Assistant Director - Facility Administration

Louisiana State University

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking an Assistant Director of Facility Administration. The Assistant Director of Facility Administration provides leadership and operational oversight for facility support services, campus operations, and property management functions across the 222-acre campus. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and well-maintained facilities through coordination of maintenance operations, custodial services, vendor management, and daily operational support. Working in a fast-paced environment, the Assistant Director oversees facility operations while supporting budget planning, resource management, and operational efficiency initiatives. The role contributes directly to the functionality, appearance, and long-term maintenance of campus facilities by managing priorities, coordinating services, and ensuring responsive support for operational needs. Pennington Biomedical is located within a state-of-the-art research facility which consists of 11 major buildings, including 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities, and over 750,000 square feet of working space.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Technology, Public Administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of experience in facilities operations, maintenance management, business operations, or campus/facility support services, including supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience managing facility operations in a complex, multi-building environment such as higher education, healthcare, research, industrial, or commercial facilities.
Experience overseeing operational budgets, procurement processes, contract administration, and fiscal management.
Working knowledge of Louisiana public procurement laws, including Louisiana Title 38 public bid requirements, or the ability to quickly acquire and apply such knowledge.
Experience developing technical specifications, scopes of work, bid documents, and managing vendor and contractor performance.
Proven leadership and staff management experience, including employee supervision, training, performance management, conflict resolution, and team development.
Knowledge of facility maintenance operations, preventive maintenance programs, work order systems, safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and operational demands in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

If a candidate does not meet the minimum qualifications as listed, but has significant experience within the major job responsibilities, we welcome their application.

Responsibilities

Serves as assistant to the Director of Facilities assuming administrative responsibility in the areas of operations, customer service, maintenance, property management, and equipment.
Serves as the agency property manager, responsible for all tangible non-consumable moveable property owned by the agency; maintains copies of all correspondence, transmittals, annual printouts, letters of certifications, property acquisitions, property transactions, etc.
Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for facility operations and campus support services to maintain a safe, efficient, and well-functioning campus environment.
Directs and oversees daily operations for custodial services, fleet management, warehouse operations, inventory control, residence center management, and facility support functions to ensure operational excellence and high-quality service delivery.
Collaborates with departmental leadership on budget development, financial planning, expenditure monitoring, and responsible stewardship of departmental resources.
Manages the facility work order system and coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and operational support for campus buildings, infrastructure, equipment, grounds, and property assets.
Develops technical specifications, scopes of work, and procurement documentation for contracted services, major projects, equipment, furnishings, and facility improvements.
Manages vendor and contractor relationships to ensure compliance with contract requirements, quality standards, safety expectations, and timely service delivery.
Collaborates with campus leadership, departmental stakeholders, architects, contractors, and external partners to support institutional initiatives, operational needs, facility improvements, and campus safety efforts.
Ensures compliance with applicable safety standards, risk management practices, regulatory requirements, and operational procedures, including coordination of Office of Risk Management (ORM) reporting related to theft, property loss, and operational incidents.
Provides leadership, supervision, recruitment, training, performance management, and employee development for facility operations staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, and customer service excellence.
Supports strategic planning, process improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, service delivery, and facility functionality.
Serves as a primary liaison between Facilities Management and campus departments to ensure responsive communication, coordinated support services, and effective resolution of operational issues.
Perform additional operational, administrative, and leadership responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental and institutional objectives.
Other duties as assigned.