Executive Director of Facilities

Bennett College • Greensboro, NC

5d

About The Position

GENERAL SUMMARY: The Executive Director of Facilities provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all aspects of campus facilities, physical plant operations, capital planning, and infrastructure systems. This role is responsible for positioning the institution to effectively address deferred maintenance, capital renewal, and future growth through disciplined planning, operational excellence, and financial stewardship. The Executive Director leads facilities operations, maintenance, and capital improvement initiatives with a focus on asset lifecycle management, risk mitigation, and long-term sustainability. The position oversees a multidisciplinary facilities organization, including the Facilities Project Coordinator, and ensures that systems, staffing models, and project delivery structures are aligned to support anticipated capital investment, deferred maintenance reduction, and evolving campus needs. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Strategic Leadership & Planning Provide strategic leadership for facilities operations, maintenance, capital planning, and infrastructure management across the campus. Develop and implement short- and long-range facilities master plans aligned with institutional priorities and financial resources. Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, policies, and standard operating procedures to promote operational excellence and accountability. Advise senior leadership on facilities-related risks, opportunities, and long-term investment needs. Facilities Operations & Maintenance Oversee all aspects of physical plant operations, including buildings, grounds, utilities, and infrastructure systems. Ensure facilities meet applicable regulatory, safety, accreditation, and environmental compliance requirements. Conduct or direct routine inspections and condition assessments to maintain high standards of campus facilities. Monitor system performance and coordinate timely repairs, replacements, and upgrades. Oversee asset management, preventive maintenance programs, and work order systems. Capital Projects & Project Oversight Provide executive oversight for capital projects, renovations, and major repair initiatives from planning through completion. Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and external consultants on design, construction, and renovation projects. Ensure effective project governance, scope control, schedule adherence, and budget management. Supervise and support the Facilities Project Coordinator in tracking project timelines, documentation, reporting, and closeout activities. Budgeting, Finance & Resource Management Develop, manage, and monitor the annual Facilities budget, including operating expenses, capital allocations, and deferred maintenance funding. Oversee procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management to ensure value, quality, and compliance. Monitor utilities, energy usage, and sustainability initiatives, including cost-containment and energy-efficiency projects. Ensure effective inventory control and lifecycle planning for equipment and building systems. Personnel Management & Organizational Development Lead, supervise, and develop Facilities staff, including managers, coordinators, maintenance personnel, and support staff. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and professional development pathways. Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service. Ensure appropriate staffing models and succession planning to support operational continuity. Compliance, Safety & Emergency Management Ensure compliance with College policies related to safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness. Serve as a key member of the College’s Emergency Management Team in coordination with Campus Health & Safety. Develop and maintain emergency response procedures related to facilities and infrastructure systems. Communication & Reporting Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership detailing facilities operations, project status, financial performance, and risk indicators. Serve as a primary liaison with internal stakeholders, external agencies, and regulatory bodies on facilities-related matters. Support institutional transparency and informed decision-making through data-driven reporting. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Comprehensive knowledge of facilities management, physical plant operations, and infrastructure systems. Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including team development, performance management, and decision-making. Strong understanding of capital project delivery, construction management, and contractor oversight. Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and facilities management software. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences. Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across divisions and with external partners. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Required: Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, physical plant operations, or a related field, including supervisory responsibility. Demonstrated experience managing facilities operations, maintenance programs, and multiple concurrent projects. Knowledge of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements applicable to campus facilities. Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering (civil, mechanical, or electrical), Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Senior-level facilities leadership experience in a higher education environment. Experience with capital planning, deferred maintenance strategies, and sustainability initiatives

Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, physical plant operations, or a related field, including supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience managing facilities operations, maintenance programs, and multiple concurrent projects.
• Knowledge of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements applicable to campus facilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of facilities management, physical plant operations, and infrastructure systems.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including team development, performance management, and decision-making.
• Strong understanding of capital project delivery, construction management, and contractor oversight.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and facilities management software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across divisions and with external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering (civil, mechanical, or electrical), Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Senior-level facilities leadership experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience with capital planning, deferred maintenance strategies, and sustainability initiatives

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for facilities operations, maintenance, capital planning, and infrastructure management across the campus.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range facilities master plans aligned with institutional priorities and financial resources.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, policies, and standard operating procedures to promote operational excellence and accountability.
• Advise senior leadership on facilities-related risks, opportunities, and long-term investment needs.
• Oversee all aspects of physical plant operations, including buildings, grounds, utilities, and infrastructure systems.
• Ensure facilities meet applicable regulatory, safety, accreditation, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Conduct or direct routine inspections and condition assessments to maintain high standards of campus facilities.
• Monitor system performance and coordinate timely repairs, replacements, and upgrades.
• Oversee asset management, preventive maintenance programs, and work order systems.
• Provide executive oversight for capital projects, renovations, and major repair initiatives from planning through completion.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and external consultants on design, construction, and renovation projects.
• Ensure effective project governance, scope control, schedule adherence, and budget management.
• Supervise and support the Facilities Project Coordinator in tracking project timelines, documentation, reporting, and closeout activities.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual Facilities budget, including operating expenses, capital allocations, and deferred maintenance funding.
• Oversee procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management to ensure value, quality, and compliance.
• Monitor utilities, energy usage, and sustainability initiatives, including cost-containment and energy-efficiency projects.
• Ensure effective inventory control and lifecycle planning for equipment and building systems.
• Lead, supervise, and develop Facilities staff, including managers, coordinators, maintenance personnel, and support staff.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and professional development pathways.
• Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Ensure appropriate staffing models and succession planning to support operational continuity.
• Ensure compliance with College policies related to safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
• Serve as a key member of the College’s Emergency Management Team in coordination with Campus Health & Safety.
• Develop and maintain emergency response procedures related to facilities and infrastructure systems.
• Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership detailing facilities operations, project status, financial performance, and risk indicators.
• Serve as a primary liaison with internal stakeholders, external agencies, and regulatory bodies on facilities-related matters.
• Support institutional transparency and informed decision-making through data-driven reporting.

What This Job Offers

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