Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer
About the Organization
Vanderbilt University, one of the nation's leading research universities, seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader with a strong track record of building relationships and strengthening communication across complex organizations to serve as its next Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer.
About the Role
Reporting to Carl Rodrigues, Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Facilities and Development, and serving as a key member of the university's leadership team, the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer will oversee three direct reports, an annual operating budget of approximately $100 million, and a typical annual capital budget of approximately $500 million.
A defining aspect of this opportunity is Vanderbilt's expansion beyond Nashville through a network of new campuses in New York City, San Francisco, West Palm Beach, and Chattanooga. The Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer will lead the planning, development, and execution of these high-profile initiatives' design and construction from concept to execution, working with university leadership, external stakeholders, developers, architects, and community leaders to shape a connected, multi-campus enterprise.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Vanderbilt's expanding campus network, overseeing design and construction, facilities management, utilities and energy systems, and environmental health, safety, and sustainability
- Advance the university's physical and operational strategy by applying leading practices, directing major capital investments, modernizing infrastructure, adopting emerging technologies—including AI-enabled solutions—enhancing customer service, and aligning facilities priorities with Vanderbilt's academic, research, and student-centered mission
Team and Scope
- Oversee three direct reports
- Lead a skilled, service-oriented team of more than 530 professionals responsible for the university's physical infrastructure, including two combined heat and power plants, extensive underground utility systems, capital project delivery, and environmental health, safety, and sustainability programs
- Manage an annual operating budget of approximately $100 million and a typical annual capital budget of approximately $500 million
- Oversee Vanderbilt's 340-acre Nashville campus and more than 8 million square feet of building space, as well as commercial and multifamily properties, major capital projects and renovations, and strategic acquisitions
Application Process
Vanderbilt University has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist with this recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/vanderbilt-university/associate-vice-chancellor-and-chief-facilities-officer
Dan Rodas, Partner
Micah Pierce, Partner
Steph Simon, Senior Associate
Marlyn Desire, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller