Senior Director of Facilities - Life Sciences

UG2•Boston, MA

About The Position

UG2 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Director of Facilities – Life Sciences to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a portfolio of Life Sciences accounts across Metro Boston. This role is responsible for directing the operational, technical, regulatory, and financial performance of assigned accounts while ensuring the delivery of best-in-class integrated facility management services in highly regulated laboratory and biopharma environments. The Senior Director will oversee regional engineering and operations leadership teams and will be responsible for establishing best practices, driving operational excellence, and implementing standardized operating procedures across the portfolio. This position will also play a key role in ensuring that all client facilities receive world-class maintenance support through comprehensive system assessments and the development of preventative and predictive maintenance programs. The Senior Director of Facilities will serve as the executive leader for key client relationships and will ensure that services are delivered efficiently, safely, and in a cost-effective manner while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations and contractual obligations. This position will also play a critical role in new business development, including evaluating potential new accounts, contributing to the proposal and presentation process, and leading transition efforts for newly awarded accounts. The Senior Director will report to the Regional Vice President of Engineering and will collaborate closely with multiple corporate departments including Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, and Business Development.

Requirements

Deep technical knowledge of building systems including: Mechanical Electrical Plumbing HVAC Structural systems Fire protection and life safety Building automation systems Low voltage systems Architectural and energy management systems
Strong understanding of: HVAC and Building Automation Controls (BAS/BAC) Energy Management Systems (EMS) Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
Ability to develop and present technical reports and strategic facility planning documents, including: Facility Condition Assessments (FCA) Multi-year capital planning Master facility planning Energy Conservation Measures (ECM)
Experience working in critical life sciences environments, including: Vivariums BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 laboratories
Demonstrated success managing large regional portfolios of life sciences facilities.
Oversight of complex building systems including mechanical, electrical, fire/life safety, and vertical transportation systems.
Experience leading multi-site teams responsible for plant operations, maintenance, environmental services, and security operations.
Minimum 8–10 years of progressive facilities operations leadership experience.
Active participation in new business development initiatives, including: Client presentations RFQ/RFP response development Client relationship management
Strong understanding of financial modeling and pricing structures, including: Management fee models Full P&L models Integrated Facilities Management service structures
Ability to drive organic growth and account expansion through strategic business planning.
Demonstrated success with client retention and CRM strategies.
Ability to perform labor needs assessments and staffing strategy development.
Proven ability to lead large, diverse, multi-site teams.
Strong executive presence with demonstrated success working with C-suite client stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and operational teams.
Experience managing union and non-union work environments, including multiple trade CBAs.
Ability to design and implement safety and technical training programs.
Strong financial and business acumen with deep P&L management experience.
Experience developing and managing operational budgets and capital planning initiatives.
Understanding of labor planning, staffing models, and operational cost management.
Familiarity with RFP pricing strategies and service costing models.
Flexibility in schedule and the ability to travel up to 50–75% of the time across the regional portfolio.
Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and reliable transportation.
Bachelor’s degree required in a technical field such as Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related scientific discipline.
10–15 years of relevant experience in facilities management, including leadership roles in life sciences environments.
Direct experience supporting GxP research and development laboratories within life sciences organizations or facility management service providers.
Demonstrated expertise in organizational leadership, workforce development, and performance management.
Ability to manage complex, sensitive operational challenges while maintaining strong client relationships.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local building codes and regulatory requirements.
Understanding of facility operations within accredited and regulated laboratory environments.
Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with clients, executive leadership, and technical teams.
Ability to develop, manage, and oversee large operational budgets and capital programs.
Leadership/Management: 7+ years
Facilities Management in Life Sciences Environment: 10+ years

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a portfolio of life sciences accounts across Metro Boston.
Serve as the executive technical and operational leader representing UG2 to key client stakeholders.
Lead and mentor Regional Engineering Managers and site leadership teams, ensuring alignment with UG2 operational standards.
Drive the standardization of technical programs, SOPs, MOPs, and operational protocols across the life sciences portfolio.
Oversee the implementation and performance of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and other operational technologies.
Ensure consistent operational excellence, safety compliance, and regulatory adherence across all assigned accounts.
Lead initiatives to improve efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and cost management across facilities.
Maintain executive oversight of financial performance, budgeting, and P&L management for assigned accounts.
Participate in strategic planning, growth initiatives, and portfolio expansion within the Life Sciences sector.
Provide executive leadership to ensure that all work performed across the portfolio is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable codes and regulatory requirements.
Ensure that contractual scope of services and service-level agreements are consistently achieved or exceeded.
Lead the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and methods of procedures (MOPs) for laboratory and biopharma environments.
Oversee and guide large-scale client onboarding and account transition processes for newly awarded contracts.
Support the business development team with technical expertise during client presentations, RFQ/RFP responses, and solution development.
Serve as an executive sponsor for key client relationships and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
Partner with clients on cost savings initiatives, energy efficiency programs, capital planning, and facility modernization efforts.
Review and guide engineering plans and specifications for maintenance, renovations, and capital improvement projects.
Establish standardized reporting metrics including work order completion, energy consumption, budget performance, and operational KPIs.
Ensure all facilities under management comply with federal, state, and local laws, as well as environmental and safety standards.
Provide oversight for Human Resources processes, including workforce planning, performance management, labor relations, and organizational development.
Lead and support strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects as assigned by executive leadership.