Building Manager, Nicholas School of the Environment

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

95d • $59,829 - $86,700

About The Position

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.   
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Join Us at the Nicholas School of the Environment

At Duke University, we believe in bold ideas, inclusive collaboration, and meaningful impact. The Nicholas School of the Environment is seeking a Building and Laboratory Operations Manager who thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about supporting cutting-edge research and education through exceptional facilities management.

Your Role: Building and Laboratory Operations Manager

As a key member of our Operations Management Group, you will lead the planning, coordination, and oversight of building and laboratory operations across the Nicholas School’s facilities—including Grainger Hall, the A-wing of the Levine Science Research Center, and the Juli Plant Grainger Center for River Science.
You’ll work closely with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure our spaces are safe, efficient, and aligned with Duke’s sustainability and research goals.

Requirements

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving in complex environments.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead projects independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, business, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years in facilities management, ideally with lab experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental, physical, and security conditions across NSOE buildings and labs.
• Supervise the Building Coordinator and foster a proactive, service-oriented approach.
• Collaborate with Duke and external partners for maintenance, repairs, and safety compliance.
• Oversee vendor relationships, equipment procurement, and service delivery.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of research equipment and instrumentation with utilization rates.
• Work with the Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office, other relevant Duke University entities, and appropriate NSOE personnel to ensure that NSOE laboratories remain in compliance with all University and/or regulatory requirements.
• Maintain inventories of lab space utilization and report quarterly to inform space allocation.
• Develop and implement systemized procedures to assign office and laboratory spaces for staff and faculty as well as for visiting scholars, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and other non-faculty positions in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Finance, the Senior Associate Dean for Research, the Director of Faculty Affairs, and other NSOE personnel. Serve on the NSOE’s ad hoc space committee when requested.
• Maintain positive working relationships with the University’s FMD liaison and staff and coordinate infrastructure plans and issues that affect labs, offices, and community spaces including repairs, inspections, temporary shutdowns, etc. to ensure proper working conditions and minimize internal user impacts.
• Support shared instrumentation facilities and cost centers.
• Coordinate renovations, capital projects, and infrastructure improvements.
• Serve as NSOE’s representative on university-wide facilities committees.
• Chair the Nicholas School Sustainability Committee and lead annual reporting.
• Co-chair the NSOE Emergency Planning Committee.
• Lead response and recovery efforts during emergencies and extreme weather.
• Coordinate with Facilities Management and University Corporate Risk for damage assessment and insurance claims.
• Ensure lab safety compliance and foster a culture of proactive risk management.
• Oversee mail and delivery processes.
• Perform other duties that support the School’s mission and operations.

Benefits

• Duke offers comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs for eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

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