CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Req #: | 169318 |
Department: | UW FACILITIES |
Appointing Department Web Address: | https://facilities.uw.edu/ |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 06/28/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Campus Utilities & Operations, Building Services, Transportation Services and Safety. Supporting these groups, as well as the separate Emergency Management team, are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group.
We have an outstanding opportunity for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) .
Reporting to the Vice President for UW Facilities has operational and strategic oversight of UW’s campus infrastructure and built environment. The position is accountable for providing stewardship, operational and maintenance oversight, transportation, and capital project delivery or execution.
This position has responsibility for an annual operating budget of $105 million, annual utilities budget of $35 million, and typically $500 million for ongoing capital construction projects.
As one of the world’s preeminent public universities, the University of Washington (UW) educates more than 57,000 students on its three campuses and conducts over $1.4B in funded research. The University also comprises UW Medicine, a world-class health-care organization known for its medical discoveries, teaching programs, and compassionate care provided to patients every day.
The Seattle campus is one of the most iconic settings for a university campus in the country, encompassing 680 acres, 285 buildings with 24 million gross square feet (GSF), 22 miles of campus road & pathways, and two central power plants including seven miles of utility tunnels.
The University of Washington is deeply committed to the stewardship of its natural and built environments. The COO of UW Facilities is a key leader in providing operational oversight and direction for the critical resources supporting the University’s mission. The COO of UW Facilities is responsible for capital project delivery across all campuses, and for day-to-day operation of the Seattle campus. The COO is the leader of a department with over 800 employees.
The Operations Organization
The Operations organization consists of the following departments:
• Project Delivery Group – Responsible for delivery of major and minor capital construction projects at UW Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma and Harborview Medical Center.
• Maintenance & Construction – Responsible for maintenance and alterations of Seattle campus facilities and grounds.
• Campus Utilities & Operations – Responsible for utility systems, building systems, and two power plants.
• Building Services Department – Responsible for cleaning and upkeep of Seattle campus buildings, and UW Recycling which diverts over two tons of waste daily.
• Transportation Services – Responsible for Parking, Commuter Services, Fleet and other transportation functions on Seattle campus.
• Safety – Responsible for UW Facilities employee safety and safety training for more than 1,100 employees, plus vendor/contractor safety.
• Regulated Materials – Responsible for the safe identification and removal of regulated materials such as asbestos and lead.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
• Responsible for the strategic and directional oversight of all departments listed above.
• Responsible for the Safety Program for UW Facilities and implementation requirements to ensure a safe work environment within UW Facilities and for all construction projects.
• Provide strategic leadership by aligning Operations’ performance and values with the University’s commitment to teaching, research, clinical care, and service.
• Interpret government policies and regulations to ensure compliance and reduction of risk for the institution, including compliance with federal, clean air and clean water statutes.
• Collaborate with high-level University leadership (VPs, President, Provost) relative to campus operations and capital construction requirements.
• Oversee the execution and cost management of new construction and renovation projects, utilizing least cost life-cycle principles.
• Oversee the execution of maintenance activities, capital improvements, and facilities-related sustainability projects across campus, using a portfolio-driven methodology.
• Overall responsibility for an annual operating budget of $105 million, annual utilities budget of $35 million, and typically $500 million for ongoing capital construction projects.
• Serve as senior member of the UW Facilities Executive Team.
• Chair, facilitate, or otherwise contribute to the work of important committees and governance groups.
• Present to the Board of Regents as needed.
• Lead the Facilities organization in continuing to improve performance as a service-oriented, professional, and efficient unit capable of addressing the diverse needs of a growing research campus in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Ensure the periodic measurement and evaluation of Facilities’ performance by its internal and external customers in order to obtain feedback that supports continuous performance improvement.
• Provide expert professional guidance on matters of campus stewardship, capital budgeting, occupancy and facilities operations.
• Provide leadership related to UW’s commitment to sustainability in the construction and operation of the campus, and in managing energy consumption and environmental impact.
• Ensure the ongoing professional development of Facilities employees.
• Promote a high-performing and service-organization culture, with an environment characterized by respect, professionalism, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration with the unions.
• Oversee two power plants that provide heating/cooling for 285+ buildings, including critical backup for life supporting systems in UWMC and for billion dollar research projects.
• Oversee Transportation Services that provides parking and commuter options for over 100,000 faculty, staff, students and visitors arriving to campus each day.
• Other duties as required.
Core Competencies
• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness.
• Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively.
• Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems.
• Be responsible and accountable.
• Use organizational skills and provide attention to details.
• Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
• Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous.
• Exhibit a professional work ethic.
• Continuously promote a safe work environment.
• Ability to function in an ambiguous work environment.
Requirements include:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or other related field.
• Ten or more years’ experience in managing operations and capital improvements of complex institutional facilities and infrastructure, with increasingly responsible leadership duties.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Desired:
• Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, or related advanced degree.
• Five or more years’ experience in management within a large public higher education and research institution.
• Experience with managing a unionized workforce.
• Experience with financial planning, construction management, and sustainability.
• Familiar with principles of strategic management.
Conditions of Employment:
• Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.