Director of Facilities Management – Integrated Facilities / Campus Operations

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Resident District Manager (RDM) to lead a comprehensive Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) operation supporting Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial performance of all campus facilities services, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and high-performing academic environment.

As the primary executive liaison to university leadership, the RDM will partner closely with senior administrators, faculty leadership, and stakeholders to align facilities operations with institutional priorities, capital planning goals, and long-term campus strategy. This role also oversees a large, unionized workforce and a multi-million-dollar operating and capital portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior facilities leader and primary liaison to university executives and stakeholders
• Lead end-to-end Integrated Facilities Management services, including physical plant operations, custodial, grounds, EH&S, energy management, and construction/project delivery
• Oversee annual operating and capital budgets (approx. $9M ), ensuring financial accuracy, forecasting, and cost control
• Develop and execute multi-year capital planning, lifecycle asset strategies, and infrastructure investment recommendations
• Direct campus construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects from planning through completion
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies
• Manage and develop a high-performing, unionized workforce and site leadership team
• Build strong relationships with campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, and labor representatives
• Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and service delivery performance across all facility functions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 10 years of experience in Integrated Facilities Management, large-scale operations, or campus/complex site management
• Minimum 5 years in a Director-level or equivalent senior leadership role with full operational accountability
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary IFM operations (physical plant, custodial, grounds, EH&S, energy, construction)
• Demonstrated ownership of multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets, including forecasting and financial governance
• Experience working in higher education, university, or comparable complex campus environments (hospital campuses, government sites, or large institutional facilities may be considered)
• Strong executive presence with experience presenting to C-suite leaders, trustees, or senior academic leadership
• Experience leading unionized workforces and managing labor relations in a complex operational environment
• Proven ability to lead large teams, develop talent, and improve organizational performance

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in higher education facilities leadership (strongly preferred)
• Familiarity with campus capital planning, deferred maintenance programs, and sustainability initiatives
• Experience managing multi-site or enterprise-level facilities portfolios
• Strong background in construction management and infrastructure renewal programs

Key Competencies

• Executive leadership & stakeholder engagement
• Financial management & capital planning
• Integrated Facilities Management operations
• Union workforce leadership
• Strategic planning & decision-making
• Communication across executive and operational levels
• Operational excellence in complex environments

Why This Role

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape the physical environment of a prestigious academic institution. The RDM will play a critical role in advancing campus operations, sustainability initiatives, and long-term infrastructure strategy while leading a complex, mission-driven facilities organization.