The university launched a national search for its third-highest administrative post yesterday, and officials said they’ll be eyeing well-rounded candidates with extensive experience to take over as vice president for administrative affairs.
In an email to the university community yesterday, university President Wallace Loh wrote that the search committee will accept applications for the position — which is charged with the development of East Campus, the $1.7 billion university budget and Facilities Management, among other university departments — until May 12 and will review candidates on a rolling basis.
Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Clement is serving as the 17-member committee’s chairwoman and is joined by a wide array of university and city representatives — including Department of Transportation Services Director David Allen, City Manager Joe Nagro, University Police Maj. Carolyn Consoli, several college deans and Student Government Association President-elect Kaiyi Xie.
After serving as vice president for administrative affairs for more than two years, Ann Wylie left the post in February to serve as provost. Frank Brewer, Facilities Management director, is holding the position until a candidate is appointed.
Clement, who was out of town and could not be reached for comment last night, said in an interview last month that the committee will aim to have the position filled by July 1 — in time for the fall semester.
However, she added the committee will value quality over speed in searching to fill one of the university’s prominent leadership roles.
“We need someone who understands the functions of this portfolio,” Clement said. “We’re trying to find the best person, and we’re going to be patient.”
And the job description in “this portfolio” extends both on and off the campus.
According to Brewer, one of the most important initiatives the new administrator will undertake is to transform the 38-acre space at the corner of Route 1 and Paint Branch Parkway — known as East Campus — into a bustling town center. The project has been in the works for about five years.
Additionally, the vice president will be tasked with the revitalization of the university’s M-Square Research Park, advancing the university’s sustainability goals and serving as a representative of the university to many local and state officials. Because of this, Clement said although it is not a requirement, she would to like to recruit someone who has worked in the state before.
The job description outlined in the email calls for “at least 10 years of senior management responsibility in a complex organization” as well as a slew of other requirements — including business, finance and human relations experience.
“This is not a job where one should be learning on the job,” Brewer said.
Although Wylie said when she vacated the position in February she knew it would be left in good hands, officials said the former vice president had left very big shoes to fill.
“It will be difficult to find someone with her talents,” Allen said. “But we will do it.”
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