Associate Vice President, Operations/Maintenance and Energy at Towson University

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Operations/Maintenance and Energy reports to the Senior Vice President of Campus Operations and Chief Operations Officer (COO) and is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for over 120 staff employees and additional contract staff based on needs. With a budget of almost $51M, the AVP provides key leadership and oversight of a campus spanning almost 330 acres with more than 7M sq ft in 62 buildings including units focusing on Operations and Maintenance, Energy, Utilities, Work Control, Material Management, Transportation & Fleet Management, and Vehicle Maintenance.

LEADERSHIP: Manages and directs the ongoing operations of specific departments in day-to-day operations to ensure the physical assets of the University are safe, properly maintained, preserved, and protected and that all systems and practices meet local, state and federal regulatory requirements. Identifies areas for improvement while developing and implementing systems that streamline operations and facilitate effective management of resources. Ensures schedules and task assignments are developed, communicated, and maintained, with adequate staffing plans and equipment that ensures success and compliance. Establishes and maintains working relationships throughout the campus to understand needs and concerns and to provide guidance and resources to support campus programs and operations to include a close working relationship with the AVP of Planning/Design and Construction Services. Contributes to the development and delivery of TU’s strategic plans, with an emphasis on the campus master plan.

PLANNING, DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION: Works in close partnership with the Planning, Design, and Construction Services unit to ensure the strategic alignment and efficient use of resources, with a particular focus on fostering seamless collaboration between construction services and operations/maintenance teams to support long-term facility performance and sustainability.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE: Facilitates and leads the efficient operation of facilities maintenance and services; to include ensuring the ongoing maintenance and repairs, as well as the preventative maintenance of buildings and spaces is done timely and cost effectively including the approval of preventative maintenance programs and execution of third-party contracts related to building/grounds services. This also includes ensuring all practices and equipment are in compliance with local, state and federal regulatory requirements.

TRANSPORTATION, FLEET and VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT: Ensures the institution’s transportation systems, fleet operations, and vehicle maintenance programs efficiently utilizes resources and delivers reliable, cost-effective services. Emphasizes adherence to regulatory compliance, environmental standards, and safety protocols, while implementing industry best practices in preventive maintenance, asset management, and operational planning to minimize downtime and support institutional mobility and sustainability goals.

ENERGY and ENERGY PLANNING: Provides strategic and operational oversight of TU’s energy-related policies, practices and procedures to foster a culture of conservation and sustainability. Ensures alignment with both short-term initiatives and long-term objectives that support TU’s broader strategic goal of advancing energy efficiencies across all resource domains—environmental, human, and financial. Promotes integrated energy planning that enhances operational efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and strengthens institutional resilience in a cost-effective manner.

ADMINISTRATION: Coordinates, facilitates, and participates in a variety of regularly scheduled meetings to communicate/update information and to gather feedback and input as appropriate. Examples include regular updates on work order administration and energy/utility use trends. Also acts as key liaison for facilities related questions and inquiries.

HUMAN RESOURCES: Develops and monitors staffing needs across the unit to include recommending the appropriate number and “mix” of positions needed, ensuring the hiring of a qualified and diverse workforce, completing performance reviews on a timely basis, and addressing employee issues/concerns on a timely basis.

BUDGET: Uses data and metrics to prepare, implement, and monitor the annual budget as well as plan for future budget needs for Facilities Management.

Performs other duties as assigned.

This position may be considered essential and therefore required to come in when the university is closed due to weather or other emergencies.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of eight years of extensive management of complex facilities operation.
• Change management experience, with the ability to work effectively and generate buy-in through collaboration and influence.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to present and communicate information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple commitments with challenging objectives.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and sound judgment with rapidly changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically in addressing facilities concerns while ensuring confidence and trust from key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising others with a proven record of ensuring advocacy and accountability of team members.
• Comprehensive knowledge of trends related to higher education facilities management.
• Demonstrated commitment to soliciting client feedback, assessing current state and project delivery.
• Working knowledge of facilities management units including but not limited to planning, design, construction; maintenance and operations; utilities operations; high pressure steam plant and distribution; personnel management and training; and financial/budget management.
• Demonstrated effective administrative and supervisory skills and experience.

• Demonstrated effective communication skills (oral and written).

   

   

  Preferred Qualifications:

   

• Master’s degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical) or construction management
• 10+ years of experience in a discipline of facilities management, preferably in a higher education setting with union and non-union staff.
• Experience managing outside vendors for contract services such as housekeeping and basic/fleet maintenance.
• Experience with managing transportation systems.
• Demonstrated successful experience with team building and high functioning teams and working within a state university system.
• Demonstrated experience managing and prioritizing maintenance projects, process improvement, cost control, risk reduction and insurance engineering, energy conservation and planning, sustainable buildings and practices, change management, and cultural transformation.
• Demonstrated successful experience leading the development of people through a supportive and inclusive culture, performance metrics, and professional development programming.
• Demonstrated experience with master planning processes, building design, and renovation projects; and supervising the creation of flexible, multifunctional indoor and outdoor space.
• Demonstrated experience with federal, state, and local codes and ordinances pertinent to building operations and maintenance.

Targeted hiring range is $210,000 - $225,000 annually and full University benefits that include 22 days of annual leave, up to 16 holidays, personal days, and up to 15 sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your online application by October 6, 2025.