Executive Director of Physical Plant

APPA; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CNM seeks an Executive Director of Physical Plant to provide strategic oversight of facilities, maintenance, and capital improvements across all CNM campuses. The role ensures a safe, well-maintained environment and aligns operations with the college’s mission.

The position leads a large, multidisciplinary team, directs long-range facility planning, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to execute capital projects and optimize facility performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, construction management, architecture, engineering, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages a multidisciplinary department with priorities, performance expectations, and professional development.
• Oversees facilities operations, capital planning, and maintenance across CNM campuses and sites.
• Coordinates with College leadership and external partners to align facilities with institutional objectives.
• Plans major renovations, renewal projects, and infrastructure improvements; ensures regulatory compliance.
• Provides leadership for capital funding strategies and multi-year capital planning.

Skills

Leadership

Facilities management

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in facilities mgmt / related field

Job description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations, the Executive Director of Physical Plant provides leadership and strategic oversight for CNM’s college-wide facilities, physical plant operations, maintenance, custodial and grounds services, capital improvement activities, and related functions across campuses, centers, and sites.

The position leads and manages a large, multidisciplinary department and is responsible for establishing priorities, accountability, and the effective operation of all facilities and related services. The Executive Director oversees construction, renovation, renewal and replacement, facilities planning, regulatory compliance, budgets and resources, and long-range strategies that support a welcoming, safe, clean, efficient, sustainable, well-maintained College environment for learners, faculty, staff, and visitors

The position works collaboratively with College leadership and internal and external partners to align facilities operations and capital priorities, with CNM’s mission and institutional objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Directs, leads, and manages a multidisciplinary department by establishing organizational priorities and performance expectations; assigning and overseeing work; conducting or overseeing performance evaluations; ensuring appropriate training and professional development; fostering accountability, teamwork, and succession planning; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations consistent with the College policies.
• Serves as the College’s primary facilities liaison and point of accountability for facilities-related matters across CNM campuses, centers, and sites.
• Leads and manages College-wide facilities management, physical plant, and operations personnel in the areas of new construction, major renovations, and ongoing maintenance and operations of existing facilities across the College’s campuses, centers, and sites; plans, implements, manages, and evaluates College-wide physical plant functions and customer-oriented facilities services in support of the College’s vision and mission.
• Directs the activities of the department, which include planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensures College compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards.
• Plans, directs, and oversees major renovations, renewal and replacement, infrastructure improvements, deferred maintenance reduction, and ongoing maintenance of existing facilities across the College's campuses, centers, and sites, including the coordinated transition of completed projects into operations.
• Coordinates with College leadership, component leadership and administration, ITS, Space Solutions, subject matter experts, and other institutional stakeholders to establish project goals, objectives, and priorities; align facilities and capital planning with institutional needs and long-range objectives; and support timely planning, design, completion, occupancy, and use of the College facilities.
• Coordinates with the Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations to develop and continuously refine long-range facilities plans and strategies, integrating master planning, facility condition, infrastructure capacity, lifecycle needs, capital funding, operational readiness, and institutional priorities.
• Administers the strategic planning, prioritization, development, funding coordination, control and implementation of the College's Capital Improvement Program and related multi-year capital planning activities, including project intake, feasibility assessment, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Provides leadership and coordination for capital funding strategies, public funding requirements, and governmental processes associated with capital projects, renewal and replacement, and other facilities funding sources.
• Provides strategic oversight of the College master planning regarding facility condition, renewal and lifecycle needs, infrastructure requirements, building architectural design and engineering, space utilization and occupancy planning.
• Provides facilities input and coordinates with appropriate College offices on property-related matters affecting CNM facilities.
• Plays a pivotal role in cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with external entities, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders, fostering collaboration and synergy to enhance the College’s facilities management initiatives and support its mission.
• As critical member of the College’s emergency response team, this position plays a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and coordinating emergency preparedness protocols and response strategies, ensuring the safety and security of College facilities, personnel, and stakeholders during crisis situations.
• Oversees external contractors and vendors providing services and/or equipment for facilities operations and capital projects, ensuring accountability for performance, quality, scope, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, construction management, architecture, engineering, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field
• AND
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in facilities management, physical plant operations, capital planning, construction, engineering, public-sector facilities, or a closely related field, including at least five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership or management experience

Preferences:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education, K-12 education, public-sector facilities, or another complex multi-site institutional environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered in accordance with CNM policy.