University of Rochester

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Senior Associate Vice President, Facilities & Services for the University of Rochester.

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

Position Description:

The Senior Associate Vice President of University Facilities and Services (SAVP) reports to the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (EVP) and serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

The SAVP has operational oversight for all University properties, leading an organization of approximately 800 people. Leadership responsibilities include Utilities and Energy Services, Planning, Design and Construction, and Maintenance and Operations for all facilities and grounds.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring that the physical environment supports the institution’s mission, enhances the student experience, supports patients and research and meets the highest standards for sustainability, reliability, safety, and efficiency.

In this strategic role, the SAVP works in close collaboration with senior leadership to align University strategic plan goals and programmatic priorities with the physical development and maintenance of University facilities. The SAVP regularly presents to the Board of Trustees Facilities and Campus Planning Committee at the request of the EVP and champions the 'One University' approach through collaborative policy and process design.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Operational leadership – 35% of Time Spent

Oversees approximately $150m operating budget approximately $500m annual capital planning and implementation budget.

•  Provide executive leadership and management to University Facilities and Services, providing supervision, engagement, and operational support, while creating a positive workplace that is highly proficient in the delivery of world-class facilities solutions.
• Responsible for facility operations which includes:
  • Maintenance of University operated facilities for all divisions including central and offsite locations.
  • Asset management group
  • Internal self-performed construction group
  • Customer service center
  • Materials Management
  • Horticulture & Grounds department
  • Engineering and Commissioning
• Responsible for energy and utilities including utilities production, operations and maintenance of utilities distribution system, building automation controls, cogeneration and infrastructure analysis and energy management.
• Responsible for the planning, design and construction group that manages the development and implementation of capital construction projects.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for all campus buildings, grounds, and infrastructure to ensure safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing facilities.
• Lead initiatives to optimize operational efficiency, including leveraging technology, data analytics, and industry best practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.

 Strategic leadership – 35% of Time Spent

Ensures comprehensive strategic planning including strong centralized master planning and capital project stewardship. Develops and manages standardized processes and planning principles to increase efficiency, building strong relationships across divisions and ensuring compliance with programmatic and financial governance and University policy. Champions the capital process approach and governance with leadership across the University.

• Provide strategic direction and executive leadership for all facilities related operations, including maintenance, grounds, custodial services, utilities, energy management, and capital project delivery.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive campus facilities master plan that supports institutional goals, enrollment strategies, clinical strategies, and research strategies.
• Collaborates with real estate and space management, finance, office of counsel and other divisions on operational and capital projects for university owned and controlled properties.
• Collaborates with leaders of the University’s operating divisions and engages faculty, staff and students to establish goals and objectives of facilities programs.
• Works with university and board committees to facilitate prioritization and approval for University projects.
• Collaborates with Government and Community relations develop opportunities for grant funding and to represent the University to neighborhood community organizations, the City of Rochester and various municipalities.
• Collaborates with central finance to align and maintain standardized and transparent budget practices aligned with central finance practices.
• Serves as a member of the University's Capital Committee, the Space Planning Committee, and the Physical Security Improvement Committee, and participates as needed in various committees on campus and in the local community.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Academic Center and Medical Center leadership on capital investment and campus development strategies.

Management and Administration – 20% ofTime Spent

• Approves and recommends operating and capital budgets for the Facilities organization while auditing and tracking processes and project data.
• Establishes key metrics and measures to ensure success and reports regularly on performance and efficiency initiatives across the organization to demonstrate data informed decision making.
• Adheres to University policies and guidelines for obtaining capital project approvals from clients, senior leadership and Board of Trustees, and complies with all local, state and federal permitting requirements.
• Develops organizational strategy and recommends staffing model to align with University requirements. Maintains existing University policies and procedures related to facilities and services and recommends new policy to ensure alignment with University principles and best practices. Provides departmental policy guidance per the University Policy on Policy-Making, and approves changes as needed to UFS operating procedures.
• Maintains process and customer service excellence to build organizational efficiencies based on best practices, and compliance with state and federal regulations and university policies.
• Supervises and reviews performance of senior staff and management of human resources activities. Retains and develops staff by demonstrating and cultivating leadership, team building and career development capabilities.
• Displays a high degree of emotional intelligence and goal-oriented, accountable leadership.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of directors, managers, and staff.

Other duties as assigned – 10% of TimeSpent

About URochester: ‍

Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading research universities and is the cultural, artistic, and educational leader for the region. The University’s motto, Meliora, embodies the goals of the University, which are to “learn, discover, heal, create – and make the world ever better.” It is noted among top research universities as being exceptionally collaborative, offering both the intellectual excitement of a major research university with a top academic medical center and the intimacy and opportunities of a great liberal arts college. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report, URochester ranked 46th among Best National Universities and 28th for Best Value.

Located in the City of Rochester on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and northwest of the picturesque Finger Lakes in New York State, the University of Rochester community includes more than 1,000 faculty, nearly 12,000 students, and 30,000 staff, making it the largest private sector employer in upstate New York.  

The University's patient care enterprise includes Strong Memorial Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Center, and Golisano Children's Hospital along with other affiliate hospitals and clinics in the region. It is a Level One regional trauma center and has upstate New York's only cardiac and liver transplant programs, operates a Comprehensive Stroke Center and is nationally recognized for groundbreaking treatment across several specialties. Celebrating its 100-year history in 2025, the Medical Center also earned a significant milestone when the National Cancer Institute named Wilmotas the nation's 73rd designated cancer center, placing it in the top 4 percent of all cancer centers in the United States.

The University is also one of the country's top-tier research institutions. It was one of the first academic institutions to receive a Clinical and Translational Science award from the National Institute of Health. The University is a research destination of choice with over 60 centers and institutes, awarded $485M in annual funding.

Location:

Rochester, NY

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or construction management or a related discipline.
• Ten years of progressive senior level management experience in facilities management, including five years of experience in an educational or medical setting, preferably in a research university with an academic medical center.
• A technical background which includes exposure to several of the disciplines critical to facilities management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of operating and capital budgeting and management.
• Demonstrated successful fiscal experience in capital planning and managing operating budgets of $100 million or more.
• Experience in contracting, negotiating and collaborating with external agencies.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and critical thinking ability
• Strong business and analytical acumen to enhance divisional efficiency and ability to share specific financial data related to physical plant expenses.
• Executive level presentation, writing and communication skills and experience presenting to various groups such as donors, government partners, community interest organizations, University community members and alumni.
• Resourcefulness and the ability to manage complex issues with multiple stakeholders acrossvarious organizations.
• Team oriented -facilitation and collaboration
• Understanding of the role of “place” and excellence in campus quality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business, engineering, architecture, public administration or related field.
• Data analysis and process improvement experience
• Architecture and/or engineering licensing or training

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability,ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions,employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.