DIRECTOR, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute•San Diego, CA

6d•$170,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Burnham Prebys is much more than a research facility and hub for innovation; it’s a vibrant global community of talented scientists and researchers from over 30 countries. This worldwide representation enriches our perspectives and enhances our creative approach to solving complex scientific challenges. We strive to be leaders not only in biomedical research but also in creating an environment where excellence thrives through collaboration across cultures and backgrounds. Our mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and make breakthrough discoveries that improve human health. Together, we translate science into health. The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary. Position Summary: The Director of Facilities provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Institute’s campus facilities and infrastructure. The role is responsible for campus master planning; capital, renovation, and deferred maintenance programs; facilities operations (including preventive maintenance and work order/service delivery processes); and vendor-managed services that support research continuity, life safety, and compliance. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team and coordinates closely with research and administrative stakeholders to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and responsive facilities services across the campus

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preference for business, architecture, urban planning, civil/electrical engineering, construction technology, or related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in campus/facilities planning, including master planning and capital project planning.
Minimum 5 years supervising construction, maintenance, and repair of large buildings, including budget preparation and control.
Minimum 5 years in a management role.
Demonstrated experience overseeing building operations through managers/teams and vendors, including preventive maintenance programs and work order/service delivery processes.
Demonstrated experience managing vendor contracts and performance, including service levels, safety requirements, and compliance.
Knowledge of facilities administration and people management (e.g., supervision, interviewing/selection, discipline, training, performance management).
Working knowledge of engineering fundamentals relevant to building systems and utilities; and methods, materials, equipment, and practices used in facilities maintenance and construction trades.
Knowledge of applicable building codes and regulations; safety standards; ADA requirements; fire prevention/response; disaster preparedness; and relevant health and environmental requirements (including waste stream management and laboratory hazardous waste considerations).
Knowledge of contracting and vendor management, including bid specifications and contract award processes; and purchasing/bid procedure rules as applicable.
Budgeting, capital program development, and financial analysis capability.
Proficiency with common facilities and maintenance management tools and standard business software applications.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and prioritize facilities demands in a research environment with competing time-sensitive needs.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, interpersonal, and customer-service skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Familiarity with sustainability principles and practices in building operations; and understanding of lab operations and set-up considerations.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications (e.g., IFMA CFM/FMP, ASHE, PMP, or similar) are a plus

Responsibilities

Lead the Facilities function by establishing a collaborative, service-oriented culture aligned with the Institute’s mission and core values.
Build and maintain an effective organizational structure; identify staffing needs; hire, supervise, evaluate, and develop staff; and ensure appropriate training, safety expectations, and performance standards for employees and contractors.
Allocate personnel and resources to optimize departmental effectiveness, responsiveness, and customer service.
Develop, recommend, and execute annual and long-range plans for campus master planning, capital improvements, major repairs, renovations, new construction, landscape initiatives, and deferred maintenance to preserve and enhance the campus environment and functionality.
Partner with Institute leadership and stakeholders to anticipate future research plans and space needs; translate program objectives into facilities and infrastructure plans.
Define project scopes; develop project plans, schedules, and budgets; and manage delivery to achieve cost, schedule, and quality objectives.
Develop and oversee bid specifications, procurement support, and contract awards for maintenance and construction projects.
Manage architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors to ensure compliance with contract requirements, budgets, schedules, and applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
Ensure day-to-day operational readiness and reliability of core building systems and utilities (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety) through appropriate staffing/vendor coverage, preventive maintenance execution, and timely resolution of service disruptions.
Establish and govern service delivery standards and performance measures (e.g., work order response times, preventive maintenance completion, customer service, and system reliability); monitor results and implement corrective actions as needed.
Oversee managers who execute work request intake, triage, prioritization, and stakeholder communications to balance competing priorities and minimize disruption to scientific operations.
Direct preventive maintenance and inspection programs, reporting, data quality, and continuous improvement.
Maintain asset stewardship practices (documentation, lifecycle planning, replacement planning, and deferred maintenance tracking) to support sustainability and long-range capital planning.
Oversee facilities operational purchasing, supplies/equipment acquisition, and inventory control.
Negotiate, manage, and oversee facilities service contracts and vendors (including service levels/SLAs); evaluate performance; ensure scope, quality, safety, and compliance requirements are met; and approve change orders within delegated authority.
Standardize vendor onboarding and oversight practices (e.g., insurance/credentialing verification, safety orientation expectations, site access controls) in coordination with HR, EHS, and Procurement.
Serve as liaison with federal, state, and local entities as needed regarding facilities operations, maintenance, and environmental impact.
Ensure facilities operations and projects comply with applicable health, safety, accessibility (ADA), environmental, and regulatory requirements; partner with EHS to implement risk controls and address audit/inspection findings.
Establish routine operational inspections and quality reviews to verify compliance, operational effectiveness, and consistent service delivery.
Lead assessment and continuous improvement of the campus security function (in coordination with relevant stakeholders).
Lead facilities-related emergency preparedness and response for events such as utility interruptions and major system failures; participate in institutional emergency management and business continuity planning; and implement post-incident corrective and preventive actions.
Develop and manage the department’s annual operating budget; analyze financial and operational data; and authorize expenditures in accordance with Institute policies and delegated authority.
Support development of fiscal policies, procedures, and programs; advise executive leadership of unusual trends or issues and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Perform other related tasks, duties and responsibilities as required, assigned or directed.