Assistant Director for Facilities and Operations

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University invites applications for the Assistant Director for Facilities and Operations within the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center. This on-site leadership role oversees daily facility operations, safety, staffing, and budget processes to support campus recreation.

You will supervise 40+ staff and coordinate with vendors and university departments. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, proactive leadership, and a commitment to service and student development in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or additional education substituting for experience.
• 2+ years professional experience in facility operations or campus recreation.
• Supervise diverse staff and manage safety and customer service standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily campus recreation facilities and safety across programs.
• Direct staff recruitment, training, evaluation, and development.
• Manage budgets, resources, and vendor relationships for facilities.
• Ensure compliance with campus policies and safety regulations.
• Plan, schedule, and monitor facility maintenance and projects.
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning.

Skills

Staff supervision

Operations management

Budget management

Emergency response

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Facility software

Job description

Job Description

The Assistant Director for Facilities and Operations serves as a core administrative leader within the Recreation Center. The position directs overall facility management, building operations, and safety processes across all recreation programs. Key responsibilities include supervising professional and student staff, managing operational budgets, maintaining facility equipment, and supporting campus-wide recreational initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive leader with a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer service, and student development. They are comfortable managing multiple priorities, identifying and resolving facility and operational challenges, and leading professional and student employees with clear expectations and sound judgment.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required based on facility, program, event, and emergency needs. This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

Hiring Range

$55,000 - $60,000

Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of professional experience in facility operations, campus recreation, or a related field.
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills

• Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond calmly and effectively to operational issues and emergencies.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with students, employees, campus partners, contractors, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, develop, and mentor professional and student employees.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and independently identify and resolve operational issues.
• Proficiency with database systems, web-based applications, and technology used to support facility and recreation operations.

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership and oversight for the daily operation, management, maintenance, and safety of Campus Recreation facilities and operational spaces across campus.
• Monitors facility conditions, building operations, resource allocation, and operational standards to ensure safe, effective, and consistent delivery of recreation programs and services.
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, evaluates, and develops 40+ full-time, student, and temporary employees; establishes clear expectations and promotes accountability, teamwork, professional development, and high standards of customer service.
• Identifies operational and facility issues, develops practical solutions, and recommends and implements improvements to policies, procedures, and operating practices.
• Provides oversight of facility maintenance, repairs, preventive maintenance, improvements, and operational projects, working with university departments, contractors, and vendors to address priorities and resolve more complex facility needs.
• Supports emergency preparedness and response for Campus Recreation facilities and operations.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic and operational goals for Campus Recreation facilities.
• Assists with the development and management of facility and operations budgets and helps ensure the responsible allocation of departmental resources.
• Maintains appropriate equipment inventories and assists with the evaluation, selection, purchase, replacement, and installation of recreation and fitness equipment.
• Serves as an active member of the Recreation Center staff and contributes to department-wide planning, decision-making, programs, and special events.
• Collaborates with departmental staff on facility scheduling, rental requests, special events, and the appropriate use of recreation spaces.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with university departments, contractors, vendors, and other partners supporting facility operations.

Additional Functions

• Maintains current knowledge of Campus Recreation operations, university policies, and relevant industry practices.
• Responsible for teaching classes, attending meetings, and maintaining the policies and procedures associated with both the Lifetime Physical Activity and Summer Youth Activity Programs.
• Assists with contracts, proposals, presentations, research, operational reports, special projects, and other departmental initiatives.
• Represents Campus Recreation on university committees and at appropriate professional meetings and conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.