Executive Director, Facilities Operations

APPA; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed College in Portland, Oregon is seeking an experienced Executive Director of Facilities Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for the campus infrastructure. The role oversees maintenance, custodial services, grounds, space planning, and capital projects, ensuring a safe, functional, and welcoming environment.

This executive-level position partners with senior leadership, staff, students, and trustees to balance immediate needs with long-term facilities planning, budget

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management.
• Leadership experience of at least 5 years in a senior role.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for facilities operations including maintenance, custodial, grounds, preventive maintenance, space planning, and capital projects.
• Develop and implement policies for facility maintenance, space utilization, design, construction, and long-term infrastructure needs.
• Oversee preventive, corrective, and deferred maintenance planning to ensure safety and long-term sustainability.
• Plan and manage capital improvement projects through full lifecycle: scope, design, budgeting, execution, delivery.
• Direct facilities supervisors and managers; lead maintenance, custodial, and grounds teams.
• Manage contracts, consultants, and vendors with oversight on selection and performance.

Job description

Reed College is seeking an experienced and collaborative Executive Director of Facilities Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for the college’s physical campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance & Treasurer, this executive-level position oversees facilities maintenance, custodial services, preventive maintenance, grounds, space planning, and capital projects while ensuring a safe, functional, sustainable, and welcoming campus environment.

About the Role

The Executive Director of Facilities Operations leads both the day-to-day operation and long-term stewardship of Reed College’s facilities. The position develops strategies and policies that support efficient and cost-effective operations, regulatory compliance, effective use of campus resources, and long-term capital needs.

This is a highly visible campus leadership role that works closely with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, contractors, consultants, and community partners. The Executive Director must be able to translate complex facilities, operational, and capital matters into clear recommendations that support institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will be a strong operational and people leader who can balance the immediate needs of a complex campus with long-term facilities planning. They will bring sound judgment, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to build productive relationships across organizational levels while maintaining accountability for projects, budgets, safety, and service.

This position is on campus and regularly interfaces with Reed College students, faculty, staff, leadership, and external partners.

Benefits and Compensation

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance options for you and your dependents, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, 22 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, half-day Fridays in the summer, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time role with typical work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch.

The starting salary for this position is $175,000 - $185,000 per year. For candidates whose experience significantly exceeds the minimum qualifications, the salary may be up to $195,000. Pay offers are contingent upon experience and are determined through an internal pay assessment. This is an exempt position on exempt grade 13.

Who You Are

• You are a strong, collaborative leader who enjoys developing teams and helping people succeed.
• You communicate clearly and comfortably with a wide range of audiences.
• You bring a strong understanding of building trades and technical facilities operations, gained through hands-on experience or active involvement working alongside skilled trades and technical teams.
• You are experienced in labor relations, employee coaching, and performance management.
• You are comfortable leading through change and looking for better ways to get work done.
• You think strategically while staying connected to day-to-day facilities operations.
• You know how to move capital projects from planning/design and budgeting through successful completion.
• You understand preventive and deferred maintenance and how to balance immediate needs with long-term priorities.
• You are comfortable managing budgets, resources, contractors, consultants, and vendors.
• You understand space planning, infrastructure, and the complexities of maintaining a campus environment.
• You use data, budgets, timelines, and performance measures to guide decisions and priorities.
• You thrive in a busy environment and enjoy managing a varied and interesting to-do list.
• You are adaptable when priorities and plans change, especially when the change leads to a better outcome.
• You value safety, accountability, collaboration, inclusivity, continuous improvement, and excellent service.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership for facilities operations, including maintenance, custodial services, grounds, preventive maintenance, space planning, and capital projects.
• Develop and implement policies and strategies for facility maintenance and repair, space utilization, design, construction, and long-term campus infrastructure needs.
• Lead preventive, corrective, and deferred maintenance planning to support the safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability of campus facilities.
• Plan and manage capital improvement projects through the full project lifecycle, including scope design/development, design, budgeting, execution, and delivery.
• Direct facilities supervisors and managers and provide leadership to maintenance, custodial, and grounds teams.
• Develop short- and long-term operational plans, programs, contracts, and priorities for Facilities Services.
• Manage contractors, subcontractors, professional service consultants, and vendors, including solicitation, selection, negotiation, and performance oversight.
• Track project and operational performance against budgets, milestones, and other performance indicators and provide reports and recommendations to college leadership.
• Communicate facilities projects and operational impacts effectively to individuals, departments, buildings, and the broader campus community.
• Present complex facilities and strategic matters to senior leadership, faculty, the Board of Trustees, and other campus and community groups.
• Foster a departmental culture centered on safety, accountability, collaboration, inclusivity, service, and continuous improvement.
• Partners with Human Resources in labor relations and collective bargaining, including union negotiations, contract administration, and implementation of collective bargaining agreements affecting Facilities operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, including at least five years in a leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Effective budget management and resource allocation aligned with organizational priorities.
• Experience leading facilities operations within a higher education environment.
• Working knowledge of applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Experience supporting sustainability and environmentally responsible facilities practices.
• Knowledge of relevant state, county, and municipal regulations, codes, and reporting requirements.
• Experience leading represented employees and participating in union negotiations and collective bargaining matters.