Program Manager - Environmental Services Director

NANA Regional Corporation • Bethesda, MD

34d • $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

AGL is seeking a Executive Housekeeper - Environmental Services Director to provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the comprehensive Housekeeping and Environmental Services (EVS) program across the entire research hospital campus, including clinical, research laboratory, administrative, and public areas. This role is critical to ensuring a safe, sanitary, aesthetically pleasing, and infection-free environment that supports patient healing, research integrity, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional experience for all.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Facilities Management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in environmental services/housekeeping management, with at least 7 years in a large, complex acute care hospital setting (200+ beds highly desirable).
• Proven experience managing EVS operations within a research hospital, academic medical center, or facility with significant laboratory operations is ESSENTIAL.
• Demonstrated experience managing large budgets ($5M+) and complex staffing models (100+ FTEs).
• Extensive experience with Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, CDC guidelines, and OSHA regulations.
• Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) required (or must obtain within 6-12 months of hire).
• In-depth knowledge of hospital infection control principles, disinfection protocols (including sporicidal agents), hazardous materials management, and specialized cleaning requirements for ORs, ICUs, and BSL labs.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and change management skills. Proven ability to inspire, motivate, and develop large teams.
• Strong budgeting, financial analysis, and cost-control skills.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff and leadership.
• Proficiency in EVS management software, CMMS, MS Office Suite, and data analytics tools.
• Expert understanding of the complex regulatory landscape for healthcare and research environments.
• Commitment to patient, visitor, and staff satisfaction.
• Requires significant walking, standing, and navigating a large hospital campus.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies or urgent situations 24/7.
• Work environment includes clinical areas, laboratories (may require specific PPE), and administrative offices. Exposure to chemicals, infectious agents, and noise is possible.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in unionized environments preferred.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or Training in Infection Prevention highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term planning for resource allocation, staffing models, technology adoption (e.g., UV disinfection, tracking systems), and process improvements.
• Represent EVS on critical hospital committees (Infection Prevention & Control, Environment of Care, Safety, Research Safety/Biosafety, Patient Experience, Construction Planning).
• Oversee the daily operations of all EVS functions across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, operating rooms, procedural areas, emergency department, research laboratories (requiring specialized protocols), administrative offices, public spaces, and grounds (if applicable).
• Ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality cleaning, disinfection, waste management, and linen services meeting or exceeding Joint Commission, CDC, OSHA, EPA, FDA (for device reprocessing areas if applicable), and specific research safety (e.g., NIH, BSL protocols) standards.
• Develop and manage complex staffing schedules, workflows, and productivity metrics for a large, diverse, and often unionized workforce across multiple shifts, 24/7/365.
• Implement and enforce specialized cleaning protocols for high-risk areas (Isolation Rooms, ORs, ICUs, BSL Labs, Oncology, Transplant Units).
• Serve as the primary EVS expert and partner to the Infection Prevention & Control department. Proactively identify and mitigate infection risks related to the environment.
• Ensure strict adherence to disinfection techniques, chemical dilution, contact times, and proper use of EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants.
• Oversee outbreak response and terminal cleaning procedures.
• Manage hazardous waste (biological, chemical, pharmaceutical) disposal programs in collaboration with Safety/EHS, especially critical for research labs.
• Develop, manage, and control a multi-million-dollar annual operating budget for labor, supplies, equipment, and contracts.
• Lead the RFP process, negotiate, and manage contracts with external vendors (e.g., waste disposal, linen, pest control, specialized cleaning services).
• Optimize inventory control and supply chain management for cleaning chemicals, equipment, and consumables.
• Authorize capital expenditures for equipment and technology.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, develop, and retain a high-performing team of managers, supervisors, and frontline EVS staff.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Ensure comprehensive, role-specific training programs (including onboarding, safety, infection control, research lab protocols, customer service, technical skills).
• Manage performance, conduct evaluations, address performance issues, and recognize excellence.
• Design, implement, and oversee robust quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) programs using data analytics (ATP testing, visual audits, infection rate correlation).
• Ensure continuous readiness for all regulatory and accreditation surveys (Joint Commission, CMS, CDC, State Health Dept, College of American Pathologists - CAP for labs).
• Maintain meticulous documentation of procedures, training, audits, and corrective actions.
• Analyze performance data and patient/staff satisfaction scores to drive improvement.
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with clinical leaders (Nursing, Physicians), Research Leadership/PIs, Facilities Management, Safety/EHS, Materials Management, and Administration.
• Act as the primary point of contact for EVS-related concerns, proactively addressing issues and communicating effectively.
• Champion the role of EVS in patient safety, research integrity, and the overall hospital mission.

Benefits

• The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Accommodation
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees