Director of Facilities

Overview

Job Title: Director of Facility Operations

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Start Date: Immediately

Expected Salary Range: $160,000 – $190,000

Location: Friends Academy (Locust Valley, NY)

The Director of Facility Operations provides strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight of the 65-acre Friends Academy campus. This role is a vital leadership position dedicated to ensuring the physical environment serves as a premier foundation for the school's Quaker mission and educational excellence. The Director is responsible for the long-term stewardship of campus assets through data-driven planning, sustainable practices, and high-level project management.

Responsibilities

• Asset Stewardship: Develop and execute a strategic campus optimization plan that enhances the student learning environment and maximizes long-term asset value.
• Capital Planning: Lead the development of long-range master plans, conceptual designs, and capital outlay requirements to ensure the campus evolves with modern pedagogical needs.
• Infrastructure Design: Coordinate the high-level design, planning, and construction of buildings and physical infrastructure to support a diverse Pre-K through 12th-grade community.

• Predictive Operations: Utilize Brightly (CMMS) and Building Automation/Energy Management Systems for data-driven decision-making and predictive maintenance modeling.
• Financial Strategy: Develop and manage the annual operating budget, capital equipment purchases, and project budgets with a focus on strategic ROI and fiscal responsibility.
• Strategic Partnerships: Lead vendor partnership management and high-level contract negotiations to ensure the school receives superior value and service quality.
• Organizational Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison to public utility, environmental, and energy agencies to align campus operations with broader community and regulatory standards.

• Sustainability Leadership: Oversee the development of utility management and carbon footprint reduction programs.
• Land Management: Deliver excellence in landscaping, athletic field maintenance, and pesticide management to preserve the aesthetic and functional value of the 65-acre campus.

• Safety Excellence: Foster a "culture of excellence" in campus safety, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local codes (OSHA, AHERA, etc.) while exceeding standard safety protocols.
• Risk Mitigation: Serve as a core member of the Incident Command and Emergency Management Teams, ensuring long-term campus resilience.

• Culture Building: Foster a collaborative, professional environment for Facilities, Grounds, and Landscaping teams.
• Diverse Team Leadership: Directly lead and motivate diverse teams, including custodial services, skilled trades, and contracted personnel.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as a strategic resource for the Director of Finance, Operations and Strategic Projects, and maintain transparent communication with the broader school constituency.

Qualifications

• Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Management, Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Facilities, or Construction Management.
• Professional Tenure: At least 5 years of experience in facility/property management or plant engineering (preferably in an educational setting), with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Technical Mastery: Personal experience in at least two technical trades (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, or mechanical).
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of building systems, safety regulations, and environmental health issues.

• Software Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel and Word).
• Systems Management: Experience operating CMMS software (Brightly) and Building Automation/Energy Management Systems.
• Analytical Tools: Familiarity with database management, data input, and MS Project is preferred.