Summary
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (USML) is the principal seminary and graduate School of Theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mundelein Seminary has been one of the most extensive priesthood preparation programs in the United States since 1921, serving thirty (30) dioceses in the United States and abroad.
The Facilities Operations Director (FOD):
Provides day-to-day leadership of campus facilities operations in support of the mission of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. The FOD oversees campus maintenance, repair, and grounds operations while ensuring fiscally smart, and efficient use of resources and responsible stewardship of campus facilities.
Leads all Facilities hourly staff, including Grounds and Skilled Crafts personnel, by promoting accountability, safety, teamwork, and excellent customer service. Monitors work orders, preventive maintenance, and operational trends to improve performance and efficiency.
Plans, creates budgets, coordinates, and manages facilities projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on schedule, within budget, and according to approved standards. Works closely with campus departments, contractors, consultants, and vendors to support institutional priorities.
Build positive relationships across campus through professional communication and collaboration. Demonstrates sound judgment, a commitment to service excellence, and respect for the mission, values, and traditions of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and the Catholic Church while serving faculty, staff, seminarians, students, guests, and visitors.
Core Leadership Functions
- Prioritize facilities operations while maintaining quality, service, and budget.
- Lead and manage staff with accountability, confidentiality, and recognition of performance.
- Promote USML and Catholic Church values while supporting organizational change.
- Ensure timely work order response, quality workmanship, and clear communication with stakeholders.
- Maintain a safe workplace through regular inspections and prompt correction of hazards.
- Train employees in safe work practices, investigate accidents, and implement corrective actions.
- Provide preventive oversight of the following:
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and electrical distribution systems.
- Wastewater treatment plant, sanitary systems, and regulatory discharge compliance.
- Kitchen and dining equipment maintenance.
- Asbestos management and regulatory compliance.
- Building roofs, exterior envelope, gutters, inspections, and preventive maintenance.
- Energy systems, solar field, natural gas, water distribution, and resource conservation.
- Campus natural resources, including waterways, forestry, wildlife habitat, and grounds stewardship.
Essential Job Functions
- Lead facilities projects, including budgeting, estimating, construction oversight, and coordination.
- Oversee campus utilities, including electrical, gas, water, sewer, and solar array systems.
- Maintain physical plant records, drawings, and compliance documentation.
- Coordinate regulatory, insurance, and safety inspections.
- Maintain compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and training requirements.
- Lead, coach, and support Skilled Crafts staff and Grounds staff.
- Monitor to budget, labor, materials, productivity, and return on investment.
- Approve payroll, timecards, and leave in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
- Manage employee performance, labor relations, hiring, policy compliance, and corrective actions.
- Enforce campus safety and security standards and serve as a campus resource.
- Prioritize workload through effective delegation and accountability.
- Oversee maintenance and repair of building, mechanical, electrical, and environmental systems.
- Develop project scopes and manage budgets, schedules, quality, contractors, insurance, and payments.
- Prepare RFPs, evaluate bids, and recommend awards.
- Communicate project status, risks, and barriers.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, architectural engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Relevant military or Public Works experience in facilities, engineering, construction, public works, or installation operations may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.
- Bilingual multi-cultural Spanish/English preferred (speaking, reading, writing).
- Certification in facilities management, skilled craftsman trades, or related field, preferred.
- Minimum 7+ years of experience in facilities management, managing operations, improvement projects, maintenance, planning, project management, and environmental care of natural resources.
- Minimum 7 years’ experience leading and managing diverse employee populations required, and working with unions, strongly preferred.
- Experience with a rapid/dynamic environment; higher education settings preferred.
- Working knowledge of building systems and codes, negotiations, and contracting skills required.
- Ability to identify needed tools, methods, blueprints, and models.
- Proficient technological skills: MS Office expertise (MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams); BAS control systems; Access Controls; CAD, Mobile Devices, required.
- Working knowledge of payroll systems and timecard management, preferably UKG (Kronos).
- Valid Driver’s License Required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strategic, hands-on leader who engages, leads by example, and has the pulse of the department.
- Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Self-motivated with minimal supervision; understands priorities and delivers results.
- Customer service-focused with exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Safety-oriented with strong budget management and the ability to balance competing priorities.
- Skilled in root cause analysis before implementing corrective actions.
- Proficient with operating equipment (Skid Steer, Lull, Tractor, Backhoe, Snow Equipment, etc.).
- Demonstrated project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
- Build effective relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Experienced in OSHA compliance, safety training, and coaching employees on safe work practices.
Work Environment
- Required to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in a rotating on-call schedule with the Facilities team.
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting and collaborating with others in a Catholic, mission-centered environment.
- Oversee operations across a 1,100-acre campus, including a lake, dam, buildings, bridges, water tower, wastewater treatment plant, 27-hole golf course, woodlands, and open grounds.
- Maintain composure under pressure while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and tact.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the dignity, respect, opportunity, and inclusion of all individuals.
- Uphold and model the Mission, Vision, and Values of the University.
- Maintain a consistently neat, professional appearance.
Physical Abilities
- Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, climbing ladders, working from elevated platforms, and safely accessing rooftops, mechanical spaces, and other confined or elevated areas as required.
- Ability to routinely ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs and ladders several times daily while conducting inspections and responding to operational needs.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and around construction, maintenance, and utility operations.
- Ability to respond to emergency situations at any time, including navigating uneven terrain, rooftops, mechanical rooms, and other campus infrastructure safely and efficiently.
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, reach, and climb for extended periods throughout the workday
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Mundelein, IL 60060 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Mundelein, IL 60060: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
