Director of Facilities Management and Campus Planning

The New England College • Boston, MA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) is seeking a Director of Facilities Management and Campus Planning to lead facilities operations, maintenance, safety, security, compliance, and capital construction projects across three Greater Boston locations. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership position at a small independent graduate institution. The Director is expected to be present throughout the campuses, work directly with facilities staff, troubleshoot operational issues, coordinate vendors and contractors, and drive projects to completion while balancing the needs of NECO’s academic, clinical, research, and administrative communities.

The Director oversees the approximately 60,000-square-foot Beacon Street Campus, which is an owned facility, and coordinates facilities matters at two leased clinical locations: the approximately 14,000-square-foot Commonwealth Center for Eye Care and the approximately 6,000-square-foot Roslindale Center for Eye Care. Responsibilities at Beacon Street include maintenance, operations, custodial services, event management, security, safety, compliance, and food service oversight. At the leased clinics, the Director coordinates lease-related matters, maintenance, cleaning, and security.

A major component of the role is leading substantial construction and renovation projects from initial planning and budgeting through design, bidding, construction, and completion. The Director represents NECO and works with architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, regulatory agencies, institutional leadership, and the Board of Trustees. The role is part of NECO’s essential personnel team and includes participation in 24-hour emergency response activities. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work and frequent travel among facilities are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in facilities management, campus operations, and capital project management.
• Demonstrated personal management of major renovation and construction projects, including budgeting, design coordination, bidding, contractor management, and commissioning.
• Deep technical knowledge of complex building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.
• Understanding of local and state building codes, life safety codes, environmental regulations, and historic preservation requirements.
• Financial acumen, including experience with budget development, cost control, lease negotiation, and interpreting technical and financial contracts.
• Experience using facilities systems software such as CMMS, BMS, and EMS, as well as standard productivity tools including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to shift between strategic planning and hands-on operational troubleshooting.
• Strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between local campus sites.
• Successful completion of standard background checks, including criminal history, education verification, motor vehicle record, and credit review.
• Availability to participate in emergency response, including outside normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, academic medical centers, or comparable multi-building institutional environments.
• Familiarity with academic and clinical cultures and the ability to balance the needs of faculty, researchers, clinical staff, and students.

Responsibilities

• Establish departmental goals, priorities, and budgets aligned with NECO’s institutional strategic plan.
• Lead, coach, and guide facilities staff, including the Manager of Building, Grounds & Security, the Manager of Compliance & Safety, and the Maintenance Technician, while maintaining an active presence across locations.
• Manage departmental and capital budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Direct routine, preventive, and emergency maintenance of campus buildings, grounds, and mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire/life safety, and lighting.
• Oversee facilities services to maintain a safe, clean, and functional environment while minimizing disruption to academic and clinical operations.
• Manage multi-site operations, including furniture and equipment logistics between campus sites and off-site storage.
• Oversee Beacon Street campus food service operations and implement energy conservation strategies.
• Serve as NECO’s primary liaison to regulatory agencies and municipal entities.
• Oversee external contractors, architects, engineers, and tradespeople; lead RFP development, competitive bidding, contract negotiations, and lease administration.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, ADA/accessibility standards, environmental regulations, hazardous waste management requirements, research-related compliance, and campus safety protocols.
• Lead planning, budgeting, scope development, design, and execution of major construction, infrastructure, and campus renovation initiatives from concept through closeout.
• Partner with executive leadership and the Board of Trustees on capital priorities, space utilization, and potential property acquisitions or dispositions.
• Oversee project teams, budgets, schedules, change orders, and risk mitigation to help ensure projects meet institutional standards on time and within budget.
• Participate in essential-personnel emergency response activities, including facilities, safety, security, weather-related, and other emergencies.

Benefits

• Three plan options for BCBS medical coverage
• Mental health and wellness benefits
• BCBS dental coverage
• Discounted vision services
• 13 paid holidays
• Generous paid time off for sick, vacation, and personal days
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Voluntary life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Employee discounts
• Pet insurance
• 9% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan after one year of service, with no vesting schedule or match requirement
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director