Assistant Director, Academic Facilities Operations

Brown University•Druid Hills, GA

1d•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. 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

Lead planning, design, and management of research and academic facilities across the Office of the Dean of Faculty (DOF) portfolio
Partner with academic units and stakeholders to align facilities with programmatic needs, ensure operational continuity, and support the university's academic and research missions
Serve 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
Supervise operational staff to maintain effective, reliable facility operations
Collaborate with university partners to deliver a wide range of projects in offices, laboratories, core facilities, and instructional spaces
Conduct feasibility assessments for scientific instrumentation
Manage lab buildouts and closeouts
Oversee office and lab relocations
Perform space planning
Coordinate renovation projects
Coordinate emergency response