Associate Vice President for Facilities and Campus Planning

Position Summary

Lehigh University is seeking its next Associate Vice President for Facilities and Campus Planning (AVP). Reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the AVP and chief facilities officer manages a $53M operating budget and a portfolio of capital projects valuing $50 million annually. This position leads a diverse team of 70 plus professionals in delivering a high-quality, sustainable, and safe environment and is responsible for the implementation of Lehigh's bold new campus plan, Making The Future. This executive leadership role offers the opportunity to oversee the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of 165 buildings spanning over 5 million GSF of academic, research, and residential facilities. Click here to review the full position profile including a downloadable pdf.

About the Opportunity

Position Number: S89460

This position is a Grade: 15 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $250,000 - $300,000 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

To ensure a timely review, please submit your application by April 24, 2026, when the formal review process begins.

As the leader of Facilities and Campus Planning, the AVP will:

• Lead, develop, and execute multi-year capital plans that aligns the physical campus with the University's long-term strategic goals.
  Partner with academic and administrative leadership to optimize the use of the university's physical plant and solve complex challenges.
• Act as a key contributor to the Campus Planning and Operations committee of the Board of Trustees, providing critical data and strategic updates.
• Direct the design, engineering, and construction of all new facilities and large-scale renovations.
  Ensure every project meets rigorous quality standards while remaining strictly on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee the maintenance and reliability of 5 million square feet of building space and 1,600 acres of land, including complex HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Manage and evaluate outsourced services for groundskeeping and custodial operations to ensure a pristine campus environment.
  Champion the University's environmental stewardship initiatives and carbon footprint reduction goals.
  Manage complex energy procurement strategies to ensure efficiency and alignment with the University's Sustainability Strategy.
• Direct an annual operating budget exceeding $53M and oversee multi-million dollar capital project funds.
  Proactively identify opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization without compromising service quality.
• Serve as the University's primary representative to local government and the Bethlehem community regarding zoning, land use, and infrastructure development.
• Ensure all campus projects and operations adhere to local, state, and federal regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Architecture or the equivalent combination of education and experience; Master's Degree preferred
• Ten or more years of progressive leadership in facilities management, preferably within a complex higher education or institutional setting
• Deep knowledge of architectural design, MEP systems, structural design, LEED certification, and campus utility infrastructure
  Proven track record of managing a large organization
• Exceptional ability to present complex technical data to non-technical stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees
  Ability to anticipate future campus needs and technological shifts in facility management.
• Sophisticated understanding of capital financing and lifecycle cost analysis
• Experience managing emergency responses and navigating the complexities of a historic campus

Special Considerations

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

• This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University
• This position is considered Essential Services Staff; Essential Services Staff are required to report to campus and remain during inclement weather and other emergency situations; they are defined as those needed to deliver student services and maintain campus facilities, campus safety and security
• The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community
• Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.