Building Services Manager

Mississippi State University; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University is seeking a manager for facilities and operational support within the Applied Research Collaboratory (ARC). This role includes supervising day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance, and managing a team while promoting a high level of customer service.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience. A Master's degree and additional experience is preferred. Salary grade is based on departmental funding.

Qualifications

• Customer service focus and excellent communication skills are essential.
• 5 years of relevant work experience required.
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems and work within university/state purchasing systems needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct facilities and support functions for the Applied Research Collaboratory.
• Oversee lifecycle management of ARC assets to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Coordinate facility improvement projects, manage inventories, and audits.

Skills

Customer service focus

Excellent communication skills

Ability to delegate and multi-task

Leadership skills

Basic understanding of mechanical systems

Experience with MSU’s property, inventory and procurement systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Master’s degree and 9–12 years of relevant work experience

Job description

Position Function

Manages and directs facilities, property control, fleet, and operational support functions for the Applied Research Collaboratory (ARC). Serves as the primary point of contact for facility operations, maintenance, inventory and asset management, fleet administration, and regulatory compliance. Provides strategic planning, oversight, and coordination of operational activities to ensure efficient, compliant, and customer‑focused support of ARC's research mission.

Salary Grade

16 – please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile

The Research Business and Operations Center (RBOC) provides comprehensive business, financial, and administrative support to the Applied Research Collaboratory (ARC) (previously High Performance Computing Collaboratory-HPC²) and multidisciplinary research initiatives supported by the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED). RBOC delivers centralized services across the full research lifecycle, including pre‑award and post‑award administration, human resources, procurement, travel, asset and facilities management, and operational support. The center also enhances the visibility and impact of research through strategic communications, branding, and web services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides the general management, supervision, and professional direction to a comprehensive facilities management and support service organization that ensures the day‑to‑day activities are completed and the building is kept in peak operating condition.
2. Oversees the complete lifecycle management of ARC assets, including acquisition, inventory, assignment, maintenance, transfer, and disposal, ensuring compliance with university, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.
3. Serves as the primary liaison with MSU Facilities Management, Property Control, external contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders regarding facility, inventory, and operational matters.
4. Coordinates facility improvement projects and contractor services, including obtaining cost estimates, monitoring progress, and communicating project timelines and completion schedules.
5. Researches innovative ways to carry out the position function by carefully investigating all options and staying fiscally responsible to the department’s budget.
6. Oversees annual inventories, audits, compliance reviews, and reporting activities related to facilities, property, fleet, and operational functions.
7. Manages office space assignments, key control, fleet operations, vehicle maintenance records, fuel usage, and related administrative processes.
8. Tracks, prioritizes, and resolves support tickets in a timely manner while maintaining accurate documentation and status updates.
9. Coordinates facility safety inspections, monitors compliance with applicable regulations and policies, and ensures safe and efficient facility operations.
10. Responds to facility and operational emergencies, coordinates corrective actions, and communicates restoration and recovery timelines as necessary.
11. Provides direction and strategies for both complex and routine operational issues while developing procedures to maximize the utilization and efficiency of facilities, fleet resources, and capital improvement projects.
12. Promotes a high level of customer service and continuous improvement while supporting the operational needs of ARC faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Supervises student workers and intermittent employees assigned to facilities, property, and operational support functions. Coordinates and oversees the activities of contractors and vendors performing work within ARC facilities to ensure compliance with facility security requirements, safety standards, and operational procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• 5 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 9–12 years of relevant work experience plus the education above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Customer service focus.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to delegate and multi‑task.
• Leadership skills.
• Experience working within the confines of the university/state purchasing system.
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems.
• Experience with MSU’s property, inventory and procurement systems or other business information systems and databases.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc.
• Frequent externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; travel or irregular hours often anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; may involve conflict‑resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.
• Job frequently requires standing, walking, reaching, climbing or balancing, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Instructions for Applying

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Apply online by submitting a cover letter and resume. For questions, please contact Whitley Alford at [e-mail].

Restricted Clause

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.