Associate Vice President for Campus Planning and Facilities

Overview

Kansas City University (KCU) is a renowned institution committed to excellence in education, research, and community engagement. As we continue to advance our mission of fostering knowledge and shaping future leaders, we are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Associate Vice President (AVP) for Campus Planning & Facilities. This role will provide vision and direction for all aspects of KCU’s campus planning, design, construction, facilities management, and real estate operations across multiple campuses.

Founded in 1916, Kansas City University is a fully accredited, private not-for-profit health sciences university with Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Biosciences, Dental Medicine and Health Professions. With campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, KCU offers multiple graduate degrees: a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; a Doctor of Psychology in clinical psychology; a Master of Arts in bioethics; a Master of Science in biomedical sciences; a Master of Business Administration in partnership with Rockhurst University; a Master of Public Health in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center; and a Doctor of Dental Medicine in Joplin, MO.

Reporting to the CFO/COO, the AVP for Campus Planning & Facilities will play a key role in shaping KCU’s physical environment in alignment with the University’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. This position oversees campus facilities maintenance, utilities, capital and space planning–ensuring that KCU remains a safe, well-maintained, and sustainable institution. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, collaborative partner, and effective leader committed to supporting KCU’s mission through innovative, sustainable, and high-performing campus environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical support for campus growth and expansion planning.
• Advise key stakeholders on facility design, long-term functionality, open space preservation, sustainability, historic preservation, accessibility, budgeting, development proposal feasibility, and policies.
• Oversee physical planning and campus development; maintain the campus plan and ensure compliance with land use, ADA, historic preservation, and sustainability policies.
• Manage space inventory and advise administration on physical development, space assignment, and utilization; analyze space use, cost recovery, and institutional benchmarking.
• Develop and manage the University’s long-term capital projects plan.
• Advise administrators on off-campus real estate; evaluate and recommend potential property acquisitions.
• Oversee planning and execution of major construction, renovations, and landscape projects; maintain standards and review post-occupancy performance.
• Lead and direct Facilities and Grounds teams, including utilities operations and capital improvement programs.
• Oversee facility condition reports and plans; coordinate deferred maintenance and construction-related priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Deep knowledge of facilities planning, design, construction, and maintenance within a complex organization of similar size and scope; higher education experience preferred.
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and large-scale capital projects.
• Strong understanding of sustainability principles, ADA compliance, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build trust and consensus with constituents, including faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets, contracts, and operational performance, with proven ability to execute and maintain contracts with service providers.

OMNI is honored to be retained in this search. We appreciate your referrals to professionals who may have an interest in this outstanding opportunity. Formal interest accepted through the OMNI Executive Career Portal. Please direct all inquiries to:

OMNI Human Resource Solutions

Michelle Anderson, Vice President of Executive Search – manderson@omnihrm.com

OMNI and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers.