Chief of Facilities & Campus Operations

Job Summary :

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school.

Reporting to the Administrative Dean, the School seeks an experienced, inclusive, and forward-thinking Facilities Management professional. The Chief of Facilities and Campus Operations is responsible for overseeing planning and construction, building maintenance, energy management, real estate management, renovation and repair, utilities, grounds, custodial services, and general facility operations, such as dining, safety, and other contracted services. The successful candidate is a strategic problem-solver, resourceful, enjoys collaborating with colleagues from various disciplines, can see the big picture and the details, and is excited about the changing needs of historical properties on a vibrant college campus.

Position Description :

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Manages a department of staff covering the following areas: facilities maintenance, facilities planning, construction project management, mail center, room and event scheduling, security, dining, building access and accessibility, code, and regulatory compliance.
• Makes effective hiring decisions, sets expectations, and clarifies roles and responsibilities of direct and indirect reports. Provides regular and timely guidance and performance feedback to direct and indirect reports. Shares relevant information and updates with staff. Regularly aligns the evolving needs and goals of the organization with the evolving abilities and goals of the facilities and operations team. Plans and supports the development of the team’s skills and abilities. Effectively identifies and actively works to resolve conflicts between individuals and groups, engaging all resources available.
• Develops and manages departmental budgets for facilities maintenance and campus operations. Develops and manages budgets for capital projects, including facility construction, building alteration and renovation, major renewal and replacement projects, expansion, and utility upgrades.
• Collaborates with the Administrative Leadership Council and faculty in the development of long-range capital plans.
• Administers project management systems for the school’s facilities-related capital programs.
• Oversees emergency management and response for GSD in close collaboration with other Harvard schools and Central Administration. Ensures emergency management protocols are maintained, team members are trained, including regular desktop exercises, and coordinates planning and response to emergencies.
• Guides the long-term sustainability vision, mission, and operating principles to meet the sustainability goals of the University and City of Cambridge.
• Develop requests for proposals (RFPs) and coordinate professional consultants to resolve complex issues.
• Negotiates and administers design and construction contracts working with key university staff at various levels, including University Operations Services (UOS), Information Technology (HUIT), Harvard Real Estate (HRE), and Harvard University Police Department (HUPD).
• May serve on various University committees, including the Facilities and Maintenance Organization (FMO), Utilities Review, Environmental Safety and Compliance Officers (ESCO), and Harvard Planning and Project Management (HPPM).
• Collaborates with the Administrative Dean and Administrative Leadership Council to provide leadership in the overall administrative function of the School and University-wide issues such as compliance, etc.
• Provides creative problem-solving on issues confronting the school and the department.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 
Leads a team of six facilities and campus operations staff. Additionally, oversight includes vendor teams for custodial, security, maintenance, dining, and construction.

Basic Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field; minimum of 10 years of facilities experience with progressive responsibility managing teams in different aspects of large and complex facilities and capital projects in the $10M-$20M range.

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

Experience with leading and managing long-range physical plant planning with both new and aging facilities; strong background in developing energy management programs; experience managing departmental and project-specific budgets; well-developed ability to evaluate, negotiate, select, and manage appropriate, cost-effective vendor contracts; ability to diplomatically build consensus among various constituents with diverse interests while maintaining a strong customer service focus; broad technical knowledge of construction and building systems (structural, life safety, mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, etc.), and applicable regulatory agencies and standards (OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA, Building codes, etc.); excellent communication skills (both verbal and written )and ability to present to small and large groups.

Physical Requirements:

Must have the ability to access construction projects: climbing scaffolding, walking through construction sites, etc.

Working Conditions:

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.  

Additional Information 

Work Format Details:

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.