Senior Director, Collaborative Business Services

Colleges of the Fenway (COF) is a collaborative effort of five neighboring Boston-based institutions of higher education in the Longwood Medical and Academic area. This collaboration was created to add value to student academic and social life while seeking innovative methods of investing in new services and containing the costs of higher education.

COF is looking for a Senior Director, Collaborative Business Services to work closely with other COF directors as well as with the educational and administrative leadership within each of the member institutions to identify opportunities for enhancing services and reducing costs through shared services and contracts that maximize the resources of the member institutions.

Notable Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities, negotiate, and manage joint contracts (current contract portfolio is $4.3 million) on behalf of the member colleges with the purpose of increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
• Review business opportunities and processes that enable the colleges to consider additional areas for shared systems and services on a continuous basis.
• Oversee the management of three shared positions: The Director of Environmental Health and Safety (shared by three campuses), the Director of Emergency Management (shared by five campuses), and the Information Security Officer (shared by two campuses). Work closely with the individual campus supervisors to ensure the needs are being met and facilitate communication. Supervise the Business Operations Assistant.
• Oversee the third-party management of the COF wide area network (COFAN 2.0), which provides internet service to the member institutions, including the operational plan, budgets, service agreements, data center access and performance metrics.
• Develop proposals for new business opportunities that leverage the resources and strengths of the member colleges providing opportunities to reduce costs, enhance services, and/or generate new revenue.
• Work with CIOs, CFOs, and other college leaders to expand opportunities that leverage collective IT resources while respecting their distinct academic goals and objectives.
• Facilitate key committees including CIOs, Network Managers, Business Services, Facilities Operations and Planning, Public Safety, Academic Technology, COFAN CAB, Risk Management, and task forces to advance annual priorities. Ensure that the groups engage in projects that support the overall COF goals and have mutual value to the participants and the members. Provide project management and work in support of committee goals.
• Manage the external vendor for the shared stored value and ID card, known as The Fenway Card system, by working with the business services committee and identifying off campus retailers to participate.
• Assist the Executive Director as needed in facilitating senior leadership committees, including CFOs. Provide leadership to and manage specific initiatives in related areas.
• Represent the COF at events and meetings.
• Prepare reports, minutes and other written and verbal communications for the Executive Director and for select COF committees, including the Board. Maintain and regularly update data for all committees and projects.
• Assist with budget and audit preparation.
• Manage outside consultants engaged for specific projects, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, business management, planning or a related field.
• Seven to 10 years of experience working with or in college or university business services, information technology, or facilities administration.
• Familiarity with the administration of academic institutions and strong project management, contract negotiations, and supervisory experience.
• Strong business and leadership skills, especially in the areas of strategy, process reengineering and meeting facilitation.
• Ability to build consensus and work with diverse campus constituencies.
• Thorough understanding of the higher education community, its values, priorities, and work culture, including broad knowledge of information technology, emerging academic technologies and information resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and promote a collaborative environment, across multiple organizations.
• Excellent diplomatic, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and with groups, and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to foster trust and build interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to have an energetic entrepreneurial personality and have a high tolerance for ambiguity and nuance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
• Experience in grant writing preferred.

Qualified and Interested?

Submit your resume and cover letter by clicking the link into your browser.

https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=M3300

COF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our staff and member institutions.

A criminal background investigation is required for the hired candidate and results may impact employment. Relocation assistance not available. Principals only please.

Job Type: Full-time