Director of Reliability and Maintenance

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa seeks a Director of Reliability and Maintenance for the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) to lead facility reliability, calibration programs, utilities, and infrastructure in a regulated biomanufacturing setting. The role emphasizes strategic planning, budget oversight, and contractor management to ensure operational readiness.

Based in Coralville, IA, this on-site leadership position requires strong mechanical aptitude, excellent communication, and

Qualifications

• Typically 5-7 years overseeing biomanufacturing facility maintenance and reliability programs.
• Strong organizational, detail-oriented, and communication skills.
• Experience supervising employees, contractors, and service providers.
• Experience managing operating budgets for manufacturing/research operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with biomanufacturing equipment.
• Commitment to inclusive, welcoming work/academic environment.
• Valid state or commercial driver’s license per Fleet Standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for facility maintenance and reliability programs.
• Oversee calibration & maintenance programs, utilities, infrastructure, and lifecycle management.
• Ensure regulatory compliance including validation.
• Manage budgets and contractor relationships.
• Support growth, operational excellence, and strategic objectives.
• Ensure safe, reliable operation of all facility assets.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Supervising experience

Budget management

Mechanical aptitude

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in appropriate field

Tools

CMMS platforms

Asset lifecycle management tools

Job description

As a member of the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) leadership team, the Director of Reliability and Maintenance serves as a technical and managerial leader responsible for strategic planning, budget oversight, and contractor management. The director also ensures that facilities and equipment are maintained in a state of operational readiness. The Director of Reliability and Maintenance provides leadership and oversight for facility and equipment calibration & maintenance programs, utility systems, infrastructure projects, equipment lifecycle management, and regulatory compliance activities such as validation. This position is responsible for ensuring reliable, safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all facility assets while supporting organizational growth, operational excellence, and long-term strategic objectives. This position requires mechanical aptitude and skill in working with equipment associated with biomanufacturing.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm and participation in after-hours monitoring and response for facility and equipment outages. Work Location: Coralville, IA. Work Modality: In-person, on-site.

To learn more about the department visit https://cbb.research.uiowa.edu/

Pay Grade: 6A. The hiring range for this position is anticipated to be $90,000-$100,000. Salary offers are based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, skills, and budget considerations. In limited circumstances, compensation outside of the anticipated range may be considered for candidates with exceptional qualifications.

Qualifications

Education or Equivalency Required

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications

• Typically, 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience overseeing biomanufacturing facility maintenance and reliability programs, technical services, engineering support, process utilities, and infrastructure systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Evidence of strong organizational skills, attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supervising employees, contractors, and technical service providers.
• Experience managing operating budgets to support manufacturing and/or research operations.
• Evidence of strong mechanical aptitude and skill in working with equipment associated with biomanufacturing.
• Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• Experience managing capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
• Experience with CMMS platforms and reliability-centered maintenance programs.
• Experience managing facility compliance, audit readiness, and operational quality systems.
• Experience with equipment qualification, commissioning, validation, calibration, or asset lifecycle management programs.
• Strategic planning experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible facilities and maintenance leadership experience.
• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research, higher education, or other highly regulated environments.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check, credential/education verification and verification of a valid state or commercial driver’s license, and ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact: VPR Talent ( [e-mail] )

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

About the University of Iowa

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Core Facility Research Mgr/Dir
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Contact Information

• Contact Name: VPR Talent

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .