Manager, Plant Operations- Full Time- Day

Hackensack Meridian Health; Hackensack (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health is seeking a Manager of Plant Operations to lead facility operations within a high‑acuity academic medical setting. The role emphasizes strategic direction, maintenance leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration to support patient care and research.

The position requires seven years of experience in complex construction or plant operations, advanced building systems knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years managing complex construction projects or Plant Operations.
• Advanced knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering/Facilities/Construction.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for facility operations and maintenance programs to ensure continuity for high‑acuity patient care.
• Lead complex infrastructure and capital construction projects from concept to closeout.
• Serve as regulatory liaison for surveys and compliance programs (e.g., PICRA, ICRA).
• Oversee Central Utility Plant operations and energy conservation initiatives.
• Collaborate with clinical, academic, and research leadership to align operations with throughput and research needs.
• Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets; monitor resource allocation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Project management

Regulatory liaison

Team leadership

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering/Facilities/Construction

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.

At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Manager, Plant Operations, HUMC provides strategic leadership for the management, planning, and continuous improvement of hospital facility operations within an Academic Medical Center or equivalent (greater than 600 sq ft and more than 300 beds). Given the size/scale of the medical center, oversees complex infrastructure, multi-layered capital construction projects, and high-level regulatory compliance. Acts as the primary liaison for energy conservation initiatives, academic/clinical stakeholder integration, and major infrastructure planning to ensure an uninterrupted, safe environment for high‑acuity patient care.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Manager, Plant Engineer at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction for facility operations, overseeing comprehensive maintenance programs, personnel development, and daily plant infrastructure to ensure operational continuity in a high‑acuity, research‑intensive medical environment.


• Capital Strategy & Project Management: Lead complex infrastructure and capital construction projects from concept through closeout. Manage the engagement of consulting architects/engineers, bid specifications, and AIA‑standard project oversight.


• Regulatory Liaison (Advanced): Serve as the primary regulatory point of contact for TJC/DOH/EPA surveys. Ensure meticulous execution of high‑risk compliance protocols, including Pre‑Construction Infection Control (PICRA), ICRA, and Interim Life Safety programs for critical care and research areas.


• Utility & Energy Strategy: Oversee Central Utility Plant operations to guarantee service reliability. Develop and implement strategic energy conservation initiatives, monitoring ROI and long‑term utility planning to align with institutional sustainability goals.


• Stakeholder Integration: Proactively partner with clinical, medical staff, academic, and research leadership to align facility operations with clinical throughput and research requirements.


• Financial Stewardship: Develop and oversee Section Operational and Capital Budgets, ensuring resource allocation supports long‑term infrastructure health and institutional financial objectives.


• Technical Oversight: Provide technical assistance for cross‑departmental projects, manage vendor/contractor performance, and ensure full compliance with all hospital policies.


• Maintains job competency by attending educational and informational training seminars and sessions relative to systems and equipment or other subjects appropriate to the job being held.


• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.


• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs.


• Minimum 7 years managing complex construction projects and/or Plant Operations experience involving installation of substantial plant equipment.


• Advanced knowledge of architecture, building structures, plumbing, HVAC, electrical installations, mechanical systems, site planning, landscaping and architectural finishes.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred.


• Hospital or institutional experience preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Gold Seal Operating Engineer License.


• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), trade‑specific licensing (HVAC, Electrical, or Plumbing).

Starting Minimum Rate

Minimum rate of $133,120 Annually

Job Posting Disclosure

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market‑competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non‑discriminatory factors, including but not limited to: Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies. Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization. Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance‑based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full‑time and part‑time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.