Associate Director, Maintenance and Operations

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 102,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Library and museum access

Free transit pass

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks an Associate Director to lead the Maintenance Operations group within Facilities Services. You will supervise staff, manage budgets, and drive reliable, cost-efficient building maintenance across campus.

The role requires a strong background in large-scale HVAC/mechanical systems, leadership, and collaboration with campus stakeholders to meet strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of progressive leadership in facilities operations.
• Extensive experience with large HVAC, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Maintenance Operations group and manage budgets and programs.
• Ensure reliable, cost-effective maintenance of buildings and shop productivity.
• Enforce safety, conduct performance reviews, and training.
• Coordinate with campus clients to meet needs beyond expectations.
• Advance energy conservation and sustainability practices across facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

HVAC systems knowledge

Communication skills

Budgeting and cost tracking

Facilities management

Team supervision

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or similar

Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering (preferred)

Job description

Associate Director, Maintenance and Operations

University of Texas at Austin is seeking to hire an experienced Associate Director to support the maintenance and operations of the university campus.
You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for its academic programs and research. Your work will contribute to operational excellence and enhance the student experience.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

Security sensitive; Criminal background check conducted on selected applicant. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing check. This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code 51.215. Applications will be reviewed online by the hiring department.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday‑Friday, On‑Site. Schedule to be discussed with direct supervisor. Some overtime, evening, weekends, and holidays possible.

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Purpose

To lead the Maintenance Operations group of the Facilities Operations and Maintenance division. Be a resource and point of contact for maintenance issues, plans, and programs for Facilities Services and the University at large.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a disciplined, trained, and motivated workforce. Addresses personnel issues including supervision, performance evaluations, training, and corrective action when necessary.
• Ensures that the buildings assigned to each shop are reliably maintained in an efficient and cost‑effective manner. Ensures the effective use of resources and a consistent level of service by maximizing the productivity of the assigned shops.
• Interprets and enforces work rules, rules of conduct, performance standards, university and departmental policies, procedures, regulations, etc., among assigned employees. Personally demonstrates a commitment and adherence to the above.
• Is in regular contact with campus clients to ensure that their needs are understood and that those needs are met in ways that exceed their expectations. Works to ensure a positive image for Maintenance Operations and Facilities Operations and Maintenance throughout the campus community.
• Maximizes the use of energy resources by developing and following operational conservation practices. Works in concert with other campus groups to develop standards that promote sustainable energy policies.
• Promotes good safety and housekeeping practices. Provides oversight of shop safety programs.
• Provides input on the development of and manages various budgets. Implements operational policies, procedures, and practices for the control of the assigned budget.
• Sets meaningful and challenging goals that are supportive of the Facilities Services Strategic Plan and Goals and One Great Team initiative. Works with the shop managers and supervisors to do the same. Regularly tracks and reports on progress toward achieving those goals.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or similar technical field. 10 years of relevant professional experience demonstrating progressive leadership, increasing organizational responsibility, and staff supervision. 10 years increasingly responsible experience maintaining, operating, and commissioning of large commercial, institutional, or industrial HVAC, mechanical or electrical systems. Experience with large complex facility HVAC, mechanical and electrical system measurements, analysis, design, and capacity modification, commissioning, and troubleshooting. Experience with simultaneously designing and managing several projects through to conclusion within restrictive time constraints. Demonstrated excellent communication and collaboration skills. Knowledge of building codes including IBC and Mechanical Code, NFPA, NEC and National and International standards including State of Texas Energy Conservation Code, International Energy Conservation Code, ASHRAE and ANSI. Personal computer experience including developing and using complex spreadsheets and software for engineering analysis, project budgeting, and cost tracking, and facilities management.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Fifteen or more years of experience at a senior facilities maintenance management level in a medium to large size organization. Masters Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or similar technical field. Licensed by Texas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. Experience with design, procurement, installation, programming, maintenance, commissioning and project management of wide area networked building automation systems, energy management systems. Experience with preventive maintenance systems, implementation and performance, coordinating project consultant design and construction documents, supervisory skills, team building construction/renovation, contract administration, and management.

Driving Requirements

This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver's license. The applicant must provide a current three‑year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre‑employment, post‑accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return‑to‑duty, and follow‑up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$170,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Environmental Demands: May work around standard office conditions.

Physical Demands: Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation; use of manual dexterity.

Additional Working Conditions: This position requires you to maintain internet service and mobile phone with voice and data plans to be used as required for work.

Work Shift: 40 Hour work week schedule; On‑Site, Monday‑Friday. Schedule to be discussed with direct supervisor. May be required to work some overtime, evening, weekends, and holidays possible.

Required Materials

Resume/CV; 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor; Letter of interest.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E‑Verify

The University of Texas at Austin uses E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E‑Verify is 854197. For more information about E‑Verify, please see the following: E‑Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]; Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]; Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF].

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified as a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP‑3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.