Assistant Vice President, Capital Finance & Administration

Position Summary

Columbia University Facilities and Operations(CUFO) is responsible for the design and construction of new and existing spaces, campus public safety, campus services for students, building and grounds maintenance for academic and administrative departments, oversight of the Manhattanville campus construction, and the University's residential portfolio.

With over 2,000 employees, Facilities and Operations manages approximately 340 buildings and 17 million gross square feet and has an operating and capital budget in excess of $850 million per year.

The Assistant Vice President for Capital Finance and Administration is a key role within the Finance and Administration Group under CUFO.

Finance and Administration (F&A) is responsible for the planning and administration of an annual operating budget of around $650 million and a five-year capital budget of $1.

8 billion in approximately 340 buildings. Additionally F&A is responsible for the administrative support provided to CUFO, including capital project administration, procurement, human resources, labor relations, management information systems, accounts payable, business process analysis, data analytics, reporting, internal controls and parking administration.

Responsibilities

The Assistant VP, Capital Finance and Administrative Services(AVP, CFAS) reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPF&A) works closely with the VPF&A in leading the development , implementation and assessments of the Campus's short and long term capital planning.

The AVP, CFAS will implement recommendations concerning the strategic allocation of resources, business processes and policies;

develop strategies to improve financial performance and efficiency; identify trends and changes in resources and expenditures that may require action.

As a senior member of CU Facilities and Operations organization whose work and leadership will have an impact across the University the AVP, CFAS provides oversight and guidance to approximately 40 employees, will direct services that support CUFO’s work at both Morningside and Manhattanville campuses in the following areas :

Procurement setting a strategy for the procurement process including bidding and awarding of contracts, contract negotiation and monitoring, change order management, risk management, project initiation, construction projects auditing, reconciliation and processing of transactions, and monitoring and managing code compliance and violations;

Capital Finance overseeing the preparing, maintaining, and reporting on CUFO's State of Good Repair (SOGR) capital plan, and project capital funding and expenditures.

Prepare and report on project benchmarking.

Accounts Payable overseeing the management of over 50,000 invoices from 900 vendors totaling over $400 million on an annual basis.

Construction & Engineering Audit developing a process to assure onsite project execution per design, contact, and code standards.

Code Compliance - oversees and monitors all of the jurisdictional agencies (federal and local) and their interaction with the properties being managed by CUFO.

Serves as a representative of the University with these agencies.

In managing these responsibilities within CUFO, the AVP, CFAS will interact regularly with senior University staff in the Executive Vice President for the University Finance’s organization, including the Office of Management and Budget, Finance, Treasury, Risk Management, University Audit, the Controller’s Office, the Office of the General Counsel and Procurement Services.

As assigned will serve on special committees and task forces representing the Vice President of Finance and Administration on special committees and / or as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include Bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of experience in a management position. Extensive experience in higher education, research, construction, real estate, or a similarly complex, decentralized environment is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will have an established record of progressively responsible positions in relevant finance and administrative roles.

Well as demonstrated leadership in establishing and implementing business-process changes and financial controls leveraging data analytics, benchmarking and key performance indicators to improve the operational performance of a relevant organization.

A strong background in finance, budgeting, accounting, construction administration, procurement, business operations, organizational design and strategic planning, is a central qualification for success in this role.

Candidates must show prior experience in computer-based project management and financial systems.

The Assistant VP will interact regularly with senior-level faculty and administrators : excellent oral and written communication and negotiating skills are required.

A clear customer-service commitment and successful experience in managing change are absolute requirements, as is demonstrated performance establishing and maintaining productive, collaborative relationships with a full range of internal and external constituencies.

Columbia is one of the great urban universities in the country. Experience, therefore, managing a technical service organization in a dense urban setting will be an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline is preferred.
• A background in the financial administration of capital projects and / or the administration / negotiation of construction contracts is highly preferred.
3 days ago