NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

Vice President for Capital Planning and Campus Operations

Northern Arizona University (NAU) seeks an innovative, proven, and transformative leader to serve as the Vice President for Capital Planning and Campus Operations (VP CAPCO), overseeing NAU’s many operational units and staff and the university physical infrastructure at its campus in Flagstaff, Arizona, as well as at more than 20 sites throughout the state. The VP CAPCO will be a key member of the President’s Cabinet, working closely with university leadership, as well as various internal stakeholders and external community partners, to advance the institution’s strategic vision of serving as the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

About the University

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University is a higher-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities and outcomes in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-c

Location

This position is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, with expected travel throughout the state to manage NAU’s statewide footprint, including a branch campus in Yuma, NAU North Valley and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus in Phoenix, and other co-located and leased partner sites throughout the state.

Diversity and Inclusion

NAU is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). From equitable access for students, to the policies and practices in recruitment, retention, and development of its staff and faculty, to its service and partnership with local communities, NAU’s commitment to DEIJ infuses all of its work, as the university strives to leverage the power of diversity for a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

For information about diversity, access, and equity at NAU, visit the C

The VP CAPCO reports directly to the Senior Vice President for University Operations and Chief Financial Officer, serves as a key member of the President’s Cabinet and the University Advisory Board, and is an integral partner to the success of leaders and divisions throughout the university. In addition, the VP CAPCO will be an important partner for the university with external stakeholders, particularly in Flagstaff—home of NAU’s flagship campus—and elsewhere throughout the state.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, imaginative, and experienced leader with a track record of progressive management success in a university or similarly complex setting. Key competencies and experiences include planning, resource development, and project management skills; experience dealing with governing boards, municipalities, and diverse community stakeholders; and experience managing a variety of campus functions. In addition, the VP CAPCO will have demonstrated leadership experience in managing large teams; supporting employee development, effectiveness, and morale; and leading organizational change efforts with diplomacy and grace. The incumbent will be expected to have a strong understanding of NAU’s distinctive mission of access to excellence, be a champion of university strategic initiatives and priorities, and have a people-first leadership and constituent management approach, with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

The historical heart of NAU is its Flagstaff Mountain Campus, which spans more than 700 acres, with more than 120 buildings and 7 million square feet. In conjunction with a bold strategic vision, outlined in the university’s new strategic plan – NAU 2025 – Elevating Excellence – which articulates a clear mission and vision for the university’s future, NAU has recently launched a Sustainable Smart Campus Master Plan process to identify and refine facility usage and development plans for the future, particularly as they relate to strategic considerations around campus housing, flexible work, research investments and support, community partnership, and sustainability in university operations. In addition, a key priority for the university is pursuit of carbon neutrality by the end of the decade, which will be a top operational priority of the VP CAPCO.

The VP CAPCO will provide leadership to a suite of units that support and serve the university’s mission, allowing for excellence in living, learning, working, research, creative, athletic, and other spaces. As such, skill in managing construction and renovation projects, innovative and creative approaches to space management, and a commitment to sustainability and safety are key to success in this role.

The VP CAPCO is responsible for the management of capital planning and construction, real estate, facility management, and maintenance on all NAU campuses, including ADA requirements; managing space; administration of campus safety and security, as well as emergency management and preparedness efforts; parking and transportation; postal services; environmental health and safety programs; and auxiliary dining and event management. The VP CAPCO will also play a key role in the leasing of facilities throughout the state, leasehold improvements/buildouts, and exploration and assessment of new leased or owned opportunities for strategic growth at statewide sites.

Reporting directly to the VP CAPCO are the following units: facilities services; university police; postal services; parking, transportation, and fleet services; environmental health and safety; campus services and activities; space management; and the CAPCO core business intelligence, analytics, and communication team. The division consists of nearly 400 staff, with an operating budget of approximately $36 million.

• A bachelor’s degree is required, along with 10 years of progressive management experience at a senior leadership level in higher education or a similar public or private sector setting.
• 5 years of facilities management experience at a senior leadership level in higher education or a similar public or private sector setting

• A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred, along with a demonstrated record of excellence in leading capital development projects, physical master planning processes, and other signature projects in a large and complex higher education or similar public/private sector capital planning and campus operations setting.
• Experience working with personnel, students, and colleagues in a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning and working environment

The candidate for VP CAPCO should have the following qualifications and qualities:

• a passion for excellence and a commitment to public higher education;
• extensive experience in leadership of business operations, demonstrating an ability to manage resources and budgets skillfully and proactively while identifying opportunities for growth and efficiency;
• creativity and entrepreneurial approach to generating support, advocating for resources, and delivering the divisional and institutional mission;
• exceptional communication and collaboration skills with diverse internal and external constituencies, including faculty, administration, various university committees and organizations and external stakeholders
• experience working with governing boards and strong skills as a pres
• knowledge of and experience in the strategic leadership of capital planning, facilities management, safety/security, real estate acquisition and development, parking, transportation, and fleet services, and in other areas reporting to this role;
• effective use of data to develop, implement, and assess initiatives, measure results, and manage change;
• strong knowledge of the laws, regulations, trends, and issues in higher education as they relate to the operational effectiveness and span of control for this position, including in capital planning, safety/security, facilities management, ADA and accessibility compliance, principles of universal design, sustainability, and the like;
• results and action-oriented approach with exceptional project management skills;
• a transparent, consultative, and collaborative management style that fosters collegiality;
• demonstrated appreciation for the principles of academic freedom, shared governance, trust and transparency, and consultative leadership;
• experience with long-range master planning for a large campus setting, preferably at an institution of higher education;
• commitment to sustainability and sustainable development and operations in a capital development and management role; and
• ability to delegate effectively and understand how to build capacity and effectiveness through strong team leadership.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Commensurate with experience.

This is an Administrator (ADM) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP); 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Administrators are hired on a contract basis renewable each year according to terms of the Conditions of Administrative Service. These terms can be found on the Arizona Board of Regents website.
Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). Employees will have 31 days from date of hire to enroll in benefits, and their benefits will then be effective the first day of the pay period following their completed enrollment. If a new employee chooses the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retirement option, participation in the ASRS Plan (and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it) will begin on the first of the pay period following 183 days of employment. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP; an alternative to the ASRS plan) will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. The long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election. More information about NAU benefits is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

This vacancy will be open until filled or closed.

If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.