Vice President of Operations
2 days ago
Saint Louis
Job Description Job Summary The Vice President of Operations (VPO) provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of revenue-generating auxiliary units and critical operational functions that support student life, academic activities, and campus growth at Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU). Emphasizing excellent customer service and operational efficiency, the VPO ensures that all auxiliary and operational units optimize revenue contributions, enhance the campus experience, and support the University’s mission and strategic priorities. The VPO delivers both high-level policy vision and hands-on operational guidance across an expansive portfolio, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, audit standards, and University policies. The Vice President serves as Project Lead for all campus construction projects, overseeing planning, execution, risk management, and successful on-time, on-budget delivery of capital developments. As a senior executive and member of the Executive Cabinet, the VPO reports directly to the President and represents the University in regular interactions with students, parents, advisory boards, vendors, faculty, staff, and external partners. The VPO actively seeks to improve student retention, graduation rates, and overall student satisfaction by ensuring convenient, high-quality services and the maintenance of dynamic campus environments that foster community. Areas of Oversight • Auxiliary Services, • Campus Planning and Expansion, • University Events, • Facilities Management & Director of Facilities, • Mailroom Services, • Project Management, • Procurement Services, • Welcome Services, • Parking & Transportation, • Campus Construction & Capital Project Oversight Essential Functions • Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of Auxiliary Services, including campus dining, parking and transportation, bookstore operations, student center management, retail services, events, facilities operations, procurement, and additional areas as identified by the President., • Serve as Chair of the University Construction Committee and primary administrative leader for all STEM facility development initiatives., • Act as Project Lead for all campus construction and capital projects, overseeing planning, design, budgeting, bidding, procurement, construction management, and stakeholder coordination., • Lead long-term campus planning, infrastructure planning, capital project development, and sustainability initiatives., • Develop and implement policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all assigned operational and auxiliary units., • Promote Auxiliary Services and operational initiatives to the campus community to enhance visibility, engagement, and service adoption., • Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to evaluate, implement, and oversee strategic investments in auxiliary-related initiatives and enterprises., • Coordinate budget development and monitor revenue, expense activity, forecasting, dashboard reporting, business planning, capital investment planning, and process improvements., • Identify, evaluate, and recommend sustainable revenue-generating opportunities that strengthen University services and financial performance., • Provide comprehensive financial analysis and data-driven recommendations to improve revenue, operating margin, and service quality., • Direct procurement strategies, sourcing projects, contract negotiations, and cost-containment initiatives while maintaining high standards of efficiency and compliance., • Maintain accurate financial and operational records consistent with GAAP and applicable state and federal regulations., • Provide clear communication of financial and administrative information to diverse stakeholders, including non-technical audiences., • Work collaboratively with the President, Executive Cabinet, and management teams to provide strategic counsel, mentorship, and advocacy for operational excellence., • Engage in continuous evaluation of trends, innovations, and evolving needs within auxiliary operations and higher education operations., • Perform other duties as assigned by the President. Minimum Education and Experience • Doctorate degree with experience and/or coursework in Business or a related field preferred., • Seven to ten years of experience directly managing complex, high-volume enterprises with demonstrated successful outcomes is required., • Experience with higher education environments is preferred., • Experience consulting and advising senior-level executives. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational ability and the ability to meet deadlines;, • Must be proficient with computer skills with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite and have the ability to communicate effectively; both orally and in writing, with varied constituencies including students, alumni, faculty and staff., • Must be a self-starter who works well in fast-paced, dynamic, term-oriented and culturally diverse environment., • Possess strong ability to learn and assume additional responsibilities., • Possess a strong orientation for getting results and be a team player., • Ability to self-initiate follow up, work independently, and adhere to deadlines., • Demonstrated commitment to impacting and leading diversity and organizational change initiatives., • Consistently comply with all agency policies and procedures., • Possess and ability to build social capital and develop critical relationships throughout the University., • Maintain a competitive outlook, constantly scanning for trends and evolving preferences that impact auxiliary operations on campus., • Possess knowledge of organizational dynamics to work through the complex and sometimes political landscape of a major research institution., • Demonstrate knowledge of facilities management, including maintenance/custodial services, capital planning, and renovations., • Ability to empower staff to reach personal and professional goals through a supportive work environment, positive staff development, and calculated risk-taking., • Strong negotiation, facilitation, and organizational skills., • Demonstrated understanding of governance and administrative processes used in publicly-supported higher education institutions., • Ability to make good, consistent and fair decisions (based on fact and data)., • Ability to work with cross-functional terms and to foster teamwork., • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procures, or governmental regulations., • Ability to write reports business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, clients and customers., • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals., • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs., • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages., • Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry., • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and recommend effective solutions., • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram from the deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Supervisory Responsibility • Yes Physical Requirements • Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle., • Must have a valid driver license., • Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body., • Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a signification degree. Working Conditions and Environment • Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment., • Very limited or no exposure to physical risk. EOE Statement Harris-Stowe State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.