Associate Director for Operation and Maintenance

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Residential Facilities – Operations and Maintenance serves as the second-in-command to the Director of Residential Facilities, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of University Housing and dining facilities. The role supports the department’s mission by ensuring residential and dining environments are safe, functional, well-maintained, and supportive of the student experience.

Working with the Director, departmental leadership, Facilities Management, and external partners, the Associate Director translates departmental priorities into maintenance programs, capital improvements, preventative maintenance strategies, and day-to-day operational plans. The position provides leadership and professional development for maintenance, skilled trades, project, and dining technical teams, fostering safety, accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.

The Associate Director manages four direct reports within a 40-person team and leads maintenance operations for 18 residential and eight dining facilities, totaling approximately two million square feet. Responsibilities include maintenance planning and execution, project coordination, budget oversight, fleet management, regulatory compliance, and vendor and contract management. The position is designated as weather essential and participates in the departmental on-call rotation. Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and the ability to establish and maintain effective, collegial working relationships are essential job duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field from an accredited institution; additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least five years of experience in building trades, facilities maintenance, construction, or a related field.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of facility operations, maintenance planning, renovation and construction, building systems, utilities, personnel management, and budget administration.
• Working knowledge of general building maintenance and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, building automation, and fire and life safety systems.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory and safety requirements, including OSHA standards and National Fire Protection Association codes.
• Ability to evaluate facility conditions, establish maintenance priorities, and develop preventative and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, technical specifications, construction documents, and building plans.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees, establish clear expectations, and promote accountability.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, university departments, contractors, and external service providers.
• Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and ability to maintain effective, collegial working relationships.
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience supporting facilities operations within a higher education or residential housing environment.
• At least one year of experience managing maintenance programs, renovation projects, contracts, or operational budgets.
• Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook, to support daily operations and communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of University Housing and dining facilities.
• Translate departmental priorities into maintenance programs, capital improvements, preventative maintenance strategies, and day-to-day operational plans.
• Lead and support maintenance, skilled trades, project, and dining technical teams, including employee professional development.
• Manage four direct reports within a 40-person team.
• Lead maintenance operations for 18 residential and eight dining facilities totaling approximately two million square feet.
• Plan and execute maintenance work.
• Coordinate projects.
• Oversee budgets and fleet management.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and manage vendors and contracts.
• Participate in the departmental on-call rotation and fulfill weather-essential responsibilities.
• Maintain regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and effective, collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager