Executive Director, Physical Facilities Greater Cleveland, OH Area

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of Physical Facilities provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and operational management for the institution’s physical campus and facilities infrastructure. This position is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overall stewardship of campus buildings, grounds, utilities, and related physical assets.

The Executive Director ensures that facilities are safe, functional, sustainable, accessible, and supportive of the institution’s academic mission, student experience, research activities, and administrative operations. The position oversees facilities personnel, operating and capital budgets, preventative maintenance programs, vendor contracts, regulatory compliance, and long-term facilities planning.

Working collaboratively with executive leadership, academic departments, student services, finance, campus safety, information technology, and external partners, the Executive Director develops and implements facilities strategies that promote operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, sustainability, and the effective use of institutional resources.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Facilities Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive facilities management strategy aligned with the institution’s strategic plan, campus master plan, and long-term operational priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of facilities policies, procedures, performance standards, and service delivery objectives.
• Assess current and future facilities needs and recommend priorities for maintenance, renewal, and modernization.
• Advise senior administration on facilities conditions, infrastructure risks, deferred maintenance, and capital investment requirements.
• Establish measurable performance indicators to evaluate departmental effectiveness, service quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Facilities Operations and Maintenance

• Oversee the daily operation, maintenance, repair, and upkeep campus facilities, as applicable.
• Direct preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for buildings, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, elevators, and other critical infrastructure.
• Ensure effective operation and maintenance of campus utilities and building systems.
• Establish work order management procedures, maintenance schedules, response standards, and prioritization protocols.
• Monitor facility conditions and implement strategies to reduce equipment downtime, emergency repairs, and long-term operating costs.
• Coordinate facilities support for academic schedules, special events, commencement, summer operations, and other institutional activities.

Budget and Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets, capital budgets, and long-range facilities expenditure plans.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, energy efficiency, improved procurement practices, and more effective resource allocation.
• Monitor expenditures, approve purchases within delegated authority, and provide regular budget reports and financial forecasts.
• Develop business cases and funding recommendations for major repairs, equipment replacement, and infrastructure renewal.
• Oversee vendor agreements, service contracts, warranties, and procurement activities in accordance with institutional policies.
• Balance immediate operational needs with long-term asset preservation and financial sustainability.

Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, and Safety

• Ensure facilities operations comply with applicable building codes, fire and life safety requirements, environmental regulations, accessibility standards, occupational safety requirements, and institutional policies.
• Coordinate inspections, testing, certifications, corrective actions, and documentation required by regulatory authorities.
• Work with environmental health and safety, campus police, emergency management, and other departments to address facilities-related risks.
• Maintain emergency response procedures for utility failures, severe weather, flooding, equipment breakdowns, and other facility emergencies.
• Identify infrastructure vulnerabilities and develop risk mitigation, business continuity, and emergency preparedness plans.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Energy Management and Sustainability

• Develop and implement energy conservation, utility management, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
• Monitor utility consumption, operating costs, and building performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluate energy-efficient equipment, building automation systems, renewable energy opportunities, and sustainable maintenance practices.
• Support institutional sustainability goals and applicable environmental reporting requirements.
• Integrate lifecycle cost analysis and sustainable design principles into facilities planning and capital project decisions.

Personnel Leadership and Development

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate facilities management personnel, including maintenance, trades, grounds, custodial, building operations, and administrative staff, as assigned.
• Establish clear performance expectations, service standards, staffing priorities, and professional development objectives.
• Develop staffing plans, training programs, succession strategies, and cross-training opportunities.
• Promote teamwork, communication, accountability, customer service, and a respectful workplace.
• Provide leadership for labor-management matters involving Physical Facilities employees, including participation in labor-management discussions and administration of applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure adequate staffing and on-call coverage for emergencies and critical campus operations.

Campus Grounds, Infrastructure, and Space Management

• Oversee campus grounds, landscaping, exterior maintenance, sidewalks, parking areas, roads, signage, and related infrastructure, as assigned.
• Coordinate seasonal services, snow and ice removal, storm response, and outdoor event support.
• Support campus accessibility, appearance, functionality, and the overall quality of the campus environment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service

• Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, students, administrators, contractors, vendors, and community partners.
• Establish effective communication channels for reporting facilities issues, tracking work requests, and communicating service interruptions.
• Respond to facilities concerns promptly and professionally, balancing urgency, cost, safety, and institutional priorities.
• Participate in campus committees, planning meetings, emergency preparedness activities, and institutional initiatives as assigned.
• Provide regular reports, recommendations, and briefings to senior leadership regarding facilities performance, project status, budgets, and emerging risks.

Technology, Data, and Continuous Improvement

• Oversee the effective use of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), building automation systems, asset management tools, and facilities reporting platforms.
• Use data to evaluate maintenance trends, equipment reliability, utility consumption, work order completion, and operational performance.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support planning, budgeting, audits, regulatory compliance, and institutional reporting.
• Evaluate emerging facilities technologies and management practices that improve service delivery, efficiency, and lifecycle asset performance.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement through regular assessment, benchmarking, and process refinement.

Additional Position Information:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, engineering, construction management, or a closely related field.

Licenses/Certifications/Requirements:

Professional certification such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facility Management Professional (FMP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or a relevant engineering or construction credential strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Requires a minimum of 6 years progressively responsible experience in facilities management, physical plant operations, campus operations, building maintenance, construction, or infrastructure management.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising professional, technical, skilled trades, and/or operational personnel.
• Experience developing and managing operating budgets, capital budgets, contracts, and facilities improvement projects.
• Knowledge of building systems, preventative maintenance, construction practices, safety requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage competing priorities, solve complex operational problems, and communicate effectively with senior leadership.

•Strong organizational, analytical, project management, customer service, and decision-making skills.

• Experience working in a labor-management environment and administering applicable collective bargaining agreements where appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in facilities management, engineering, construction management, business administration, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing facilities within a college, university, healthcare, government, or similarly complex institutional environment.
• Experience with energy management, sustainability initiatives, building automation systems, and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Knowledge of applicable state and local building codes, accessibility requirements, fire and life safety standards, and environmental regulations.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and operational leadership
• Financial stewardship and budget management
• Facilities planning and asset lifecycle management
• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• Employee supervision and team development
• Customer service and stakeholder engagement
• Data-driven decision-making
• Sustainability and energy efficiency
• Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving

Leadership:

Direction of, and total responsibility for, the operations of a department or large program. Typically reports to division head with all management and/or administrative/professional personnel nominally reporting to this position for operational coordination.

Physical Requirements:

The position involves a combination of office-based administrative work and on-site campus inspections. The Executive Director may be required to walk through buildings and outdoor areas, access mechanical and utility spaces, attend construction sites, and respond to facilities emergencies outside normal business hours. Occasional evening, weekend, holiday, or on-call availability may be required to support institutional operations. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.

Working Conditions:

No major sources of working conditions discomfort, standard working environment with possible minor inconveniences due to occasional noise, crowded working conditions, minor heating/cooling or ventilation problems, and/or up to 40% use of PC terminal.

Compensation: Salary: Final compensation will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: For best consideration, apply by November 19, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Application Instructions: To apply for this position, applicants must complete the online application and attach a current resume demonstrating relevant experience and qualifications that align with the position’s responsibilities and requirements.

FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt):

United States of America (Exempt)

Union Affiliation (if applicable):

For assistance with your application or attachments, please contact the Human Resources representative listed:

Natasha Kuzmina

Email:

nkuzmina@uakron.edu

Background Check Statement

The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

State of Residence Statement

It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio.