Assoc VP-Aux and Business Svcs

Michigan Technological University•Houghton, MI

1d•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Auxiliary and Business Services division of Michigan Tech is a broad-based portfolio of revenue-generating and service-oriented units that contribute to the campus experience and support Michigan Tech's mission. Areas of oversight include Residential Living, Dining, the Memorial Union, Transportation Services, Mont Ripley Ski Area, Portage Lake Golf Course, Merchandising Operations, and the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. The division generates approximately $47 million in annual revenue and is supported by approximately 135 regular staff and more than 500 student employees. The Associate Vice President for Auxiliary and Business Services (AVPABS) provides strategic and operational leadership for this complex portfolio and is accountable for service quality, financial performance, and advancing the student experience. The AVPABS reports to the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration and serves as a senior collaborative partner across the University.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, hospitality management, higher education administration, or a related field.
Significant and progressively responsible senior leadership experience in auxiliary services, higher education administration, finance, operations, or a comparably complex multi-unit operation, with demonstrated success managing complex, multi-million-dollar operating budgets, multiple enterprise functions, and direct supervision of professional staff.
Experience must include decision-making authority for financial performance; development of housing, dining, or other auxiliary or retail pricing strategy and fee schedules; contract governance and vendor oversight; and demonstrated accountability for service quality and customer experience outcomes.
Proven business, strategic, and financial acumen; ability to plan and manage operating and capital budgets for a complex multi-unit enterprise.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels, including governing boards, senior leadership, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, contract negotiation, and operational oversight of outsourced service providers.
Demonstrated expertise in leading, managing, and developing high-performing senior administrative and operational teams across diverse disciplines.
Analytical aptitude with proven problem-solving skills and ability to develop solutions in complex, resource-constrained environments.
Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a rapidly changing environment with a high tolerance for ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in business administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
History of positions with increasing scope and executive-level decision-making responsibility in higher education auxiliary services.
Experience across multiple auxiliary functions such as housing, dining, retail, recreation, transportation, or museum operations.
Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP) designation or comparable certification.
Demonstrated record of improving service quality, financial performance, and customer satisfaction through data-informed decision-making.
Experience with capital planning, construction oversight, or major facility renovation projects.
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
Demonstrated success in aligning resources across divisions and reducing organizational silos
Proven ability to lead large-scale transformation initiatives
Demonstrated success in improving efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing service delivery
Experience evaluating and optimizing administrative structures and shared services
Experience supporting or leading revenue growth initiatives
Familiarity with pricing strategy, market analysis and program development
Exceptional ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively
Experience working with governing boards, executive teams and external partners
Familiarity with national auxiliary services, retail, housing, and business trends, benchmarks, and best practices, with the ability to translate industry intelligence into operational and strategic action.
Experience developing and utilizing key performance indicators and dashboards to drive continuous improvement.
Strategic and forward-looking, with the ability to connect financial decisions to mission and impact
Action-oriented and results-driven, with a strong capacity for execution
Collaborative, with an enterprise mindset and a commitment to shared success
Analytical and data-informed, with a focus on measurable outcomes
Skilled at leading through complexity and change in a shared governance environment
Courageous and decisive, particularly in addressing inefficiencies and advancing institutional priorities
A trusted and credible leader with high integrity and sound judgment
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic oversight and executive leadership for a portfolio of self-operated and contracted auxiliary and business service units, ensuring financial sustainability, operational excellence, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Drives financial performance across the division, including budget development, long-range forecasting, pricing strategy, and executive reporting of operating results to senior leadership.
Leads contract strategy and vendor governance for all major auxiliary agreements, including dining services, vending, shuttle service, and pouring rights; ensures contractual, financial, and service expectations are met.
Directs the division's capital planning and deferred maintenance priorities, including coordination with Facilities Management on construction, renovation, and equipment lifecycle projects.
Cultivates a culture of leadership excellence by providing coaching and mentoring, supporting professional development, and building a high-performing senior leadership team of 5 direct reports who are accountable for outcomes.
Evaluates business models and service delivery approaches across the portfolio, informed by peer benchmarking, financial analysis, and curated evaluative criteria.
Establishes and enforces performance standards, key performance indicators, and operational monitoring systems to drive results and continuous improvement across all business units.
Builds and maintains strong partnerships with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, alumni, and the broader campus community.
Leads and supports divisional compliance with university policies, health and safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
Represents the division to the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and external stakeholders; prepares and presents financial, operational, and strategic reports and exhibits.
Commits to learning about and applying continuous improvement strategies, including Lean methodologies, in everyday work; actively engages in university-wide continuous improvement initiatives.
Applies safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.