Executive Director of Facilities

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

Job Description

The Executive Director (ED) of Facilities and Campus Operations provides strategic and operational leadership, supporting more than 2.1 million sq feet across Harvard Medical School (HMS) and 110K sq feet at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Reporting to the Chief Campus Planning and Facilities Officer (CCPFO), the ED serves as a member of the senior leadership team and leads the planning, operation, maintenance, renewal, and stewardship of the schools’ physical infrastructure.

The ED oversees ~4 direct reports and 21 staff, and the work of 150+ vendors, contractors, consultants, and service providers. Responsible for safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable facilities operations that support HMS teaching, research, clinical, administrative, and community missions.

• Oversee operation, maintenance, repair, and stewardship of buildings, utilities, grounds, custodial and housekeeping services, landscaping, snow removal, engineering systems, and infrastructure
• Establish operational priorities, service standards, procedures, and performance expectations promoting safe, reliable, and efficient services
• Monitor building, infrastructure, and system condition and performance; identify and prioritize operational, maintenance, renewal, and urgent infrastructure needs based on failure risk, life-safety impact, and system redundancy
• Coordinate responses to facility issues and disruptions, balancing safety, continuity, priorities, and resources
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, service quality, maintenance, and service delivery
• Develop short- and long-range facilities plans aligned with HMS and HSDM missions
• Assess conditions and recommend capital renewal, deferred maintenance, system upgrades, and other investments; sequence priorities against available budgets
• Maintain understanding of critical infrastructure conditions and redundancies to inform renewal decisions
• Lead facilities energy management, including procurement, utility optimization, conservation, and efficiency; sustainability programs related to greenhouse gas reduction, recycling, transportation, and operations
• Oversee emergency preparedness, disaster response, life-safety systems, and continuity planning
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, building, regulatory, and institutional requirements; monitor risks, implement corrective actions and continuous improvement
• Oversee relationships with vendors, contractors, consultants, and service providers, including performance, quality, costs, and compliance
• Negotiate, administer, and evaluate contracts and service agreements; establish performance, quality assurance, invoice review, and issue-resolution
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets with the CCPFO and institutional partners; analyze expenditures, forecasts, costs, and performance to support resource allocation and financial stewardship
• Lead facilities management software, technology platforms, reporting tools, and operational systems; use data, KPIs, and dashboards for planning and decision-making
• Lead and direct Facilities, establishing goals, priorities, policies, procedures, and expectations; supervise, develop, mentor, and evaluate direct reports and staff
• Allocate resources; foster a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented environment
• Champion continuous improvement through innovation, industry benchmarking, and evaluation of processes, systems, and services to drive efficiency, quality, and value
• Serve as primary facilities liaison; maintain relationships with MATEP, leadership, faculty, administrators, staff, tenants, committees, affiliates, vendors, contractors, government agencies, and external partners
• Engage faculty and leadership to understand and incorporate needs into planning and decisions; communicate priorities, project status, issues, and resource considerations
• Represent Facilities in institutional committees, meetings, planning activities, and cross-functional initiatives; address complex operational and stakeholder matters

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in facilities management, engineering, business administration, operations management, public administration, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, campus or building operations, facilities engineering, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in engineering, facilities management, construction management, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience leading facilities operations in a complex, multi-building environment, preferably in higher education, healthcare, research, or a similarly complex setting.
• Demonstrated experience with facilities operations, capital planning and renewal, building systems, project management, budgets, vendor and contract management, and service delivery.
• Knowledge of facilities standards, safety and regulatory requirements, emergency preparedness, sustainability, energy management, and continuity-of-operations practices.
• Experience leading teams and collaborating effectively with faculty, administrators, staff, contractors, vendors, University partners, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to prioritize competing needs and manage complex operational issues.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week; This position is considered to be essential personnel for the Department of Campus Planning and Facilities. Weekend and holiday work may be required as well as attendance during school closures (due to inclement weather and/or other emergencies)
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 062. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.