Manager or Director, Custodial & Grounds Operations (Facilities Maintenance)

Colgate University; Village of Hamilton (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Gym discounts

Bookstore savings

Athletic tickets

Access to cultural and recreationalfac

Job summary

Colgate University in Hamilton, NY seeks a Manager or Director, Custodial & Grounds Operations to lead Facilities - Grounds. The role oversees both grounds and custodial functions, staffing, budgets, safety, and campus maintenance, with a focus on delivering high-quality service on a large campus.

Requirements include supervising union staff, developing multi-year operating plans, and executing maintenance programs using scheduling tools.

Qualifications

• Progression of responsibility in grounds, custodial, or facilities operations with supervisory experience.
• Experience supervising union staff and applying CBAs to staffing, scheduling, and performance decisions.
• Experience building and executing maintenance/operations plans using scheduling software.

Responsibilities

• Coach and develop grounds/custodial leadership teams.
• Partner with supervisors to maintain campus grounds, buildings, and fields to community standards.
• Set clear expectations for inspections and follow-ups to fix safety/maintenance issues.
• Negotiate vendor terms and manage department budget within Colgate standards.
• Oversee both grounds and custodial functions (Director level) to ensure events run smoothly.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Union staffing & CBAs

Scheduling

Project management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in facilities management, horticulture, business, or related field

Tools

Scheduling software

Budgeting software

Job description

Manager or Director, Custodial & Grounds Operations (Facilities Maintenance)

Position Title Manager or Director, Custodial & Grounds Operations (Facilities Maintenance)

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Division

Division Finance and Administration

Department

Department Facilities - Grounds

Work Arrangement type

Work Arrangement type On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (required for either level)• Demonstrated progression of responsibility in grounds, custodial, or
facilities operations, including experience supervising staff and managing
budgets.
• Experience supervising union staff and applying collective bargaining
agreements to day-to-day staffing, scheduling, and performance decisions.
• A proven track record of building maintenance or operations plans and
execution, using scheduling or project management software to keep work
on track.
• Experience hiring, coaching, and managing performance for a team,
including fair, well-documented decisions.
• Experience managing a budget and working with vendors or contractors.

Additional Qualifications for Director-Level Consideration• Experience independently negotiating vendor and contractor agreements.
• Experience leading both grounds and custodial functions, or leading through
supervisors across more than one function at once.
• A track record of setting multi-year operating plans and operating with a
high degree of autonomy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience overseeing both grounds and custodial functions.
• Familiarity with landscaping techniques and best practices.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in facilities management, horticulture, business, or a related field, or a combination of relevant education and progressive hands-on experience.

Certifications

A current valid driver’s license, in accordance with the University’s Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Use Policy is required.

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Responsible for following all procedures to conduct work activities in a safe manner including but not limited to wearing PPE required for specific duties and safe handling of chemicals as outlined by University policies and/or the supervisor. Responsible for immediately reporting any unsafe conditions to the supervisor and/or Environmental Health and Safety.

Other Information

This position is deemed essential under the University’s Essential Personnel Policy.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.

Department Statement

It is the mission of the Facilities Department at Colgate University to create the safest, cleanest, and most comfortable environment that further distinguishes Colgate University as a world-class educational institution. We work hard as part of a unified team, to make everyone who arrives on campus feel welcomed.

“One team, one mission”

The Facilities Department provides the physical environment, utilities, and facilities support services necessary to promote the educational and research activities of the university. To ensure quality service to our community, we provide strong coordination and communication between multi-functional groups and our customers, with a customer-oriented approach. Training and development of self-directed teams promotes a work environment that encourages employee initiative, engagement and development.

Accountabilities

Accountabilities (both levels)• Coaches, develops and supports grounds and/or custodial leadership,
helping them build teams that take pride in their work.
• Partners with grounds and/or custodial supervisors to keep campus
grounds, buildings, athletic fields, and outdoor event spaces safe, well-kept,
and up to community standards.
• Sets clear expectations for regular grounds and building inspections, follows
up with supervisors on fixes, and proactively catches safety and
maintenance issues.
• Coaches supervisors through hiring, scheduling, and disciplinary decisions,
ensuring alignment with Colgate’s union agreements and employment law.
• Builds strong working relationships across campus, so other departments
view grounds and custodial services teams as responsive, trusted partners.

Additional Accountabilities at the Director Level• Oversees both grounds and custodial functions together, coordinating
supervisors across both so campus events run smoothly and setup/cleanup
don’t disrupt the rest of campus.
• Builds a clear operating plan and manages spending across both
departments, staying within budget while maintaining the campus
standards our community expects.
• Negotiates vendor terms independently and holds vendors to Colgate’s
standards, so contracts and equipment purchases are cost-effective and
dependable.

Requisition Number

Requisition Number 2026S071Posting

Temporary

Temporary No

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7a-3:30p — with some evenings/weekends needed for snowstorms, emergencies, and big campus events.

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 10/07/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Clery Act

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS
The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgates Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance . Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at [e-mail] .

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

• * Are you currently a Colgate employee?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Have you ever been a Colgate employee?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have a spouse/domestic partner who currently is, or will be, employed at Colgate University?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you at least 18 years of age?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please let us know how you heard about this position.
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  • Binghamton Press & Sun
  • BlackCoachesinSports
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  • Centralnewyorkhelpwanted.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
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  • Colgate Employee
  • Colgate Website
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  • HERC (Upstate New York HERC)
  • HigherEdJobs.com
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  • Other
• If you selected "Colgate Employee" or "Other" for how you heard about this position, please provide the employee's name or where you heard about/saw the position.

  (Open Ended Question)