Director, Grounds Services

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

10d•$105,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Operational Leader for landscaping and grounds operations across all Arizona State University campuses, providing strategic leadership, fiscal stewardship, and risk management to ensure consistent quality, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license (minimum of Class D) upon employment and maintain throughout employment.
Post-offer of employment, the selected candidate must possess an acceptable driving record, which is 5 or fewer points in the most recent 39-month period from the date of hire.
This position requires working a rotating on-call/stand-by schedule and may be called in for emergency response, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check.
Employment is contingent upon successful passing of all background checks, including fingerprint checks.
This position is based at ASU’s Tempe campus and may require working from other campuses depending on operational needs.

Nice To Haves

Certification in grounds management, horticulture, or a related field (e.g., Certified Grounds Manager – CGM)
Master’s degree in a related discipline
Experience in: managing enterprise or multi-site grounds operations.
supporting facilities and large-scale venues
developing and managing complex budgets
Knowledge of: supporting facilities and large-scale venues
Arizona climate conditions, sustainable plant species, irrigation systems, and water conservation practices
Evidence of effective communication skills

Responsibilities

Serve as the enterprise Director for landscaping and grounds operations across all ASU campuses, providing centralized leadership, accountability, and strategic direction.
Establish and enforce university-wide standards, policies, and performance expectations for landscaping, grounds maintenance, and associated services.
Align grounds operations with ASU’s institutional priorities, sustainability goals, campus master plans, and brand standards.
Develop and implement eco-friendly, proactive landscaping and maintenance programs that align with ASU’s sustainability goals.
Develop, manage, and forecast enterprise-wide operating and capital budgets for landscaping and grounds operations.
Oversee lifecycle planning and asset management for grounds-related infrastructure, equipment, irrigation systems, and landscape assets.
Identify efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities through standardization, contract optimization, and economies of scale.
Ensure fiscal accountability, cost predictability, and responsible stewardship of university resources.
Centralize oversight of grounds-related work, assets, contracts, and service delivery models across campuses.
Standardize materials, equipment, maintenance practices, and service levels to ensure consistency and quality.
Collaborate with Facilities Development & Management, Capital Planning, and Design & Construction teams to support new construction and renovation projects.
Provide leadership for recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development of grounds and landscaping staff.
Establish enterprise-wide training, certification, and safety programs to ensure consistent competencies and awareness.
Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative team culture while developing succession plans to ensure workforce continuity.
Identify and mitigate enterprise risks related to grounds operations, including safety hazards, environmental compliance, and deferred maintenance.
Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in coordination with Environmental Health & Safety.
Coordinate emergency and weather-related response activities affecting campus grounds, landscapes, and outdoor assets.
Collaborate with university leadership and ensure campus venues meet high operational standards.
Serve as a key liaison with internal stakeholders and external vendors to align services with institutional needs.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to quality, cost, safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
Provide regular reporting to Facilities Management leadership on operational performance, risks, budgets, and improvement initiatives.

Benefits

Flexible work schedules
22 days of accrued vacation leave, 12 days of accrued sick leave and 10 paid holidays annually for all staff.
Tuition Reduction Program for staff members, their spouses, and dependents, available on day one.
12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child
Affordable benefits package including dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Retirement program designed to promote long-term savings and provide income upon retirement which includes Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
Paid time for volunteer and professional development
Wellness program for preventative health education and screenings
Disability and leave program for income protection
Free and confidential Employee Assistance services, helping to manage personal difficulties or life challenges
ASU Discounts to sports/events along with discounts with ASU partnerships