Director Campus Facilities

Position Summary

The Director of Campus Facilities is responsible for the leadership, daily operations, and overall stewardship of all physical facilities on The Fessenden School’s 41-acre PK–Grade 9 independent school campus that includes academic buildings, athletic facilities, student residences, and 37 on-campus faculty and staff apartments and houses. This role ensures that maintenance, custodial services, groundskeeping, physical plant operations, construction management, and security are well managed and positioned to ensure a safe, sustainable, and mission-aligned environment for day students, faculty, families, and visitors. 

The Campus Facilities Director, reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, serves as both a hands-on operational manager and a strategic partner in campus planning, sustainability, and capital project development.

The ideal candidate is a collaborator with strong technical expertise and project management experience who wants to be both hands-on and a strategic leader.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Campus Operations & Maintenance

• Oversee all aspects of maintenance, repair, and operation of academic, residential, athletic, and administrative facilities, as well as mechanical systems, grounds, vehicle fleet, and infrastructure.
• Maintain a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to prioritize, manage, track daily work tickets, and make strategic decisions.
• Manage preventive maintenance and repair schedules to ensure campus assets are well-maintained and fully operational.
• Manage schedule and work for outside vendors, including custodial service, landscaping, pest control, waste management, and MEP contractors.
• Coordinate with event managers to ensure facility, security, and parking needs are met before, during, and post events.
• Oversee snow removal program to ensure that campus remains safe and operational for a residential community and is able to remain open/reopen for normal operations as weather allows.
• Participate in the on-call coverage schedule for after-hours and weekend/holiday emergencies.

Personnel and Team Management

• Direct the daily work of 9 maintenance and grounds team members, fostering a culture of teamwork, quality control, accountability, and efficiency.
• Manage the workload of the team, assigning daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks for routine operations, special events, and emergencies.
• Onboard new staff, supervise and train personnel on safety protocols, and promote ongoing professional development.

Campus Planning & Sustainability

• In partnership with the COO and school leadership, develop long-range facility renovation and expansion plans aligned with the school’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate with contractors, architects, and engineers in design and construction phases, ensuring quality, cost control, and compliance with all applicable codes.
• Develop and implement sustainability practices in energy use, waste management, and water conservation.
• Advance initiatives in energy planning that enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen resilience in a cost-effective manner.

Safety and Compliance 

• Ensure full compliance with all building codes, required inspections, environmental regulations, and safety standards. Maintain up-to-date records of permits, warranties, inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Lead and coordinate fire safety, emergency preparedness, and environmental health programs. 
• Maintain strong relationships with local officials, inspectors, and emergency personnel.
• Work with the security team to coordinate campus safety and emergency preparedness, including safety drills and staff training. Participate as an active member of the school’s Safety Committee.
• Conduct safety checks and ensure fire exits and emergency systems are functional
• Coordinate with the IT Department to oversee access control and video surveillance systems.

Financial Management & Administration

• Develop, monitor, and manage the Buildings and Grounds Department operating budget.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operations Officer to build an annual and long-term capital budget.
• Oversee vendor selection and negotiate and manage contracts for facilities-related services (e.g., HVAC, landscaping, pest control, waste management).

Qualifications and Characteristics

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive facilities leadership experience, preferably in a campus-based environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, managing complex facilities operations, budget management, project management, and vendor oversight.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, building automation, and life safety systems.
• Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental compliance.
• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Background check clearance for CORI, SORI, national fingerprinting, and DMV.
• Post offer pre-employment physical testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or degree in facilities management, engineering, construction management, or a related field required and/or certification in Facilities Management (CFM) or similar credential.
• Experience with sustainability initiatives and energy efficiency programs.
• Experience working in both residential and commercial environments.
• Familiarity with independent school or college campuses.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $135,000 - $160,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to regularly walk the 41-acre campus in varying weather conditions.
• Frequent lifting (up to 50 lbs), use of ladders, crawling, twisting, turning, and reaching to access various spaces and complete a variety of job duties.
• Ability to work in hot or cold conditions for extended periods of time.
• Availability for evening and weekend hours as necessary and for on-call emergency response outside normal working hours.
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Interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references on Fessenden's Career Page.