Senior Director of Facilities

General Job Brief

Arizona Christian University seeks a dedicated and skilled Senior Director of Facilities to oversee the management and maintenance of our 550,000 sq. ft. campus, including all buildings, athletic fields, landscaping, housekeeping and student food services. This role is essential to ensuring the campus environment is safe, functional, sustainable, and aligned with the universitys mission of providing a high-quality learning and living space for students, faculty, and staff. This position requires the handling of sensitive and confidential information with discretion, integrity, and professionalism.

This role requires a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the unique Christian mission and vision of ACU to Transform Culture with Truth, and the ability to advance that mission and vision through classroom instruction and person-to-person mentorship and discipleship.

Primary Duties, Tasks, Responsibilities:

Facilities Operations and Strategic Planning:

• Oversee daily operations and maintenance of all campus facilities, including buildings, athletic fields, landscaping, and common areas.
• Develop and implement a strategic facilities plan in alignment with the universitys mission, including campus growth, renovations, and improvements.
• Establish goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for facilities operations, using data-driven insights to improve efficiency and service quality.

Sustainability and Energy Management:

• Lead initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, identifying opportunities to reduce the university's carbon footprint.
• Manage waste reduction programs and promote environmentally friendly practices in maintenance and operations.
• Collaborate with vendors to incorporate sustainable materials and practices in all campus projects.

Third-Party Food Service Vendor Oversight:

• Manage the food services vendor relationship, ensuring adherence to budget, quality standards, and contract terms.
• Monitor food quality, service efficiency, and the cleanliness of food serving and eating areas, collaborating with the vendor to address any issues.
• Conduct regular reviews of vendor performance to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Maintenance, Cleaning, and Grounds keeping:

• Oversee and optimize routine and preventative maintenance schedules for all campus facilities, ensuring all buildings and grounds are safe and operational.
• Manage cleaning operations to maintain high standards of cleanliness and sanitation across all university spaces.
• Ensure athletic fields and landscaping are well-maintained and meet the aesthetic and functional standards of the campus community.

Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management:

• In coordination with the Vice President of Administration & General Counsel and Director of Campus Safety, develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, including evacuation procedures and disaster response protocols for the facilities team.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, proactively identifying and mitigating risks on campus.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during facility-related emergencies, coordinating response efforts and communication.

Vendor and Contractor Management:

• Negotiate, manage, and evaluate vendors and contractors for services including landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and custodial services.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure competitive pricing, quality work, and timely delivery of services.
• Regularly assess contractor performance and hold vendors accountable to contract terms and quality standards.

Budget and Record Management:

• Develop and manage the facilities department budget, ensuring efficient use of resources while staying within financial constraints.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities, vendor contracts, inspections, compliance documentation, and other relevant facilities information.
• Prepare and present regular reports to university leadership on facilities operations, budget status, and performance metrics.

Leadership, Staff Development, and Team Collaboration:

• Lead and develop a team of facilities and maintenance staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to staff to enhance their skills and performance, keeping the team updated on best practices in facilities management.
• Work closely with other campus departments to support their needs and contribute to a cohesive, mission-driven university environment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Collaboration, confidentiality and integrity are critical to success in this role. Completing other duties and tasks with utmost integrity and professionalism, as directed and not necessarily mentioned in this description, will be expected.

• Commitment to the Universitys faith statement, mission, and purposes; and an active Christian faith
• Comfort and familiarity with the practice of praying with and for others, including students, faculty, and fellow University staff
• The ability to meaningfully support and encourage students, faculty, and staff from a biblical worldview perspective, using relevant and applicable references from the Old and New Testaments and orthodox Christian writings

Ability and Skills (Classification is typically expected to possess or show potential of satisfactory development when placed in the job.)

• Able to review and understand contracts
• Adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Able to organize and prioritize work; high attention to detail and accuracy; highly organized; multi-tasking is a must
• Able to review operations for efficiencies; make suggestions for improvements
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrating exceptional professionalism and customer service with a servant heart
• Ability to effectively communicate with others and to work harmoniously with related personnel, including writing, speaking, and proofreading skills
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google mail

Fair Labor Standards Act

This position is full-time, exempt for overtime pay provisions as provided by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and any applicable state laws.

Education and Experience (Classification is typically expected to possess.)

• Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in business administration or related field
• Graduate degree (or equivalent) preferred
• Experience in developing budgets and business plans
• Prior experience managing personnel
• Superior negotiation skills for both internal and external purposes

Knowledge (Classification is typically expected to possess.)

• Excellent ability to manage personnel/vendor relationships and implement policies and procedures set forth by the University
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Must demonstrate a high level of understanding of project management, budgeting, and relationship management.
• Experience with industrial or institutional facilities management
• Experience with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems a plus