Director, Facilities Engineering & Maintenance - Facilities Planning & Management

Washington University in St. Louis

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Facilities Engineering & Maintenance provides strategic, university‑wide leadership for engineering and maintenance operations across the campus and its satellite locations. Reporting to the Executive Director of Facilities Engineering and working within the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor, the Director is accountable for the technical, financial, contractual, and performance management dimensions of facilities engineering and maintenance within a complex, decentralized environment. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and resilience of mission‑critical infrastructure while overseeing RFP development, service contract administration, procurement and policy compliance, performance reporting, and staff accountability. The Director leads with a disciplined, transparent approach to governance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, advancing a culture grounded in strong core values, collaboration, and team‑based accountability. The ideal candidate will be a licensed Mechanical Engineer with a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities engineering and maintenance leadership, demonstrating exceptional communication skills and proven success in high‑performance, mission‑driven organizations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Relevant Institution Of Similar Size And Complexity (10 Years)
• A Class E (MO) or Class D (IL) license and a good driving record are required for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree
• Professional Engineer (PE) - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
• Relevant Experience (15 Years)
• Collaborative Leadership
• Continuous Improvement Approach
• Contracts
• Executive Communications
• Facilities Development
• Facilities Operations
• Financial Acumen
• Interpersonal Communication
• Operational Plans
• Oral Communications
• Organizational Values
• Performance Leadership
• Policy Implementation
• Risk Mitigation Strategies
• Strategic Planning
• Team Accountability
• Written Communication

Responsibilities

• Leads engineering and maintenance programs supporting campus‑wide MEP, life‑safety, utilities, research, animal, and other critical facilities.
• Establishes clear performance expectations, reliability targets, and service standards for in‑house teams and contracted services.
• Ensures safe, compliant, and resilient operations through disciplined maintenance planning and operational readiness.
• Partners with Capital Projects to ensure seamless transition and integration of new assets into operations and maintenance.
• Develops, manages, and monitors operating and renewal budgets in alignment with University financial policies.
• Maintains appropriate segregation of duties, documentation, approvals, and financial controls.
• Supports audits, reviews, and institutional compliance activities related to facilities engineering and maintenance.
• Ensures staff are trained and held accountable for adherence to financial, purchasing, safety, and operational policies.
• Leads infrastructure renewal planning and risk prioritization across campus systems.
• Integrates engineering considerations into Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and Emergency Management programs.
• Serves in an incident leadership or technical advisory role during facility or utility‑related emergencies; participates in after‑action reviews and implements corrective actions.
• Leads or oversees RFPs, scopes of work, evaluation criteria, and selection processes for engineering and maintenance services.
• Manages and administers service contracts, ensuring clear scopes, performance expectations, deliverables, and compliance with University policies, laws, and regulations.
• Partners with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Risk Management on contract execution, amendments, renewals, and dispute resolution.
• Holds vendors and consultants accountable through service‑level monitoring, documented performance reviews, and corrective action processes.
• Establishes and maintains performance metrics for engineering systems, maintenance programs, vendors, and staff.
• Prepares regular reports for leadership (Executive Director, AVC, and others) including: System reliability and risk indicators, Renewal and deferred maintenance status, Vendor performance and contract compliance, Budget and cost performance.
• Uses performance data to drive continuous improvement and informed planning and investment decisions.
• Ensures staff are trained in: Contract management and RFP processes, University financial and purchasing policies, Safety, compliance, and emergency response procedures, Engineering standards and best practices.
• Promotes cross‑training and knowledge transfer to strengthen team resilience and succession planning.
• Mentors and coaches developing leaders; supports professional registration pathways and ongoing professional development.
• Serves as a technical authority for environmental, utility, and safety compliance.
• Ensures adherence to permitting requirements, audits, and inspections related to air, water, waste, and energy systems.
• Represents the University in interactions with regulatory agencies as needed.
• Leads a diverse, multi‑level team with varied technical and professional competencies.
• Fosters a culture of personal and team accountability, safety, and customer service aligned with PRIDE+ values.
• Conducts regular performance evaluations, goal setting, and development planning; addresses performance gaps through coaching, corrective action, and process improvement.
• Models a team‑based, collaborative leadership style, reinforcing shared ownership of outcomes.
• Operates as a collaborative partner across Planning, Capital Projects, EHS, Finance, Procurement, Research, and Academic leadership.
• Translates complex engineering, financial, and contractual issues into decision‑ready information for executives.
• Advises senior leadership on operational impact, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
• Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees