Physical Plant - Director of the Physical Plant

Cedarville University invites applicants for the position of Director of the Physical Plant. This is a full-time, exempt, on-site staff position in the Operations Department within the Business Division. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Operations and works 2,080 annual hours.

As Cedarville University continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced, service-minded leader to join our Operations team. With expanding facilities, ongoing campus improvements, and a commitment to excellence in stewardship, this is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership for the University's Physical Plant. The Director of the Physical Plant leads the operations and maintenance of campus buildings, grounds, athletic facilities, infrastructure, and vehicle assets while developing a high-performing team dedicated to providing exceptional service to the Cedarville community.

Essential Functions

Lead Physical Plant Staff and Department Operations

• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for Physical Plant staff and departmental operations.
• Recommend organizational structure, staffing levels, position responsibilities, and departmental procedures to support effective service delivery.
• Supervise, train, develop, and evaluate assigned staff in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Participate in recruitment, interviewing, selection, performance appraisal, and professional development processes.
• Address personnel, performance, and behavioral matters in a timely and professional manner, keeping the Associate Vice President for Operations and University Human Resources appropriately informed.
• Review staffing needs, position descriptions, functional responsibilities, and salary competitiveness, recommending adjustments as appropriate.
• Provide training opportunities related to safety, operations, maintenance procedures, departmental expectations, and professional growth.

Manage Operations and Maintenance of University Facilities and Assets

• Oversee the daily operations, maintenance, repair, and stewardship of University facilities, grounds, infrastructure, equipment, and related assets, including:
  • Academic, administrative, residence life, athletic, auxiliary, and other campus buildings.
  • Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression, laundry, food service, and general building systems.
  • Furniture moves, office relocations, transitional houses, Cedar Park, and other campus support needs.
  • University grounds, including lawns, trees, landscaping, hardscape areas, Cedar Lake, dam, bridges, and fountains.
  • Outdoor athletic facilities, including varsity and practice fields, cross-country course, outdoor track, intramural fields, tennis courts, and surrounding grounds.
  • University vehicles, trailers, grounds equipment, generators, and other motorized assets.
  • Physical infrastructure, including underground utilities, parking lots, roads, and sidewalks.
  • Trash collection, recycling, disposal, and coordination with outside service providers.
  • Outsourced custodial services, including special events, summer cleaning, and related service coordination.

Oversee Utility and Regulatory Compliance Responsibilities

• Supervise University water plant operations and related regulatory obligations.
• Ensure required testing, filings, inspections, maintenance, and compliance activities are completed with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Greene County Sanitary Engineering, and other applicable agencies.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards affecting Physical Plant operations.

Direct Preventive Maintenance and Asset Renewal Programs

• Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate preventive, routine, and corrective maintenance programs for University buildings, equipment, infrastructure, and grounds.
• Identify repair, replacement, and renewal needs to ensure facilities remain safe, reliable, functional, and aligned with University priorities.

Establish Standards for Physical Plant Operations

• Develop, implement, and maintain operational standards, procedures, and service expectations.
• Promote efficient workflows, safe work practices, consistent service delivery, and responsible stewardship of University resources.

Manage Budgets, Expenses, and Project Priorities

• Monitor Physical Plant budgets and expenses to ensure responsible use of resources.
• Maintain project priorities, evaluate resource needs, and develop annual budget recommendations.

Coordinate Bids, Vendors, and Maintenance Projects

• Solicit, review, and analyze bids for maintenance, repairs, improvements, services, and related projects.
• Coordinate approved work with contractors, vendors, staff, and campus stakeholders.

Communicate and Collaborate with Campus Constituents

• Communicate Physical Plant initiatives, priorities, service impacts, and operational direction as requested.
• Build and maintain collaborative, service-oriented relationships with departments, employees, students, contractors, and other campus constituents.

Ensure Facilities Meet Code and Operational Requirements

• Coordinate facility replacements, upgrades, repairs, and modifications needed to comply with applicable codes, safety standards, and operational requirements.

Represent the AVP for Operations as Directed

• Act on behalf of the Associate Vice President for Operations in matters related to Physical Plant operations and other assigned initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to facilities management.
• Five years of successful management experience leading multiple teams across a variety of projects with a demonstrated ability to develop staff.
• Five years of progressive facilities management experience, preferably in higher education or a similar organization.
• Demonstrated success leading a service-focused organization and supervising a large staff.
• Demonstrated experience with leadership of multifunction teams, budgeting, planning, scheduling, and project management.
• Self-managed with the ability to work effectively with minimal direction.

Required Mental/Physical Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, multitasking, and project management skills.
• Effective leadership, consensus-building, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Ability to analyze complex matters while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple employees and teams.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to navigate campus and construction sites as needed.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to distinguish colors and read architectural plans.

Environmental Considerations

• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to work safely on active construction sites.
• Exposure to seasonal weather conditions.
• Occasional exposure to light cleaning chemicals.