• Partnership Development: Cultivate strong working relationships across the university to support collaboration, operational integration, and customer satisfaction.
• Human Resources Management: Establish and maintain positive communications and employee relations practices to foster a supportive and productive work environment.
• Performance Evaluation: Monitor departmental performance, establish key performance indicators (KPIs), and implement strategies for continuous assessment and improvement.

About Client:

Founded in 1830 in Richmond, Virginia, The University of Richmond provides a collaborative learning and research environment unlike any other in higher education, offering students an extraordinary combination of the liberal arts with law, business, leadership studies, and continuing education. As a top 25 liberal arts university, UR celebrates the idea of a changing and evolving world, and we make it our mission to prepare Spiders to lead it. The university currently enrolls approximately 3,150 undergraduates from 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and 62 countries, and 855 graduate/professional students.

The University of Richmond is distinguished by its integrated academic model, which encourages students to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and tailor their education to their passions and career goals. Whether studying at the Robins School of Business—one of the top-ranked undergraduate business programs in the nation—or participating in groundbreaking legal studies at the School of Law, students are empowered to think critically and act ethically. Signature programs such as The Richmond Guarantee ensure that every undergraduate has access to a fellowship of up to $5,000 for a summer research or internship experience, reflecting the university’s deep commitment to experiential learning and career development.

Requirements

Desired Skills and Abilities

• Personable and supportive leader who builds strong relationships and fosters unity across campus operations departments.
• Demonstrates strong leadership through collaborative, inclusive, transparent, and empowering approaches without micromanaging.
• Humble and inspiring, providing teams with both support and autonomy to ensure the success of all campus operations units.
• Advocates for staff and champions innovative, high-quality programs that attract, develop, motivate, and retain a diverse workforce.
• Communicates effectively, clearly articulating decision rationales to staff and stakeholders
• Genuinely committed to sustainability, with strong knowledge of best practices and strategies preferred.
• Possesses a deep understanding and appreciation of higher education culture and mission, regardless of prior industry experience.
• Skilled in operations, planning, crisis/emergency management, and project management
• Proven ability to prioritize and implement complex initiatives such as the 2025 University of Richmond Campus Plan.
• Capable of leading succession planning, staff development, and mentoring employees at all career stages.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and 10 years progressively responsible administrative experience are required. 
• A master’s degree in related discipline and at least five years of successful experience in managing multiple auxiliary elements of a residential college or university are preferred. 
• The ideal candidate will be an excellent leader, manager and partner who possesses working knowledge of facilities management, self-operated dining services and auxiliary services in a residential university or non-profit setting.

Application and Nomination

The University has a policy of non-discrimination with regard to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, status as a veteran, or any classification protected by local, state or federal law. It is the intent of the University's employment and personnel practices to conform with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination. It is the obligation of each employee of the University in his or her area of responsibility to adhere to this policy.

Review of applications will occur immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted to Valerie Rohn directly at vrohn@zrgpartners.com. Nominations for this position and applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Valerie Rohn at 412.298.7905.