Manager 3, Facilities Operations

Inside Higher Ed; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 103,000 - 134,500; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization is seeking a Manager 3 for Facilities Operations to oversee daily operations related to maintenance and custodial services in the Academic District. The role involves managing teams, responding to emergencies, engaging with stakeholders, and strategizing for capital projects. Ideal candidates have a minimum of 7 years in building maintenance and a valid driver's license. The position offers a salary range of $103,000 to $134,500 based on experience and education, with a regular 40-hour schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years in building maintenance, custodial services, or grounds operations.
• Ability to lead teams and deliver customer service.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental services and property management.
• Lead emergency maintenance and utility outages.
• Serve as the liaison for facilities communications.
• Collaborate on major construction and renovation projects.
• Manage annual budget and monitor expenditures.
• Lead training and development for staff.
• Integrate sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Budget management

Facility oversight

Sustainability initiatives

Job description

Overview

Manager 3, Facilities Operations role at Inside Higher Ed. This position oversees daily operations related to maintenance and custodial services within the Academic District (Zones 3 and 4), serving as the primary point of contact for facilities-related services and issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilities Operations & Oversight: Manage environmental services, general maintenance, property management, and preventive maintenance across assigned buildings and grounds. Supervise two M1 Managers leading multi-disciplinary teams, including 27 maintenance personnel and three Facilities Services Specialist 3s responsible for contracted custodial services.
• Emergency Response Coordination: Lead emergency maintenance activities and utility outages on the Columbus Campus. Communicate with affected occupants, senior leadership, Public Safety, A&P Communications, and building leaders. Initiate alerts and escalate issues to appropriate teams and the campus community.
• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the central liaison for facilities-related communications, ensuring transparency and responsiveness to occupant needs and building impacts. Maintain regular contact with building representatives to meet or exceed service expectations.
• Capital Projects & Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the FDC Project Team on planning and development of major construction and renovation projects. Oversee capital and operational budgets and partner with OSU Energy Partners (OSEP) to implement Energy Conservation Measures. Develop strategic plans to optimize facility performance, extend asset lifecycles, and enhance cost-effectiveness.
• Deferred Maintenance Management: Work with the deferred maintenance team to catalog, prioritize, and address facility needs. Manage backlog reduction and capital prioritization. Plan and execute summer and break-period work to improve building comfort and cleanliness.
• Budget & Resource Management: Manage the annual zone budget, monitor expenditures, and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies. Advocate for facility needs including capital improvements, safety, utilities, inventory, and equipment.
• Staff Leadership & Development: Lead training and development for frontline managers and shop staff. Identify skill gaps, foster mentorship, and promote accountability through performance standards and operational reporting. Coordinate contractor and shop personnel activities as needed.
• Sustainability & Compliance: Integrate environmental sustainability initiatives into daily operations. Ensure compliance with university policies, including Disaster Preparedness and State of Emergency Policy 6.17. Participate in an on-call rotation and be available for 24-hour emergency response.

Qualifications

• Required
  Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in building maintenance, custodial services, and/or grounds operations, with demonstrated success in direct customer engagement.
• Proven ability to lead teams, foster collaborative work environments, and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Strongly Desired

• At least 2 years of experience supervising or managing teams in building maintenance, custodial, and/or grounds operations.
• Experience managing staff within a unionized environment.
• Hands-on technical experience in roles such as maintenance mechanic, building operations trade professional, custodian, or groundskeeper.

Additional Information

The target hiring range for this job profile is $103,000 - $134,500. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to education and years of experience.

Function: Facilities, Engineering, and Acquisition

Sub Function: Facilities Operations

Band: People Leader-Managerial

Level: M3

Job Details

Location: Aronoff Laboratory (0131)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post-offer process.

Equal opportunity employer: The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.