Managing Director of Facilities

KIPP • Newark, NJ

3h • $180,000 - $205,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Managing Director of Facilities (MDF) sets the vision and multi-year facilities strategy across KIPP Team & Family schools in Newark, Camden, Paterson, and Miami. The MDF establishes network-wide standards for safe, functional, welcoming school buildings, builds the systems and team needed to meet those standards, and holds the organization accountable for results. As a member of the COO’s leadership team, the MDF advises network and regional leaders on facilities’ support for student learning, growth toward 15,000 students by 2030, and long-term financial health.

The MDF leads through Regional Facilities Managers (RFMs), directly managing the Newark and Camden RFMs and dotted-line managing RFMs in Miami and smaller regions. The role works closely with the MD of Real Estate & Facilities, regional operations leaders, Finance, and school leaders. The MDF’s focus includes strategy, standards, capital planning, team development, stakeholder engagement, network compliance, financial stewardship, vendor strategy, and emergency leadership. The MDF leads large capital projects, generally $100,000 to $1 million or more, while the Real Estate team owns complex, multi-trade projects such as building additions and major reconfigurations.

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Newark, NJ, Camden, NJ, or Miami, FL, with regular travel to all locations. The position may require evening, weekend, and holiday work during emergencies and serves as the escalation point for major building incidents.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in facilities management, building operations, construction or construction management, building engineering, or asset management, including at least 3 years leading managers across a multi-site portfolio.
• 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 practices.
• Strategic and capital planning skills, including multi-year roadmaps and investment prioritization.
• Strong financial skills, including budget development, forecasting, and cost management.
• Vendor and contract management skills, including setting performance standards and service levels.
• Ability to read and interpret building plans and specifications.
• Deep commitment to KIPP Team & Family’s mission and the students and staff it serves.
• Ability to develop people, build team accountability and high standards, follow through, think strategically and systematically, and engage with details 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, including basements, crawlspaces, attics, and roofs.
• Ability to travel between regions, by personal vehicle in New Jersey and by air to Miami.

Nice To Haves

• CEFM certification, or FMP, PMP, or 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 a network-wide standard of excellence for facilities across regions and schools.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year facilities strategy aligned with the 2030 plan, including asset life, growth and new-site readiness, sustainability, and risk.
• Lead long-term capital planning, commission deferred maintenance assessments every five years, incorporate capital estimates into regional long-term financial models, and set annual CapEx plans with regional operations leaders and Finance.
• Use ticket, walkthrough, survey, uptime, and cost data to prioritize investments and make recommendations to the COO and executive team.
• Benchmark facilities practices against peer networks and industry standards, identifying opportunities in energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings.
• Lead large CapEx projects, establish five-year regional CapEx strategies, and recommend annual project priorities.
• Establish CapEx governance, including RFP standards, vendor selection, bid and permit review, approval gates, and status reporting.
• Approve proposals for architects, engineers, and contractors on large CapEx projects, and hold project teams accountable from planning through closeout.
• Ensure large capital projects anticipate and communicate school impacts and have contingency plans to protect instruction.
• Set the framework for RFMs to plan and manage small CapEx projects under $100,000, and review regional project portfolios for quality and consistency.
• Engage technical experts as needed for strategic repairs and set standards for communications and regular project updates to school, regional, Finance, and executive stakeholders.
• Define minimum standards for life safety, access control, security, building infrastructure, facilities services, and energy use.
• Build and annually improve scalable facilities systems, including preventive maintenance, work orders, operating manuals, building documentation, and a network compliance database.
• Own the network compliance strategy for required inspections, certifications, testing, reporting, and emergency preparedness planning.
• 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 among the MDF, RFMs, School Facilities Managers, and school operations teams.
• Design and deliver annual professional development for RFMs; coordinate training for SFMs and custodial staff; and build certification pathways.
• Manage RFM performance using 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 facilities culture of urgency, service, excellence, ownership, accountability, and high standards.
• Serve on the COO’s leadership team and advise the COO, MD of Real Estate & Facilities, regional operations leaders, and school leaders on facilities matters and network operations strategy.
• Present facilities strategy, capital plans, and performance to the executive team and, as needed, the board.
• Engage school teams in capital planning, communicate proactively about major projects, and 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 drive improvement.
• Own the network CapEx budget and provide network inputs and guidance for regional operating budgets; review spending, flag risks, and identify savings.
• Set vendor strategy, service standards, and performance expectations; assess vendor performance at least annually and ensure timely payment for large CapEx projects.
• Serve as the escalation point for major incidents, set emergency and storm-preparation protocols and communications, and visit sites after major storms or facilities events.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• KTAF 403b retirement plan with matching contributions.
• Generous time-off policy.
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave for primary caregivers.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Optional short-term and long-term disability, accident, and hospital indemnity benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed