Director of Facilities

Title: Director of Facilities

Status: Full Time Administrator / Salaried

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Job Summary:

The Director of Facilities is responsible for overall plant facilities management and leadership of the facilities operation. The team consists primarily of the following functions; grounds, housekeeping, trades (carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC) and support staff including mailroom, administrative, mechanic, purchasing, shipping and receiving, hockey rink. This position is responsible for developing efficient work processes and providing strategic leadership to the facilities team. The Avon Old Farms campus includes a total of 800 acres including the main academic, student and residential footprint, athletic complex and fields, faculty residences and surrounding woodlands. The position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and works closely with the Head of School and other senior administrators to meet the school's overall operational needs.

1. Leadership
   1. Lead facilities staff of 35 employees. Staff departments include trades, grounds, housekeeping, and support staff (admin, purchasing, shipping and receiving, mailroom, mechanic).
   2. Develop systems which efficiently utilize appropriate team members and department resources to accomplish day to day tasks and support school events. Develop standard work practices for reoccurring work and maximize the school work order system.
   3. Provide consistent performance related feedback and clearly communicate job expectations. Support and empower supervisors so they are effective in resourcing and managing their respective teams. Establish departmental goals which team members are accountable for.
   4. Ensure compliance with all required employment, environmental, and safety related regulations.
   5. Responsible for recruitment and selection of new employees.

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1. Facilities Management:
   1. Plan, manage, and execute all activities of the Facilities Department.
   2. Maintain integrity of the school's physical assets by overseeing planning, and general maintenance and repair of the campus buildings, grounds, residences, and athletic fields. Manage and maintain all student transportation vehicles as well as manage facility department vehicles such as; trucks, tractors, gators etc.
   3. Direct staff to ensure appropriate facility set-ups for all school events (Commencement, Admissions and Development Events).
   4. Oversee building management systems.
   5. Responsible for facilities planning; including the development of a rolling multi-year capital projects plan.
   6. Hire and manage independent contractors and vendors including negotiation of contracts.
2. Strategic Planning:
   1. Translate the strategic and campus master plans of the Board of Directors into a multi-year facilities plan. Determine appropriate external partnerships to identify, plan, develop and execute against these plans.
   2. Recommend and develop operating plans to encompass new school initiatives including sustainability and energy conservation. Development of a sustainability strategy with a goal of reducing energy consumption and expenditures across a campus comprised primarily of historic buildings.

1. Construction and Project Management:

1. Joint oversight (with Chief Financial Officer) of capital projects. This includes schedule development, design, bidding/negotiation, and construction management.
2. Manage architect and contractor selection processes and relationships to ensure projects are completed with top quality workmanship as well as on schedule and on budget.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Budget management: Develops, manages, and controls the annual facilities budget of $5.3 million, including implementing new department wide bidding procedures.
2. Regulatory: Collaboration with relevant departments to implement and oversee the compliance related to Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection requirements; manages all interactions with regulatory agencies. Manage maintenance activities to ensure compliance with school safety programs, environmental management systems, asbestos management program (AHERA), lead paint regulations, confined space compliance, OSHA workplace requirements.
3. Departmental policies & processes: Development and implementation of enhanced systems and protocols. Effectively utilize School Dude to manage and resource campus facilities work orders, including preventive and routine maintenance and service requests. Develop policies and procedures to improve quality and timeliness of service in all operational areas. Be an advocate of new technology, processes and initiatives to improve the efficiency of the facilities staff and school resources.
4. Staff: Coordinates the selection, training, development and performance evaluation of supervisors and staff for a 35 member department.
5. Communication: Responsible for ensuring effective, regular communication within the school community of all maintenance, construction and related projects and issues. Demonstrate willingness to be a partner in discussions and decision making.
6. Board of Directors: Participates in Land and Facilities Committee of the Board of Directors. Ability to make presentations to Committees and to the Board of Directors as needed.

Qualifications / Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Facility Management, Business Administration, Construction Management, or related degree is strongly preferred; or an equivalent combination of work experience and training. A minimum of ten years relevant experience in a senior facilities management role in a complex multi-building campus setting like an independent school, college/university or hospital. Previous experience working with historic building is a preference.

The successful candidate has a proven ability to build professional working relationships, and a strong desire to work in a demanding boarding school environment. Previous experience in staff management, project management, using technology to support the needs of the department, and prioritizing work projects are important. Strong leadership, strategic vision, interpersonal and customer service skills are necessary to work effectively with a variety of constituents, including the Board of Direcotrs, students, faculty, staff, town officials, and neighbors.

The ideal candidate can rapidly identify and address critical facilities issues; react quickly and calmly in times of emergency, prepare and present effective written and oral reports; navigate a project from concept to completion on a timely basis, and ensure proper management and operation of the plant and to meet emergencies or special needs.