Director, Facilities Engineering & Maintenance - OFMD

Washington University in St. Louis • Hanover County, VA

1d

About The Position

The Operations & Facilities Management Department (OFMD) at WashU Medicine provides essential services that sustain the medical campus’ mission of excellence in patient care, research, and education. Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence, and Mutual Support, we foster a culture of accountability, service, and collaboration across the medical campus. OFMD manages the maintenance and operation of more than 65 buildings, encompassing over 14.8 million gross square feet, including the 11-story, 609,000-square-foot Neuroscience Research Building (NRB), home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of neuroscientists. Our team delivers operational and administrative support, strategic planning, and project management to ensure efficient, safe, and innovative facility operations. As WashU Medicine continues to expand its clinical, research, and teaching footprint across and beyond campus, OFMD remains a trusted partner, driving excellence through seamless facility management and unwavering support of the university’s mission. For additional information, view a quick message from some of our employees: https://facilities.med.wustl.edu/Careers. Provides strategic leadership for engineering and maintenance operations across the campus and its satellite locations. Works within the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor, accountable for the technical, financial, contractual, and performance management dimensions of facilities engineering and maintenance within a complex, decentralized environment. 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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Education: M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: Professional Engineer (PE) - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
• Work Experience: Relevant Experience (15 Years)
• Skills: Business Continuity, Collaborative Leadership, Continuous Improvement Approach, Contracts, Emergency Management, Executive Communications, Facilities Engineering, Financial Acumen, Financial Stewardship, Interpersonal Communication, Maintenance Management, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Plans, Oral Communications, Organizational Values, Performance Leadership, Policy Compliance, Policy Implementation, Request for Proposals (RFP) Development, Risk Mitigation Strategies, Strategic Planning, Strive for Excellence, Team Accountability, Vendor Oversight, Written Communication

Responsibilities

• Engineering, Maintenance & Operational Leadership 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.
• Financial Stewardship & Policy Compliance Develops, manages, and monitors operating and renewal budgets in alignment with the University's 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.
• Renewal, Risk, Business Continuity & Emergency Management 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.
• Procurement, RFPs & Contract Management 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.
• Performance Management, Reporting & Transparency 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; and budget and cost performance. Uses performance data to drive continuous improvement and inform planning and investment decisions.
• Training, Knowledge Transfer & Capability Building Ensures staff is trained in: contract management and RFP processes; University financial and purchasing policies; safety, compliance, and emergency response procedures; and engineering standards and best practices. Promotes cross‑training and knowledge transfer to strengthen team resilience and succession planning. Mentors and coaches developing leaders; support professional registration pathways and ongoing professional development.
• Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Risk Management 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.
• People Leadership, Culture & Accountability 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.
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Organizational Leadership 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

• Personal 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 Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• Family 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