Managing Director of Facilities

KIPP•Miami, FL

3h•$180,000 - $205,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Managing Director of Facilities sets the vision and multi-year facilities strategy for KIPP TEAM & Family Schools across Newark, Camden, Paterson, and Miami. The role establishes network-wide standards for safe, functional, well-maintained school buildings and develops the systems, teams, and accountability structures needed to meet them. As a member of the COO’s leadership team, the Managing Director advises network and regional leaders on how facilities support student learning, organizational growth toward 15,000 students by 2030, and long-term financial health. The position leads through Regional Facilities Managers (RFMs), directly managing those in Newark and Camden and dotted-line managing RFMs in Miami and smaller regions. It partners closely with the MD of Real Estate & Facilities, regional operations leaders, Finance, and school leaders. The role focuses on strategy, standards, capital planning, team development, stakeholder engagement, and final accountability for facilities results. The Managing Director leads large capital projects, generally valued at $100,000 to $1 million or more, and sets governance and operating frameworks for regional and smaller projects. The role owns network facilities compliance, preventive maintenance and work-order systems, facilities standards, sustainability initiatives, capital and operating budget guidance, vendor strategy, and emergency protocols. It is also the escalation point for major incidents, including potential building closures, life-safety issues, and severe weather. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Newark, NJ, Camden, NJ, or Miami, FL, with regular travel to all locations, including locations outside the employee’s area of residence. The position is an immediate opening.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in facilities management, building operations, construction or construction management, building engineering, or asset management.
At least 3 years of experience leading managers across a multi-site portfolio.
A track record of setting facilities strategy and delivering capital programs on time and on budget.
At least 5 years of experience in procurement and vendor management, including performance management and cost control.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues in plain language.
Ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and engage stakeholders in decision-making.
Deep knowledge of building systems, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and life safety; building and life-safety codes; and preventive maintenance best practices.
Knowledge of strategic and capital planning, including multi-year roadmaps and investment prioritization.
Strong financial skills, including budget development, forecasting, and cost management.
Vendor and contract management skills, including establishing performance standards and service levels.
Ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications.
Deep commitment to KIPP TEAM & Family’s mission and to the students and staff it serves.
Ability to develop people, build an accountable team culture, follow through, and maintain high standards.
Ability to think strategically and systemically while attending to detail when needed.
Ability to build trust and influence senior leaders across teams, regions, and levels.
Growth mindset, flexibility, and openness to feedback.
Availability to serve as the escalation point for major after-hours, weekend, and holiday building emergencies.
Ability to complete building walkthroughs that may include basements, crawlspaces, attics, and roofs.
Ability to travel between regions, including by personal vehicle in New Jersey and by air to Miami.

Nice To Haves

CEFM certification, or FMP, PMP, or a similar certification.
Advanced degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or project management, or equivalent experience.
Experience in education, the public sector, or a mission-driven organization.
Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, or Bluebeam; work-order (CMMS) and scheduling software; Microsoft Office; and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

Set and communicate network-wide facilities standards and a multi-year facilities strategy aligned with organizational growth, asset life, new-site readiness, sustainability, and risk.
Lead long-term capital planning, including commissioning deferred maintenance assessments every five years, incorporating capital estimates into regional financial models, and setting annual capital expenditure plans with regional operations leaders and Finance.
Use work-order data, walkthroughs, surveys, uptime, and cost information to prioritize investment and make recommendations to the COO and executive team.
Benchmark facilities performance and identify opportunities in energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings.
Lead large capital projects and collaborate on regional five-year capital strategies and annual project prioritization.
Establish capital project governance, including RFP standards, vendor selection, bid and permit review, approval gates, and status reporting.
Approve proposals for architects, engineers, and contractors on large capital projects and hold project teams accountable from planning through closeout.
Ensure capital projects anticipate school impacts, communicate them early, and include contingency plans to protect instruction.
Set the framework for RFMs to plan and manage small capital projects; review regional project portfolios for quality and consistency.
Set communication standards for large capital projects and ensure stakeholders receive regular, accurate updates on schedules, budgets, logistics, and coordination.
Define minimum standards for life safety, access control, security, building infrastructure, facilities services, and energy use.
Develop and annually improve preventive maintenance programs, work-order systems, operating manuals, building documentation, and the network compliance database.
Own network facilities compliance and ensure required inspections, certifications, testing, reporting, and emergency preparedness planning are completed.
Lead the facilities walkthrough system with the Operations Leadership team, including tool design, observer calibration, and participation in regional walkthroughs.
Advance sustainability through energy analysis, efficient fixtures and controls, eco-friendly cleaning products, and recycling.
Hire, set goals for, coach, and manage RFMs; dotted-line manage RFMs in Miami and smaller regions and support their managers with goals and development.
Clarify roles and decision rights across the facilities organization and school operations teams.
Design and deliver annual professional development for RFMs; partner with regional operations leaders on training for school facilities managers and custodial staff; and build certification pathways.
Manage RFM performance against clear metrics and address performance gaps involving staff, regions, or vendors.
Set hiring standards for school-based facilities roles, including approving job descriptions and interview processes.
Build a culture of urgency, service, excellence, ownership, accountability, and high standards across the facilities function.
Contribute to network operations strategy as a member of the COO’s leadership team and advise senior leaders on facilities issues and options.
Present facilities strategy, capital plans, and performance to the executive team and, as needed, the board.
Engage school teams in capital planning and communicate proactively about major projects.
Build external relationships with municipal officials, landlords, inspectors, vendors, and consultants.
Partner with the COO on staff survey items about facilities and use results to guide improvement.
Own the network capital budget and set network inputs and guidance for regional facilities operating budgets.
Review regional budgets and spending against plan, identify risks, and pursue savings.
Set vendor strategy, determine where network-wide contracts and joint purchasing add value, establish performance standards and service levels, and review vendor performance at least annually.
Ensure timely payment to vendors on large capital projects.
Serve as the escalation point for major facilities incidents, including potential building closures, life-safety issues, and severe weather.
Set emergency protocols and storm-preparation communications for all regions and visit sites after major storms or facilities events.