Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance

APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Idaho seeks an Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance to lead and direct the university’s facilities systems, maintenance, and capital planning. The role includes guiding engineering reviews for the utility P3 and serving as the main business partner to the P3 system Operator.

The position requires extensive leadership experience in facilities and utilities, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning, process improvements, and delivering

Qualifications

• Eight years of leadership experience in facilities management, operations and maintenance, engineering, utilities, or public administration.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, construction management, architecture, organizational management, public administration or project management.
• Master’s degree and professional certifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the effective, accessible, and sustainable operations and maintenance of university facilities, building systems, and physical environment.
• Direct capital planning and engineering review for the utility P3.
• Serve as primary business partner to the utility P3 system Operator.
• Oversee design, implementation, and improvement of maintenance work order systems and preventive maintenance programs.
• Provide engineering support for operations and maintenance activities and capital planning.
• Interact with senior leadership to maintain world-class customer service to campus users.

Skills

Leadership

Facilities management

Engineering

Operations management

Capital planning

P3 experience

Policy and governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Master’s Degree in engineering or management

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Tools

NA

Job description

Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance

The Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance provides leadership, technical direction, and business process oversight of University of Idaho Facilities Operations and Maintenance as well as capital planning and operational oversight for the utility public private partnership (P3). Supported by over 50 staff members, this position oversees the effective, accessible, and sustainable building system operations and maintenance for university facilities, while providing engineering support and ensuring world‑class customer service to campus users.

This is an essential position that may be called upon in the event of an emergency and/or university closure.

Duties may include

• Oversee the effective, accessible, and sustainable operations and maintenance of the university’s facilities, building systems, and physical environment
• Oversee, direct, and perform capital planning and engineering review for the utility P3
• Serve as the university liaison and primary business partner to the utility P3 system Operator
• Oversee the design, implementation, improvement, and operations of an effective maintenance work order system
• Oversee the design, implementation, and improvement of the facilities preventative maintenance program
• Direct the effective use of technology in maintenance and operations processes
• Provide engineering support for operations and maintenance activities and utility capital planning
• Participate in university capital planning for deferred maintenance, alterations, and repairs
• Advance the university’s education and research missions by creating a welcoming, safe and comfortable physical environment
• Ensure timely, effective, efficient, and professional customer service
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience

• Eight years of leadership experience in facilities management, operations and maintenance, engineering, utilities, or public administration including:
  • Planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating projects, programs, and initiatives
  • Leadership of maintenance, capital planning, business, and financial operations
  • Strategic planning, design, and deployment
  • Resolving conflict and addressing competing interests
  • Building accountability, respect, and performance within a team
  • Process improvement
  • Editing and writing business correspondence using proper grammar and punctuation as demonstrated in application materials
  • Collecting and analyzing data, summarizing findings, and generating strategies for leadership

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, construction management, architecture, organizational management, public administration, business administration or project management

Required Other

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet policy requirements for driving university vehicles
• Ability to travel
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours and respond to emergencies and university closures

Additional Preferred

Advanced Degrees and Certifications

• Master’s Degree in engineering, organizational management, construction management, architecture, public administration, business administration, project management, or other field related to facilities management, operations and maintenance, or utilities
• Current Professional Engineering (PE) license
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• APPA Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) credential

Experience

• Experience with P3s
• Experience in LEED and International Energy Code
• Experience in district and building level utility systems
• Higher education work experience
• Experience applying project management principles to cross‑functional projects or change initiatives
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Proactive, strategic approach to work with a strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and effectiveness
• Expertise in prioritizing workflow and managing resources
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
• Ability to maintain attention to detail and high standards for deliverables and outcomes
• Ability to interact and influence at the most senior levels of an organization and to work collaboratively across functions, levels, and departments toward shared objectives
• Commitment to community engagement as a representative of the university and facilities team

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to work outdoors and indoors in inclement weather and conditions
• Ability to move about and between venues for extended periods of time up to a full day of work

Degree Requirement: Listed degree qualification is required at time of hire

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Category: Exempt

Pay Range: $140,000 or higher, commensurate with experience

Type of Appointment: Fiscal Year

FTE: 1

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Funding: (not specified)

Visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy: No

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.