Title: Director of Facilities
Executive Area: Academic Affairs
College/School/MBU: Humanities & Fine Arts
Department: Dean - Humanities & Fine Arts
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Full Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Job Summary
The Director of Facilities for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) is responsible for daily functions related to project management and facility operations of HFA, including the main building South College and for various facilities that house HFA departments and programs in buildings across campus. The position will heavily rely on multi-faceted communications to coordinate resources, expertise and services efficiently and effectively to continuously support a complex research, teaching and outreach operation. The Director works closely with the Associate Dean of Administration, Finance and Operations in developing, planning, designing and executing projects in partnership with the University’s various departments including Design and Construction Management, Physical Plant, Environmental Health and Safety, and Disability Services to insure the safe, efficient, and effective operation of all HFA departmental, programmatic, office and classroom spaces on the Amherst campus.
Essential Functions
Provides planning, project management, leadership, and support for HFA Dean’s Office priority projects and initiatives, including new construction or renovation, facilities maintenance and repair, and operations of HFA buildings. Directs efforts to align with evolving priorities. Project budgets may range from $2,000 to over $1 million, depending on the scope and nature of the project.
Coordinates work performed by Physical Plant, Design & Construction Management, and outside contractors on behalf of the College, managing follow-through on critical action items and ensuring projects are completed within established timelines, scope, and budget.
Prepares and submits recommendations related to maintenance and facility operations. Negotiates costs with Facilities and Campus Services, oversees expenditures to ensure alignment with budget parameters, monitors work requests and change orders, and consults with university offices regarding routine and special maintenance projects.
Represents the interests of the College’s faculty, staff, and students by developing and maintaining strong partnerships with the University’s Physical Plant to address operational needs, troubleshoot issues, and resolve facility concerns in a timely manner.
Serves as the primary College contact for Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). Responds to emergencies and coordinates facility-related issues such as leaks, flooding, and other urgent concerns. Consults with university personnel to determine and implement appropriate solutions and proactively identifies and mitigates safety hazards, including those in laboratory settings.
Purchases and oversees the maintenance and repair of equipment acquired by the College. Assists department staff with troubleshooting equipment-related issues and receives orders and deliveries for the HFA Dean’s Office.
Coordinates with HFA EDS staff to purchase, maintain, and repair equipment acquired by the College. Assists department staff with troubleshooting equipment-related issues and receives orders and deliveries for the HFA Dean’s Office.
Manages and prepares reviews of capital requests and the ongoing capital budget. Maintains an inventory of equipment and develops long-range equipment replacement plans.
Provides indirect oversight of facility and operational coordination activities carried out by departmental Facility Coordinators. Completes the annual space survey for the HFA Dean’s Office and reviews and finalizes departmental submissions in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Administration, Finance & Operations.
Manages all access requests and reviews, including swipe cards, keys, and other security-related matters. Serves as the primary contact for telecommunications and acts as the College’s TUG representative.
Represents the Associate Dean and the College with a high degree of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, tact, and sound judgment. Attends facility-related meetings and serves as a key representative for College operational and facilities matters.
Other Functions
Operates with a high degree of independence, initiative, and creativity in carrying out responsibilities and advancing projects and priorities.
Works collaboratively and effectively with colleagues to foster teamwork and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Partners with colleagues throughout HFA and across the University to advance and support the Dean’s strategic priorities and initiatives.
Performs other duties as assigned or required in support of the mission, goals, and objectives of the Department, College, and University.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three (3) years of experience coordinating building maintenance, new construction, or renovation projects; or an Associate’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience coordinating building maintenance, new construction, or renovation projects.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Demonstrated experience independently prioritizing, planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing multiple concurrent projects and complex initiatives, including advancing strategic priorities and successfully driving a high volume of work to completion.
Demonstrated project management experience with a record of achieving results, along with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating effectively with diverse faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders and building collaborative working relationships across organizational units.
Demonstrated experience coordinating the work of staff, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders, including identifying potential issues, developing solutions, and ensuring timely project completion.
Demonstrated sound judgment and experience handling sensitive or confidential information with discretion, including maintaining appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets and monitoring expenditures to ensure effective use of resources.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in higher education environment.
Familiarity with a wide variety of equipment used in the arts and sciences.
Additional Details
Reports directly to the Associate Dean for Administration, Finance and Operations but is expected to exercise considerable autonomy and independence in carrying out duties with minimal supervision.
Working Conditions
Work is primarily performed in an indoor university environment and involves lifting and transporting materials or equipment and general physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking, or assuming low postures.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 27
Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
