Facilities Operations Manager

JLL; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health, Dental & Vision

Parental leave

Paid Time Off

Daily Pay

Job summary

JLL in Cambridge, MA seeks a Facilities Operations Manager to lead a life-sciences facility, owning day-to-day operations, vendor relationships, and continuous improvement. You will oversee HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BAS, and lab utilities to ensure safety and 24/7 reliability.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or facilities management and 6+ years of FM experience in life sciences, with strong regulatory knowledge and budget management. On-site role with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of progressive facilities management experience, with 3+ years in life sciences/pharma/biotech environments.
• Regulatory knowledge including FDA regulations, GMP, and cleanroom standards.
• Experience managing HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency power, and lab utilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the facilities operations team – technicians, engineers, and vendor partners – fostering safety, accountability, energy, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee critical building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BAS, lab support equipment) for 24/7 reliability.
• Maintain compliance with FDA, EPA, OSHA, MWRA and other regulatory requirements for life sciences facilities.
• Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs leveraging data analytics where applicable.
• Manage vendor contracts, SLAs, and KPI performance for quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate capital improvement projects and equipment installations with minimal disruption.
• Respond to emergencies and lead root-cause analyses to prevent recurrence.
• Prepare and manage operating budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities while preserving safety.
• Serve as primary liaison with client leadership on performance metrics and upcoming projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budget management

Regulatory knowledge

Facility management

Emerging tech mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Facilities Management

Advanced degree in Engineering/Facilities Management

Tools

CMMS

Building automation systems

AI-integrated facilities management

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Facilities Operations Manager – JLL

What This Job Involves

As a Facilities Operations Manager supporting our life sciences client, you will serve as the strategic operational leader responsible for maintaining a safe, compliant, and high-performing facility environment. This role is for a driven, high-energy professional who brings an infectious enthusiasm for operational excellence. You are someone who does not just manage a facility – you own it, with deep, hands-on knowledge of every system, process, and stakeholder relationship that keeps it running at its best. This role demands both technical mastery and exceptional relationship-building skills as you oversee all aspects of facility operations including HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, critical utilities, and regulatory compliance specific to life sciences environments. You will manage vendor relationships, lead high-performing facilities teams, and uphold the stringent standards required in pharmaceutical and biotech settings.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the facilities operations team – including technicians, engineers, and vendor partners – fostering a culture of safety, accountability, energy, and continuous improvement
• Oversee critical building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BAS, and laboratory support equipment to ensure 24/7 operational reliability
• Maintain comprehensive compliance with FDA, EPA, OSHA, MWRA and other regulatory requirements specific to life sciences facilities
• Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs that optimize equipment performance and extend asset lifecycles – leveraging AI-powered tools and data analytics where applicable
• Manage vendor contracts, service level agreements, and KPI performance metrics to ensure quality service delivery and cost-effectiveness
• Coordinate and oversee capital improvement projects, facility modifications, and equipment installations with minimal disruption to ongoing operations
• Respond swiftly and decisively to emergency situations and lead root-cause analysis efforts to prevent recurrence of facilities-related incidents
• Prepare and manage the facilities operating budget, identifying cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality and safety standards
• Serve as the primary facilities liaison with client leadership, providing regular updates on performance metrics, upcoming projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and technology advancement opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 6+ years of progressive facilities management experience, with at least 3+ years in a life sciences, pharmaceutical, or biotech environment
• Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements including FDA regulations, GMP, and cleanroom standards
• Proven experience managing critical facilities infrastructure including HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency power systems, and laboratory utilities
• Experience managing capital projects and facility modifications from planning through execution
• Strong budget management skills with demonstrated ability to optimize costs while maintaining service excellence
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• Open, forward-thinking mindset toward emerging technologies, including AI applications in facility management, predictive maintenance platforms, and digital twin environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related discipline
• Professional certifications such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Professional Engineer (PE)
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), building automation systems, and AI-integrated facility management platforms
• Background in commissioning and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) of laboratory and manufacturing equipment
• Experience supporting GxP or clinical operations in regulated environments

Location

Cambridge, MA (on-site)

Compensation

Estimated compensation for this position: 140,000.00 – 160,000.00 USD per year

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

Equal Employment Opportunity

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation.