Facilities Operations Director, Trades & Grounds

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Glendale (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Trades & Grounds to lead a diverse, highly skilled facilities operation spanning roughly 9.1 million gross square feet across the Kenwood Campus and satellite locations.

The role provides senior leadership for electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, carpentry, painting, locksmith, grounds, and related services, while aligning priorities, service standards, and workforce planning with institutional goals and safety

Qualifications

• Experienced facilities leader with strong knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, safety requirements, and multi-trade operations.
• Experience with grounds and snow/ice management, CMMS, construction, asset management, or facilities operations in a large university, research, healthcare, industrial, governmental, or similarly complex environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Directs trades and operations across electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, carpentry, grounds, and related services; leads supervisors and technical staff.
• Oversees maintenance planning, CMMS/work-order processes, and asset management; coordinates outages and emergency response.
• Directs safety, accessibility, emergency management, and regulatory compliance within assigned operations.
• Provides operational leadership for capital renewal, construction, asset management, and long-range facilities planning.

Skills

Facilities leadership

Building systems knowledge

Maintenance practices

Safety compliance

Multi-trade operations

Job description

The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Trades & Grounds to lead a diverse, highly skilled facilities operation spanning roughly 9.1 million gross square feet across the Kenwood Campus and satellite locations.

The role provides senior leadership for electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, carpentry, painting, locksmith, grounds, and related services, while aligning priorities, service standards, and workforce planning with institutional goals and safety