Position Title:

Assistant Director of the Physical Plant – Business Manager

Department/School:

Physical Plant

Salary/Pay Rate:

$90,000 - $100,000

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Physical Plant, the Assistant Director of Physical Plant – Business Manager, will oversee the purchasing and accounting functions for the Physical Plant Department with a focus on financial reporting, budgeting, and vendor relations. The Physical Plant Department at Marist University oversees campus construction and renovation projects, and includes the operational departments of Mechanical Services, Grounds, and Housekeeping.

The Assistant Director will work directly with construction contractors, architects, engineers, and other related design disciplines, and therefore must have a strong background in facilities management, construction, construction project scheduling, building renovations, and the development of new facilities. Candidate must have strong skills in internal controls, budgeting, and vendor relations. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are necessary for successful collaboration across the University.

This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of budgets and financial records in the Physical Plant Department, while managing daily vendor relations. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with a team of seven professionals, including project managers, operational supervisors, and assistant directors. The Assistant Director will work closely with the University’s Business Office to streamline processes and deliver precise financial data to support University’s strategic objectives.

The Assistant Director will manage financial reporting related to Physical Plant operations and Capital projects in collaboration with the University’s Business Office, overseeing the quarter-end, and year-end close activities, as well as monitoring financial performance against the budget for both capital and operational budgets.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8-10 years of related experience

Essential Functions:

• Manage Financial Reporting and Budgeting
  Prepares, reviews, and reconciles financial reports for both operational and capital budgets within the Physical Plant. This includes monitoring expenditures, analyzing variances, and assisting with annual budget development and long-term financial planning. The role ensures all financial records and reports comply with University policies, internal controls, and external audit requirements.
• Oversee Procurement and Vendor Relations
  Manages the procurement process for goods, services, and contracted work to support Physical Plant operations and capital projects. The Assistant Director establishes and maintains strong vendor relationships, negotiates contracts, and ensures compliance with purchasing guidelines and contractual obligations. They also oversee vendor invoicing, payment approvals, and the resolution of billing issues.
• Support Capital Projects and Departmental Collaboration
  Working closely with project managers, operational supervisors, and other University stakeholders, the Assistant Director provides financial oversight for construction, renovation, and maintenance projects. They are responsible for tracking project budgets and schedules, ensuring alignment with University priorities, and serving as a financial liaison between the Physical Plant and the Business Office.
• Administer Departmental Business Operations
  Manages daily administrative processes, including financial data entry, purchasing documentation, and the maintenance of accurate records to support departmental decision-making. They identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency in business operations, while ensuring accuracy and compliance across all reporting systems.
• Supervise and Develop Staff
  Supervises temporary staff and student workers to support departmental needs. The Assistant Director provides guidance, feedback, and oversight to ensure the quality and timeliness of work, while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References 

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating an inclusive workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.