Assistant Director, Academic Facilities Operations

Brown University • Village of Aurora, NY

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director leads planning, design, and management of research and academic facilities across the Office of the Dean of Faculty (DOF) portfolio. The role partners with academic units and stakeholders to align facilities with programmatic needs, ensure operational continuity, and support the university's academic and research missions. The Assistant Director possesses a strong understanding of building and laboratory mechanical systems and serves as a key liaison with Facilities Management (FM), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Fire Safety, Public Safety (DPS), and external contractors to proactively address safety, security, and infrastructure issues related to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural, and other systems. The position supervises operational staff to maintain effective, reliable facility operations and collaborates with university partners to deliver a wide range of projects in offices, laboratories, core facilities, and instructional spaces. Responsibilities include feasibility assessments for scientific instrumentation, lab buildouts and closeouts, office and lab relocations, space planning, renovation projects, and emergency response coordination. The work location for this position is on-site.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 5-7 years of related construction or building maintenance experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Extensive knowledge of research and instructional facility management, including laboratory operations, safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Working knowledge of building and laboratory mechanical systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.) and their impact on research operations.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven ability to manage complex workloads with accuracy and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, using tact, discretion, and sound judgement.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and support operational staff in delivering high-quality facilities services.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other standard software platforms.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply project management tools such as Bluebeam Revu, Smartsheet, or similar systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in research laboratory operation, planning, design, and construction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning, design, and management of research and academic facilities
• Partners with academic units and stakeholders to align facilities with programmatic needs
• Ensures operational continuity
• Supports the university's academic and research missions
• Serves as a key liaison with Facilities Management (FM), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Fire Safety, Public Safety (DPS), and external contractors
• Proactively address safety, security, and infrastructure issues related to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural, and other systems
• Supervises operational staff to maintain effective, reliable facility operations
• Collaborates with university partners to deliver a wide range of projects in offices, laboratories, core facilities, and instructional spaces
• Feasibility assessments for scientific instrumentation
• Lab buildouts and closeouts
• Office and lab relocations
• Space planning
• Renovation projects
• Emergency response coordination

Benefits

• Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance, summer hours, winter break, and a comprehensive Benefits package, including time off and annual paid holidays.
• Benefit offerings include health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees