Director of Facilities - Building Maintenance

Indygo • Indianapolis, IN

10d • $100,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Facilities provides senior-level leadership for the operation, maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of IndyGo's facilities, grounds, building systems, and passenger amenities. The Director leads facilities staff, manages departmental budgets and contracts, oversees preventative and corrective maintenance, and ensures facilities are safe, reliable, compliant, and able to support uninterrupted transit operations.

While a foundational understanding of building systems and mechanical trades is necessary, the primary emphasis of this role is leadership, strategic planning, contractor and vendor management, labor relations, and administrative accountability. The Director is expected to lead through others rather than perform hands-on technical work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience leading facilities operations and maintenance in a complex, multi-site environment, including at least four (4) years managing supervisors, managers, contractors, and/or a union-represented skilled-trades workforce; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing departmental budgets and facility maintenance, repair, minor improvements, equipment replacement and contractor-managed maintenance projects.
• Experience in a public agency, transit authority, or similarly complex multi-site environment is strongly preferred.
• A valid Indiana Operator's Driver's License is required.
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
• Ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of managers and frontline staff in a unionized environment.
• Skilled at building a high-performing team culture grounded in accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to set strategic direction, translate goals into operational plans, and manage competing priorities across a complex department.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and experience partnering with the Department of People on employee relations matters.
• Ability to develop, manage, and analyze departmental budgets, and to deliver projects on established budgets and schedules.
• Skilled in procurement and contract administration, including vendor performance management.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data to drive decisions, measure performance, and identify trends.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, work order management systems, and related enterprise software platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, briefings, and presentations for leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of building systems — including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fueling and wash systems — sufficient to provide informed oversight and direction.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including EPA standards, environmental permitting, and safety compliance requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, technical manuals, and contractor work products, and to recognize when architectural or engineering expertise is required.
• Ability to define requirements and collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, consultants, and capital project managers.
• Understanding of preventive and predictive maintenance principles and work order management best practices.
• Working knowledge of safety standards related to personal protective equipment (PPE), chemical hazard management, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and general shop safety.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across departments, with contractors, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple facilities maintenance, repair, minor improvement, equipment replacement, and contractor-managed maintenance projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to evaluate risk, exercise sound judgment, and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, operational demands, and organizational needs.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in a public agency, transit authority, or similarly complex multi-site environment is strongly preferred.
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential or equivalent professional certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a multi-year facilities operations and maintenance strategy, informed by and aligned with corporation priorities, approved asset-management plan, service requirements, and available resources.
• Establishes annual departmental goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and performance benchmarks; regularly reports progress to the Deputy Chief of Fleet and Facilities and senior leadership.
• Identifies and recommends facility maintenance, repair, replacement, and operational improvement needs based on asset condition, service reliability, safety, compliance, and operational impact.
• Partners with senior leadership and other department directors to align facilities operations, maintenance priorities, and project needs with corporation-wide plans and investments.
• Contributes facility condition, maintenance history, lifecycle, cost, and operational risk information to the corporation's capital asset management planning process; translates approved asset management priorities into maintenance and repair work within the department's responsibility.
• Develops, manages, and monitors the facilities department operating and capital budgets; ensures expenditures align with approved allocations and corporation financial policies.
• Oversees the procurement and administration of vendor and contractor agreements, including scope development, bid evaluation, and performance monitoring.
• Ensures all maintenance activities, work orders, project milestones, regulatory inspections, and expenditures are accurately documented and reported.
• Prepares and presents departmental reports, briefings, and performance updates for internal stakeholders and senior leadership as required.
• Plans and manages routine facility maintenance, repairs, minor improvements, and like-for-like equipment or component replacements assigned to the Facilities Department. For capital renewal, modernization, renovation, major replacement, or construction projects. Facilities defines operational requirements and serves as the operational sponsor and subject-matter expert, while the Capital Assets and Facility Modernization Department leads project development and delivery.
• Refers capital renewal, modernization, renovation, major replacement, and construction projects — including projects requiring architectural or engineering design, formal construction administration, or specialized permitting — to the Capital Assets and Facility Modernization Department.
• Develops capital funding requests and cost information for identified facility renewal needs for consideration through the corporation's capital asset planning process.
• Provides oversight and strategic direction for the maintenance and repair of all IndyGo facilities, including administrative buildings, maintenance facilities, bus storage facilities, fueling and wash systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and grounds.
• Ensures preventive and predictive maintenance programs are in place and managed effectively through subordinate managers.
• Ensures compliance with environmental requirements applicable to facilities operations and coordinates with other responsible departments on corporation-wide environmental obligations.
• Oversees the corporation's environmental compliance program, including underground storage tanks and hazardous materials management.
• Ensures the work order management system is maintained accurately and that data is used to inform maintenance prioritization and resource planning.
• Establishes and enforces departmental policies and procedures related to safety, scheduling, work performance standards, and personnel conduct.
• Directly supervises Facilities Managers and provides indirect leadership to union-represented maintenance and trades staff.
• Establishes clear performance expectations for all direct reports; conducts performance evaluations, provides ongoing coaching and development, and manages performance concerns in accordance with IndyGo policy.
• Manages labor relations in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA), including work assignments, grievance response, and coordination with the Department of People.
• Leads recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention efforts for departmental staff in partnership with the Department of People.
• Cultivates a departmental culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Oversees the evaluation, maintenance, and repair of passenger amenities such as BRT stations, bus stops, shelters, signage, and bike racks throughout the transit network. Coordinates with responsible service planning and capital project functions regarding the placement and installation of passenger amenities.
• Serves as the departmental liaison to other IndyGo divisions requiring facilities support, including coordinating access, operational requirements, shutdowns, staff support, commissioning, turnover, and transition to ongoing maintenance.
• Coordinates emergency response planning and on-call coverage for facilities-related incidents, including utility failures, weather emergencies, and after-hours situations.
• Provides support to other IndyGo departments on activities involving specific facilities or facilities personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned in alignment with IndyGo's strategic goals.
• Establishing clear performance standards, goals, and accountability measures for all direct reports.
• Conducting formal performance evaluations and providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Leading or participating in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of departmental personnel.
• Managing employee relations matters, addressing complaints, and resolving personnel issues in accordance with IndyGo policy and applicable law.
• Administering labor agreements governing union-represented staff, including work scheduling, grievance response, and coordination with the Department of People and Labor Relations.
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable employment laws, IndyGo organizational policies, and collective bargaining agreement provisions.

Benefits

• Voluntary medical, dental, and vision coverage (effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment)
• On-site wellness clinic for employees and their families
• Retirement plans (401A and 457B)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free IndyGo transportation for employees and their families
• Eligibility for the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

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