Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance

University Of Idaho; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Idaho seeks an Executive Director of Facilities Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance to lead a team of 50+ staff and oversee building systems, maintenance programs, and capital planning for campus facilities.

This role partners with the university to deliver reliable, safe, and sustainable environments, directing engineering support, technology use in operations, and emergency response readiness across the campus.

Qualifications

• Eight years of leadership experience in facilities management, operations and maintenance, engineering, utilities, or public administration.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate 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.
• 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 interact and influence at the most senior levels and collaborate across functions, levels, and departments toward shared objectives.
• Commitment to community engagement as a representative of the university and facilities team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and maintenance of the university’s facilities, building systems, and physical environment.
• Direct capital planning and engineering review for the utility P3.
• Serve as liaison to the utility P3 system operator.
• Oversee the design and improvement of a maintenance work order system.
• Oversee the facilities preventive maintenance program.
• Direct the use of technology in maintenance and operations processes.
• Provide engineering support for operations and maintenance activities and utility capital planning.
• Participate in capital planning for deferred maintenance, alterations, and repairs.
• Advance the university’s education and research missions by a welcoming, safe environment.
• Ensure timely, effective, efficient, and professional customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Project management

Writing & analysis

Interpersonal skills

Budget & finance

Education

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

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.

Responsibilities

• 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, and improvement 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.

Requirements

Education

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

Experience

• Eight years of leadership experience in facilities management, operations and maintenance, engineering, utilities, or public administration.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate 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.
• 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 and collaborate across functions, levels, and departments toward shared objectives.
• Commitment to community engagement as a representative of the university and facilities team.

Additional Preferred

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

Required Other

• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet policy requirements for driving university vehicles.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours and respond to emergencies and university closures.

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

Degree qualification listed is required at time of hire.

EEO Statement

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