Posting Details

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Campus Building Services, the Assistant Director leads facilities maintenance operations at GW's Foggy Bottom Campus. The Assistant Director is responsible for day-to-day planning, organizing, and supervising building operations functions for the operation and maintenance of campus buildings in their assigned zone.

Our maintenance team includes electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers, and signshop technicians.

Facilities Maintenance

• Oversee and coordinate routine, preventative, predictive, and emergency maintenance across assigned campus buildings.
• Develop, implement, and monitor maintenance plans and schedules; evaluate work-order metrics and adjust staffing and frequencies to meet service-level objectives.
• Lead troubleshooting and technical assessments for complex building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety systems) to ensure continuity of academic, research, residential, and administrative operations.
• Manage vendor and contractor performance for maintenance, repair, and renovation projects; review invoices and authorize payments in accordance with university procedures.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and recommendations on building conditions, maintenance activities, and budget performance.

Sign Shop

• Supervise the campus Sign Shop operations, ensuring timely production, installation, and maintenance of interior and exterior signage consistent with university branding and
• accessibility standards.
• Coordinate sign requests with campus stakeholders, Facilities Planning, and Design teams; develop cost-effective solutions for wayfinding, event signage, and regulatory signage.
• Oversee inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols for sign fabrication and installation activities.
• Implement quality-control processes and training for Sign Shop staff to ensure compliance with materials, finishes, and installation standards.

Athletic Facilities

• Direct maintenance and operations for athletic facilities within the assigned zone, including courts, fields, locker rooms, and support spaces.
• Ensure athletic venues meet safety, accessibility, and performance standards for practices, competitions, and public events.
• Coordinate logistics for athletic events-facility setup, after-hours access, custodial and AV support, and vendor services-to deliver a positive experience for teams, spectators, and campus partners.
• Collaborate with Athletics, Event Services, and Campus Safety on emergency response plans, seasonal maintenance, and capital improvements for athletic assets.

Leadership, Staff Development, and Compliance

• Supervise Zone Managers and trades staff (electricians, carpenters, painters, HVAC technicians, locksmiths, plumbers); conduct performance management, training, and workforce planning.
• Promote a culture of safety and compliance with industry standards and university policies; implement injury and illness prevention practices.
• Participate in Design and Construction Standards reviews; recommend building system specifications for new construction, renovations, and repairs.
• Serve as a point of contact for building occupants; lead customer-focused service delivery and continuous improvement initiatives.

Budgeting and Planning

• Develop and manage the zone operating budget; monitor expenditures and recommend resource allocations to support operational priorities and sustainability goals.
• Prepare reports and analyses to inform strategic provisioning of internal resources and contracted services.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative and not exhaustive, and the university reserves the right to assign additional duties as necessary to meet operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of staff management experience is preferred.
• The desired ideal candidate is a proven leader with a demonstrated track record of integrity and success in prior roles, with the ability to apply sound judgment and lead a diverse group of trades staff.
• Communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collegially with all levels of the organization toward common objectives.
• Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) or Facilities Management Professional (FMA) preferred.

Personal Characteristics
• Strategic Leader - Demonstrates clear vision and the ability to translate long-term goals into practical plans that optimize operations, reliability, and asset life cycle.
• Decisive and Accountable - Makes timely, well-informed decisions and accepts responsibility for outcomes while maintaining transparency with stakeholders.
• Technically Proficient - Desired to possess strong working knowledge of building systems, maintenance best practices, and trade operations to provide credible direction and troubleshooting.
• Safety and Compliance Focused - Champions a proactive safety culture, enforces regulatory and university standards, and promotes continuous improvement in injury prevention.
• People Developer - Commits to coaching, mentoring, and developing staff through clear expectations, constructive feedback, and targeted training.
• Customer-oriented Communicator - Communicates clearly and respectfully with faculty, staff, students, and vendors to build trust, manage expectations, and deliver high-quality service.
• Collaborative and Inclusive - Fosters teamwork across diverse groups, seeks input from stakeholders, and builds consensus to achieve shared objectives.
• Resourceful and Results Driven - Balances operational demands with budgetary constraints, identifies cost-effective solutions, and drives measurable performance improvements.
• Adaptable and Resilient - Responds effectively to changing priorities, emergency situations, and evolving campus needs while maintaining composure and focus.
• High Integrity and Professionalism - Models ethical behavior, confidentiality, and respect for the university community always.

Hiring Range
$97,277.41 - $131,348.57

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:
Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:
Division of Safety and Operation

Family
Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family
Building and Facilities Management

Stream
Management

Level
Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full-Time

Hours Per Week:
40

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, with flexibility to work occasional nights and/or weekends

Will this job require the employee to work on site?
Yes

Employee Onsite Status
Essential onsite

Telework:
No

Required Background Check:
Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?
No

Posting Number:
S014273

Job Open Date:
07/02/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening
Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.