Director of Facilities Operations - CMU Miami

Carnegie Mellon University; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription, dental, and vis

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Transit pass

Childcare support

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University Miami is recruiting a Director of Facilities Operations to lead the operational launch of CMU's new Miami presence. You will oversee transition, establish facilities infrastructure, and manage ongoing operations and safety compliance.

You will develop RFPs and SOWs, manage vendor performance, and coordinate with CMU leadership and campus design teams to align facilities with strategic growth while ensuring cost controls and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in property management or campus real estate transition with procurement experience.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, security, safety, and compliance.
• Experience drafting RFPs, SOWs, and managing public procurement cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition of land and facilities to ensure continuity of services.
• Draft, publish and manage the RFP process for third‑party management.
• Define SOWs for grounds, custodial, security and maintenance.
• Monitor contractor performance post‑award and ensure SLAs/KPIs.
• Oversee budgets, transition costs, and immediate repair needs.
• Collaborate across Facilities Management, CMU Police, and planning teams.
• Align long‑term facility capabilities with master planning goals.
• Ensure compliance with codes, OSHA, ADA, and EHS guidelines.

Skills

Facilities leadership

Building systems expertise

RFP & SOW drafting

Vendor governance

Contract negotiation

Budget planning

MEP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management

CFM/CPM preferred

Job description

A New Campus. A New Model. A Bold New Chapter: Carnegie Mellon University Miami Through a significant investment in a new university presence in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, CMU is bringing its strengths in technology, research, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration to one of the world's most dynamic cities. CMU Miami will reimagine the traditional university model, bringing education and research together around some of society's most consequential challenges-not isolated disciplines. This future-focused environment will connect bold ideas, diverse expertise, technology, and real-world partnerships across education, research, industry, government, and the broader South Florida community. By connecting Carnegie Mellon's expertise with Miami's dynamic ecosystem, CMU Miami will create new opportunities to attract exceptional talent, cultivate partnerships, and turn discovery into meaningful, real-world impact. This is more than an expansion. It's an opportunity to help shape what a university can be and to contribute to ideas, discoveries, and solutions with the potential to make an impact far beyond Miami. Now, we need you. We're looking for people who want to do more than join an established institution. Bring your expertise, creativity, and perspective to help build CMU Miami from the ground up. Together, we can create something new, tackle substantial challenges, and shape a bold new chapter for Carnegie Mellon and for the future. Build What's Next in Miami. Help Shape a Better Future. Learn more about CMU Miami: https://miami.cmu.edu/

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Facilities Operations, you will play a pivotal role in bringing CMU Miami to life, leading the operational transition and launch of our newly acquired property while establishing the facilities, infrastructure, and operational foundation for this bold new chapter. In this pivotal role, you will hold primary operational responsibility for maintaining and optimizing all existing facilities and infrastructure in real time, ensuring site security, life safety, and uninterrupted daily continuity while plans for facility renovations and ground-up new construction unfold. Initially reporting to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Services, you will serve as the strategic lead for developing the Request for Proposal (RFP), defining detailed Scopes of Work (SOW), evaluating bids, and executing contract awards for outsourced property management and maintenance services. Balancing hands-on property management, vendor management, and collaborating on site development, you will bridge current site operations with the university's future capital expansion vision.

Job Functions/Core responsibilities:

Serve as the on-site lead during transition of land and existing facilities to ensure continuity of services and oversight for ground maintenance, physical security, life safety compliance and general asset preservation and maintenance.

Draft, publish and manage the RFP process for third-party property management and maintenance services.

Formulate detailed Scopes of Work (SOW) covering grounds maintenance, custodial, physical security, routine maintenance and waste management.

Serve as the primary university liaison for contractor performance monitoring post-award.

Establish vendor schedules, coordinate emergency repairs, and oversee physical plant needs (HVAC, Electrical, plumbing, utilities, perimeter security) prior to and following vendor deployment.

Develop initial operating and maintenance budgets, track transition and facility expenses, and oversee day-to-day cost controls for vendor contracts, and immediate repair needs.

Collaborate and ensure alignment and clear communications across several departments including Facilities Management Services (FMS), CMU Police Department, Campus Design and Facility Development (CDFD), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), and others.

Collaborate with University leadership, CDFD, campus planners, and others to align long-range facility capabilities with future academic, residential or administrative master planning goals for the property.

Ensure all mechanical, life safety, structural and environmental systems comply with local building codes, OSHA requirements, ADA standards and university Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) guidelines.

Lead a comprehensive physical asset condition assessment across all structures, utilities and infrastructure for existing and new facilities to identify immediate deferred maintenance risks and system lifecycle status.

Establish robust maintenance programs and translate complex technical facility requirements into clear operational Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

You Should Demonstrate:

Adaptability and openness to change as the department and organization evolves. Ability to work well with others and/or as part of a team. Ability to collaborate with colleagues at all levels of the organization regarding a variety of relevant issues. Ability to maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals. Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions. Ability to pay close attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records. Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to understand and follow strategic direction from senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in property management, facilities operations or campus real estate transition, with demonstrated technical expertise in building systems and infrastructure including: A demonstrated track record writing RFPs, drafting complex facilities Scope of Works (SOWs), and managing public or institutional procurement cycles.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of building MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), structural components, grounds maintenance and physical security protocols.
• Proven experience developing long-range maintenance action plans, managing maintenance and property management budgets and conducting lifecycle cost analyses.
• An ability to operate autonomously as a first-on-the-ground leader with strong contract negotiation, vendor governance, and technical troubleshooting capabilities.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration or related field.
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), or similar professional designation preferred.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Valid Driver's License
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check; including a drug and alcohol screening

Sponsorship:

• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States.
• CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.
• Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week), salaried position based in Miami, Florida. Work Posture: 4 days on-site; 1 day remote (within Miami area). Continuation of any hybrid work arrangement is not guaranteed and will be subject to further evaluation based on university policy, business needs, and institutional approval.

Benefits:

• Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well‑deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Location Miami, Florida

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

Please see Faculty Careers. For technical assistance, email HR Services or call 412-268-4600.

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-5072.

Prospective Employee Disclosures