Description
Director of Auxiliary Services
About Northern Michigan University – www.nmu.edu
Founded in 1899, NMU is a dynamic public university offering 170+ undergraduate and graduate programs to over 7,000 students from all 50 states and 40 countries. Signature strengths include awardwinning leadership programs, cuttingedge technology initiatives, DivisionII athletics (including Division I Hockey), and a nationally recognized commitment to affordability and safety. Facultytaught classes at every level, a 16:1 studenttofaculty ratio, and a deep culture of personal support define the NMU experience. Northern Michigan University equips students with distinctive, hands-on learning experiences that unlock extraordinary opportunities. By forging strong ties among learners, leaders, local communities, and the Upper Peninsula’s natural environment, NMU develops creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens dedicated to advancing the well-being of the region, Michigan, and the wider world.
About Marquette & Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Home to roughly 20,000 residents on Lake Superior’s southern shore, Marquette delivers a rare blend of breathtaking wilderness and inviting small-city charm. World-class mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and shoreline adventures are minutes from campus, while a revitalized downtown buzzes with local eateries, arts venues, and entrepreneurial energy. The Upper Peninsula’s reputation for safety, friendliness, and pristine natural surroundings shines through four distinct seasons—each celebrated with community festivals, craft fairs, and outdoor events that keep the calendar lively year-round. Because Northern Michigan University and the city are deeply intertwined, students gain unrivaled access to internships, service-learning projects, and cultural experiences that enrich their education and strengthen the region’s vitality—all at a cost of living well below many Midwest metros.
The Opportunity
Northern Michigan University (NMU) seeks an experienced and innovative Director of Auxiliary Services to lead a broad portfolio of mission-critical operations that directly impact the student experience and the university’s financial health. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance & Administration, the Director oversees dining services, the Northern Center & Event Services, the ID card office, the NMU Golf Course, auxiliary IT, vending, property rentals, and contractual partnerships with Barnes & Noble College Bookstore and a campus banking partner. The role oversees ten direct reports and a team of nearly 75.
This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for a collaborative, student-centered executive to ensure these services operate with excellence, financial sustainability, and a commitment to customer satisfaction while advancing NMU’s strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Auxiliary Services units, ensuring alignment with university goals.
Administer and supervise diverse self-supporting operations including dining, events, ID card services, golf course, vending, and external property rentals.
Lead a workforce of up to 75 professional staff and 350 student employees, cultivating a culture of teamwork, entrepreneurship, and outstanding customer service.
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; approve expenditures, review financial results, and ensure financial sustainability.
Oversee vendor and partner contracts, ensuring service excellence, compliance, and innovation.
Partner with campus leaders to integrate auxiliary services into broader student-success, enrollment, and community-engagement strategies.
Identify and implement revenue-generating opportunities, cost-savings, and long-term strategic initiatives.
Ensure compliance with university policies, contracts, and local, state, and federal regulations.
Position Challenges & Opportunities
Complex, Multi-Unit Oversight
The Director must balance multiple service lines—dining, events, [MF1] golf course, [MF2] vending, and more—each with unique financial models, customer needs, and operational complexities.
Financial Stewardship & Sustainability
As a self-supporting enterprise, Auxiliary Services requires innovative approaches to revenue growth, cost containment, and data-driven forecasting to remain both financially viable and mission-aligned.
Strategic Partnerships & Contract Management
Key partnerships (e.g., Barnes & Noble, banking services) require active oversight, creative renegotiation, and strong vendor relations to maximize value for NMU.
Student Experience & Customer Service
Auxiliary Services directly impacts student life. The Director must foster a service-driven culture that delivers high satisfaction to students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Facilities & Capital Projects
The Northern Center, dining facilities, and other auxiliary spaces require ongoing modernization, renovation, and strategic planning to meet changing campus and market needs.
Community Engagement
With conference & catering services, external partnerships, and property rentals (3) the Director has a unique opportunity to strengthen NMU’s ties with the local economy and competitively showcase the university as a hub for the Upper Peninsula.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Management, or related field.
Seven (7)+ years of progressively responsible experience in auxiliary/business services or related operations.
Five (5)+ years of supervisory/managerial experience.
Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate and manage multidisciplinary teams.
Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
Commitment to service excellence, teamwork, and the mission of higher education.
Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree in business or related field.
Experience in higher education or nonprofit settings.
Involvement in the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS).
NACAS Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP) designation.
Experience with outsourced service models.
Proven customerservice orientation and experience counseling students, parents, and community members with empathy—especially in difficult or highstress situations.
Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy, accuracy, and grace under pressure.
Deep understanding of auxiliary service areas such as dining, bookstore, vending, ID card production, golf course operations, and conference/events management.
Knowledge of budgeting principles, revenue forecasting, cost analysis, and financial reporting, particularly in self-supporting or auxiliary enterprises.
Familiarity with procurement processes, vendor negotiation, and contract management, especially in a higher education or public sector setting.
Ability to develop long-term plans, align services with institutional goals, and drive continuous improvement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to various audiences (e.g., students, staff, senior leadership, external vendors).
Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee large-scale projects, including renovations, service rollouts, and new program implementations.
Comfortable with enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, CBORD), facility management software, point-of-sale systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to manage multiple, complex operations and meet deadlines.
Capacity to assess situations quickly, identify problems, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to promote a service mindset among staff and ensure a high-quality experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing institutional needs, industry trends, and emergencies (e.g., COVID-related operational changes).
