Senior Director, Operations and Infrastructure

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Senior Director, Operations and Infrastructure - Boca Raton, FL.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, the Senior Director of Facilities Operations and Infrastructure is a senior administrative leader responsible for overseeing comprehensive facilities operations across all campuses of Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

This role provides strategic and operational leadership in building operations and maintenance, deferred maintenance, engineering, utilities, custodial services, managed grounds, warehouse operations, and the work-control center. The Senior Director ensures that all facilities-related services align with and support the University's mission while maintaining high standards for safety, sustainability, responsiveness, and operational efficiency.

A key contributor to institutional planning, budgeting, capital renewal, and emergency preparedness, the Senior Director collaborates closely with academic, research, and administrative divisions. This position is considered essential personnel and plays a central leadership role during campus emergencies, infrastructure failures, or other critical incidents. This position manages both administrative and “in the field” activities in a multi-campus environment. 

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Provide leadership for Engineering & Utilities, Physical Plant Services, Warehouse Operations, and Work Control.

• Supervise associate directors and management staff across functional units and campuses.

• Foster leadership development and succession planning within direct reporting units.

• Represent the department on internal and state-level committees.

• Promote a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Contribute to institutional strategic planning efforts by aligning facilities operations with university growth, sustainability goals, and space utilization initiatives. Serve as a key advisor on infrastructure investment, energy stewardship, and long-term service delivery models.

Facilities Operations and Infrastructure Oversight

• Provide oversight of all campus infrastructure and building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural, utility plants, and distribution networks across FAU campuses.

• Lead the alignment and execution of preventive and deferred maintenance programs across units, leveraging CMMS platforms (e.g., FAMIS) and asset performance data to guide lifecycle planning and operational readiness.

• Guide utility planning efforts involving chilled water, steam, electrical distribution, domestic water, and wastewater systems, ensuring operational resilience and continuity.

• Oversee the development and application of operational policies and procedures that align with safety codes, environmental regulations, and institutional expectations.

• Champion infrastructure optimization, energy efficiency initiatives, and capital renewal strategies in collaboration with Facilities leadership and planning teams.

Oversight of Major Contracted Operational Services

• Provide oversight for custodial and groundskeeping operations delivered through a hybrid model of in-house staff and major contracted service providers.

• Ensure alignment of appearance, sanitation, environmental care, and safety standards with institutional expectations.

• Monitor vendor performance, contract compliance, and service-level outcomes.

• Collaborate with the Facilities Management Business Office and operational leads to ensure quality assurance, continuous improvement, and fiscal responsibility.

Warehouse & Work Control Operations

• Oversee warehouse operations to ensure inventory, supplies, and materials are available to support facilities operations and utility delivery in coordination with the FM Business Office and facilities leadership.

• Provide strategic oversight of the Work Control Center and CMMS platform (e.g., FAMIS), ensuring accurate service intake, preventive maintenance scheduling, asset tracking, and facilities performance reporting in coordination with subordinate units.

• Leverage CMMS data for operational planning and customer service tracking.

Project Support and Asset Management

• Collaborate with Design & Construction, Space Utilization and Analysis, and Budget and Planning teams to ensure building, grounds and infrastructure needs, maintainability, and regulatory compliance are integrated into project development and delivery.

• Support operational readiness for newly constructed or renovated buildings and ensure smooth transition to long-term maintenance teams.

• Lead deferred maintenance prioritization and facility condition assessments to inform capital planning.

• Utilize CMMS and asset management data to support lifecycle planning and informed decision-making regarding investments in infrastructure and building systems.

Compliance, Policy and Standards Oversight

• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of policies, procedures, and operational standards related to facilities operations, maintenance, utilities, and service delivery.

• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and institutional requirements in coordination with Environmental Health & Safety, and other campus partners.

• Oversee periodic policy reviews, documentation updates, and staff education to ensure system-wide consistency and accountability.

• Support audits and reviews by ensuring policy alignment, accurate documentation, and consistent operational compliance.

Budget and Resource Management

• Provide leadership for operational budgeting across Engineering, Physical Plant, and Logistics units, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, cost recovery, utility forecasting, and long-range capital reinvestment.

• Oversee coordination with the Facilities Management Business Office to manage expenditures, chargeback structures, and procurement of service contracts and operational supplies.

Emergency Management and Resilience

• Serve as a key facilities leader across all phases of emergency management, particularly during hurricanes, power outages, floods, or major system failures.

• Collaborate with responsible authorities and stakeholders to ensure operational continuity, infrastructure resilience, compliance and post-event restoration of university assets, including utilities, buildings, and grounds.

Cross-Campus Collaboration and Communication

• Liaise with core-mission units - academic, research, and administrative - to coordinate facilities operations and infrastructure-related activities and minimize service disruptions.

• Maintain transparent communication regarding planned outages, emergencies, and project handoffs.

• Collaborate with state agencies, consultants, and contractors to meet regulatory requirements and operational goals.

FAU Benefits and Perks

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers:

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php

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Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience required; or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience required.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills:
Experience in higher education or other large institutional settings.
Familiarity with Florida Board of Governors regulations and state procurement standards.
PE license, CFM, FMP, CEM, or equivalent facilities certification.
Knowledge of energy conservation strategies, sustainability principles, and facilities performance metrics.

Salary:

$145,000.00 per year.

College or Department:

Facilities Management

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Some weekends and evenings may be required.

Application Deadline:

2025-11-13

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This recruitment has been reopened; all previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply. This position may close without prior notice.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Resume
Cover letter
OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.
REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at [email protected]. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.