Widener University is currently seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Executive Director of Facilities Management and Real Estate. Reporting to the Vice President, Administration and Finance/CFO and working collaboratively with the campus community, this role provides strategic direction and operational oversight for a comprehensive facilities organization responsible for maintenance, construction, sustainability, housekeeping, environmental health and safety across Widener’s three campuses (Chester, PA, Wilmington, DE, and Harrisburg, PA) and the Taylor Arboretum.
The Executive Director will ensure that facilities operational components are performing effectively and efficiently, and aligned with the University’s mission. The successful candidate will bring innovation, best practices, and emerging trends to create an optimal campus environment that enhances the student, faculty, staff, and visitor experience.
The Executive Director will identify and implement best practices for the department and develop metrics to evaluate and manage performance as well as bringing innovation and emerging trends to the University. The Executive Director will be a leader who will work collaboratively to create exceptional customer service by all facilities staff to support our students, faculty, staff, and wider community, including campus visitors.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Strategic
- Understand the University’s vision and execute operationally in support of it.
- Work with senior management to strategically plan the capital investment.
- Develop multi-year plans for deferred maintenance and capital improvement.
- Create a project calendar to align multiple construction projects, maintenance work, and housekeeping projects with important University dates/deadlines to insure optimal project flow.
Operational
- Responsible for overall appearance and operation of the University; provide safe, attractive and high quality facilities and grounds for the campus community.
- Oversee all construction, renovations, groundwork, and aesthetics of University’s three campuses in Chester (100 acres), Wilmington (35 acres), Harrisburg (5 acres) and the Taylor Arboretum (27 acres).
- Monitor and improve work processes including work assignments, emergercy and service work, planned maintenance and special event support. Assure high operating efficiencies in the work order system for a culture of continuous improvement.
- Generate, negotiate, execute and manage contracts with external vendors, appropriately following University procurement policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate fiscal responsibility for all expenses related to maintenance, operations and utilities. Prepare and effectively manage operations and project budgets. Research discrepancies to ensure accuracy before approving payments.
- Manage purchase and disposition of properties in Widener’s real estate portfolio.
- Enforce safety work rules and procedures in accordance with OSHA regulations, EPA, PA DEP, and all applicable local, state, and federal government laws and regulations.
Administrative
- Lead, develop and supervise a total staff of approximately 30 team members.
- Prepare staffing plans. Ensure quality hires, training of personnel to departmental standards, assigning work and evaluating employees’ performance.
- Manage overall combined capital, operating and compensation budget.
- Demonstrate leadership and expertise through training, service delivery and excellence. Identify opportunities for improving department and procedures; implement improvements and conduct quality reviews periodically.
- Develop policies, plans and procedures for the effective operations of the department, including preventative maintenance planning, regulatory requirements and inspection schedules.
- Develop equipment inventory list and ensure maintenance of all departmental assets at each location.
- Collaborate with and work in an advisory capacity to senior leadership of the University to determine long-term goals, resource planning, operational expectations and best practices.
Secondary responsibilities:
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of Facilities Management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (education/training and experience required):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Facilities Management or related field.
- Seven plus years in a senior leadership role in facilities/operations management, preferably in higher education.
- Demonstrated supervisory success with skilled labor, exempt and non-exempt staff.
- Demonstrated experience in complex, multi-location organizations.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Demonstrated strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated strength in collaboration and listening skills to understand and clarify issues raised and offer solutions that meet the client’s needs.
- Commitment to achieving excellent results.
- Ability to work with and advise senior leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while adhering to deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to travel domestically (regionally).
- Strong problem solving skills, with the capacity to analyze challenges and deliver solutions.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in Business Management, Engineering or related field.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies in the areas of sustainability and environmental safety.
- Experience in higher education.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- May require significant night and weekend work.
- Ability to work behind a computer for extended periods.
- Mobility across campus buildings and between on-site and off-site facilities.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
