Director of Facilities - Operations

Harvarduniversity; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Graduate School of Education seeks a Director of Facilities to provide operational and technical leadership for all facilities management functions. The role ensures safe, efficient, and sustainable campus operations across 6 owned buildings and 2 leased properties, supervising 20 Harvard and contracted staff with an annual operating budget of $4.0M.

The position entails overseeing MEP and life safety systems, directing capital planning, contracts, and sustainability initiatives to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management.
• Experience with budget management, contract negotiation, and vendor oversight.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and delegate operational responsibilities to ensure safe, efficient facilities operations.
• Maintain and improve MEP, life safety systems, and infrastructure compliance.
• Develop project plans, manage contracts, and lead capital renewal efforts.
• Coordinate with operations leadership on budgeting, procurement, and performance metrics.
• Lead and develop facilities staff, manage work orders, and ensure service quality.

Skills

Facilities leadership

Budget management

Contract negotiation

Vendor oversight

MEP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of Facilities provides operational and technical leadership for all facilities management functions at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This role ensures that HGSE's campus operates safely, efficiently, and sustainably, supporting the School's mission of teaching and learning, research, and engagement with the field. The Harvard Graduate School of Education campus is comprised of 6 owned buildings on Appian Way and 2 leased properties in Harvard Square. The eight spaces total an overall square footage of 252,737. The Director leads a team of 20 Harvard and contracted staff, the Director manages an annual operating budget of $4.0M

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Accountable for ensuring organizational-wide compliance and optimal performance of all facility systems by overseeing and delegating operational responsibilities to subordinate managers and specialized staff.
• Ensure that all MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) systems, fire alarm and fire protection systems, generators, and other life safety systems properly operate.
• Develop in depth knowledge of the variety of systems and infrastructure across the facility. Construct and manage service contracts, preventive maintenance, and corrective repairs to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
• Plan projects and lead teams to successfully complete system upgrades and operational projects ( Maintain the campus renewal database and ensure regulatory compliance across all systems and operations.
• Liaises with Harvard Engineering & Utilities to ensure infrastructure and life safety systems comply with city and utility regulations. Oversees utility usage tracking, billing accuracy, and collaborates with the Chief of Operations on annual projections and performance alignment, developing and implementing reconciliation plans as needed.
• Provides leadership and direction to the facilities team to ensure effective utilization of the work order management system, emphasizing performance metrics, reporting, and a customer-focused service culture.

Planning & Project Management

• Partnering with the Chief of Operations, sets short and long range goals and priorities for facilities management.
• Provides proactive recommendations on long range strategic planning for preventative maintenance, service, and improvement projects.
• Oversee the planning, budgeting, bidding, and approval processes, for non-capital construction projects and environmental health and safety and sustainability initiatives.
• Oversee and participates in the selection of contractors; develops contracts in accordance with Harvard University and HGSE policies.
• Develop and maintain the campus renewal database, sustainability improvement opportunities, and accessibility state. Analyze and leverage the data to develop recommended projects for the multiyear capital planning process.
• Represent facility interest on capital projects to ensure that facility standards and needs are adhered to and properly maintained.
• Work with project team to review all design drawings, equipment specifications, and construction submittals to ensure compliance with HGSE and University facility standards.
• Actively support all capital projects making sure that all infrastructure impacts are properly supported without adversely affecting the daily campus operation.

Sustainability & Energy Management

• Collaborate with Chief of Operations to develop an energy management strategy, advancing efficiency and carbon reduction goals.
• Partner with the HGSE Green Team to support campus-wide behavioral change initiatives.
• Support sustainability initiatives like the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Core on capital projects.
• Implement sustainability initiatives such as waste diversion, recycling, and green procurement.

Accessibility, Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Oversees facility assessment processes for ADA compliance, ensures identification of deficiencies, and develops strategic remediation and collaborates with the Chief of Operations.
• Develop plans and Oversee fire alarm, sprinkler, evacuation, and life safety drills/testing.
• Serve as a member of HGSE's Local Emergency Management Team and support emergency preparedness, response, and business continuity efforts.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, preferably in higher education or a large, complex institution.
• Experience in MEP systems, utilities, and life safety systems.
• Experience with budget management, contract negotiation, and vendor oversight.

This is designated as critical and essential personnel and is required to report to campus during emergencies to support continuity of Operations