Senior Director - Facilities Management (Temporary/...

Overview The Senior Director - Facilities Management is a senior executive position appointed for a defined one-year period to stabilize, assess, and transform the Facilities Management department of a public university located in Maryland. The position is designed to restore operational discipline, strengthen leadership accountability, and design and implement a Facilities organizational model that is aligned with institutional needs, industry standards, and long-term sustainability. This position combines operational leadership expertise with strategic organizational redesign, ensuring that day-to-day facility services remain reliable while foundational changes to governance, staffing, systems, and culture are executed. This position serves as the central authority for Facilities performance, decision-making, and organizational capacity. The Senior Director is authorized to implement interim organizational and supervisory changes, establish operational controls and decision-making protocols, recommend reclassification, repurposing, or creation of positions and make executive recommendations regarding permanent organizational structure. Over the course of the one-year appointment, the Senior Director will: * Stabilize daily Facilities operations and reestablish leadership credibility and accountability * Conduct a comprehensive talent and organizational assessment across all Facilities functions * Redesign and implement a streamlined organizational structure with clear articulation of responsibilities, supervision frameworks, and decision rights * Manage internal and external communication efforts as organizational changes are implemented, including coordination and messaging to non-Facilities stakeholders * Strengthen financial stewardship, workload management, and performance oversight * Prepare the organization for transition to permanent leadership with documented structures, processes, and expectations Responsibilities ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Operational Leadership & Stabilization * Assume full executive responsibility for all Facilities operations, including: * General Maintenance * MEP systems and utilities * Grounds and fleet functions * Custodial oversight and vendor management * Work control and service request management * Establish immediate clarity around operational priorities, service expectations, and leadership accountability. * Implement short-term controls related to: * Overtime authorization and usage * Contractor engagement and oversight * After-hours response and on-call coverage * Emergency response coordination * Workplace safety and risk management * Serve as the primary escalation authority for operational, staffing, and performance issues. * Develop structured communication pathways to articulate impact of operational stabilization efforts to all campus stakeholder groups. Talent & Organizational Assessment * Lead a structured assessment of Facilities leadership, supervision, and workforce capacity, including: * Role clarity and functional alignment * Supervisory effectiveness and spans of control * Workload distribution and productivity * Skill sets, certifications, and training gaps * Leadership readiness and coaching needs * Evaluate how work is planned, assigned, executed, and verified across all units. * Identify: * Single points of failure * Gaps in oversight or supervision * Misalignment between roles and operational demands * Document findings in a clear, defensible format that supports organizational decision-making. Organizational Design & Restructuring * Translate assessment findings directly into organizational design actions, including: * Redefining leadership and supervisory layers * Clarifying reporting relationships and escalation paths * Establishing clear ownership for preventive vs. reactive work * Aligning Work Control, front-line staff, and supervisors under consistent operating models * Design and implement an interim organizational structure that improves accountability and operational control. * Develop a recommended permanent organizational structure, including: * Updated organizational charts * Revised position descriptions and position titles * Clear expectations for leadership performance * Partner with Human Resources to ensure changes are compliant, equitable, and well-communicated. Governance, Decision Rights & Performance Oversight * Establish a formal decision-rights framework covering: * Overtime approval * Procurement thresholds * Vendor engagement * Emergency response * Capital project initiation protocols * Reinforce the use of critical systems (MicroMain, Workday) as tools for accountability and performance management. * Implement clear expectations for: * Work order documentation and verification * Supervisor review of workload and productivity * Data-informed decision-making * Introduce service level expectations and performance indicators aligned with industry standards. Financial Stewardship & Resource Management * Assess Facilities financial practices related to: * Overtime spending * Contractor usage * Inventory and materials management * Preventive vs. reactive maintenance investment * Implement controls and monitoring processes to improve cost visibility and resource utilization. * Support the development of data-driven budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning practices. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication * Serve as the primary Facilities representative to senior leadership and Cabinet-level stakeholders. * Communicate progress, findings, and recommendations clearly and regularly. * Rebuild trust with campus partners by improving transparency, responsiveness, and follow-through. * Ensure Facilities leadership communicates the "why" behind changes to staff and campus stakeholders. Transition to Permanent Leadership * Prepare the organization for transition from interim to permanent leadership by: * Finalizing organizational structures and position expectations * Documenting governance frameworks and operating standards * Identifying which interim positions should convert to permanent appointments * Support on-boarding and knowledge transfer for permanent Facilities leadership. Qualifications Education and Experience * Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management or closely related field required. Master's degree preferred. * Minimum 8 years of facility management, capital projects, and operations experience. At least 4 years in leadership role overseeing diverse teams. * Broad operations knowledge across facilities, utilities, custodial, and infrastructure. * Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations. * Previous higher education experience preferred. * Preferred licenses or certifications include one or more of the following: General Building (GB98) contractor license; certified professional engineering (PE); Sustainability Facility Professional; Facility Management Professional (FMP); Certified Energy Manager (CEM); Project Management Professional (PMP). Skills and Abilities * Demonstrated ability to lead effectively within collective bargaining frameworks preferred. * Ability to supervise skilled trades and administrative staff. * Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with relevant stakeholders. * Proven ability to develop and achieve financial plans. * Ability to motivate and lead employees and hold them accountable. Work Environment and Physical Demands Work Environment * Office based with exposure to elements and work sites * Non-smoking environment * Moderate to loud noise * Maintain flexible hours for events that may occur on weekends and evenings Physical Demands * Must be able to traverse throughout the arena and campus. Regularly ascending/descending building levels and occasionally ladders or stools. * Must be able to discuss, converse with, and exchange accurate information with event patrons, staff, stakeholders, etc. Success Indicators by End of Term * Stable, predictable Facilities operations with clear leadership accountability * Documented talent and organizational assessment with actionable outcomes * Implemented interim organizational structure aligned with operational needs * Defined permanent Facilities organizational model ready for approval * Improved financial oversight, workload visibility, and service performance * Adoption of organizational changes by key stakeholders * Organization prepared for long-term leadership and sustained improvement Travel * Local, regional, national travel as required Other DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Created: 2026-04-02