The Director of Campus Operations is responsible for the oversight of Facilities, Campus Safety, Dining Services, Events, and Transportation. The Director will lead the management of current operations, ensure compliance with all external regulations and school policies, assist with the future planning of all school facilities, plan and execute capital improvements, and implement enterprise risk management procedures. In addition, the Director will ensure a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Director will have a thorough knowledge of mechanical and civil engineering principles and practices and modern methods and techniques applied to facilities maintenance, capital planning, campus maintenance, and construction. The Director of Campus Operations is a member of the Leadership Team and works closely with all senior administrators and ensures smooth functionality and strategic advancement of Kent Place School.
This position is ideal for a collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, is forward-thinking, and is committed to supporting the long-term success of the campus community.
Essential Functions:
- Directs and oversees all campus and facility operations, security, auxiliary services (dining services and transportation), and facility rentals.
- Develops a standard of exceptional customer service for teams reporting to this position and collaborates closely with staff to foster mentorship, monitor progress, and ensure accountability.
- Coordinates all internal and external programming on campus with Facilities and Campus Security and works closely with Athletics, Advancement, Enrollment, Head of School's office, and Academic Divisions for all events.
- Manages all vendor relationships. Renews and approves invoices and requests to assure payments are made in accordance with contractual agreements as well as all other equipment and material purchases.
- Ensures the safety, security, and operational efficiency of all school facilities, while supporting the Director of Summer & Auxiliary Programs in exploring and managing non-tuition revenue opportunities.
- Participates as an active member of the Leadership Team and serves as an integral leader for the school community and participates fully in daily community life of the school.
- Is willing and able to return to the campus, with short notice, after regularly scheduled hours as required for emergencies.
Strategy, Governance, and Financial Management:
- Works with the CFO to develop and implement the School's strategic development and management plan for the campus (e.g. master plan, zoning compliance, utilities services, energy management).
- Develop and manage annual operating budget for the departments under the role's purview with a focus on cost efficiencies and strategic savings initiatives.
- Creates and updates a multi-year capital improvement plan for the school in conjunction with the CFO and with the advice of the Building and Grounds Task Force.
- Assists the CFO as a liaison to the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Project Management:
- Oversee all capital improvement and construction projects, including coordinating efforts with the architect, contractor, and owner's representative as needed.
- Works effectively with local, state, and federal officials with regard to the building and development plan approval process.
- Renews and approves invoices and requests to assure payments are made in accordance with contractual agreements as well as all other equipment and material purchases.
Facilities:
- Develops and executes strategy for maintenance and operation of the campus. Manages and partners with the Facilities Supervisor to provide leadership and strategic direction for the facilities department, ensuring effective personnel management processes, including hiring, scheduling, evaluations, training and development.
- Schedules and performs regular preventive maintenance on all building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering (MEP), roofs, finishes, safety and monitoring systems, school vehicles, and other equipment.
- Selects 3rd-party maintenance contractors and manages the fulfillment of their contract obligations, including quality control of their work.
- Organizes, schedules, and supervises all repair and construction projects, with sensitivity to school seasonality and operational needs that keep the school's appearance in exemplary condition.
- Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, including work safety regulations. Oversees inspections of all building systems as needed for compliance (boiler, fire alarms, elevators, etc.).
- Manages responses to all facility work orders originating from building users, using established processes and develops new processes as appropriate.
- In partnership with Campus Security, coordinate fire and lockdown drills, ensure operations comply with fire department codes, and submit reports in accordance with current requirements.
- Participate in safety and emergency planning, testing, and implementation.
- Collaborates with program and staff leadership, to understand special needs and maintain quality of support to the mission (e.g. academic leaders, food service, athletics, technology, security). Provides facilities support to campus events (e.g. setups and takedowns).
- Participate in the development of policies and procedures that affect the use of supplies, facilities and campus needs.
- Coordinate routine visual inspection of facilities to identify safety, structural, or mechanical issues.
- Coordinate the School's energy management program & identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and overall enhance 'green' initiatives.
- Maintain all records that pertain to the operation of facilities and campus management.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors, contractors, and the school community.
- Assist with vendor negotiations and statements of work to optimize service quality and cost.
Qualifications and Attributes:
- Ten years of related technical work experience is required, preferably at an educational setting. Related experience could entail construction, plant engineering, or facility/ campus management.
- Strong logistical instincts and a track record of effective campus and project management.
- Hands-on leadership style with strong self-identity and a commitment to relationship-building and customer service.
- Demonstrated ability to create efficiencies and implement operational improvements.
- Proven personnel management skills and contractor management experience, with aptitude to judge quality of performance in all major technical trades and personal experience in at least one technical trade (carpentry, mechanical, electrical, structural) Technology user skills sufficient to prepare reports in Excel and Word, and aptitude to operate BAS (building automation system).
- Communication skills (oral and written) and confidence in conveying information to all types of members of the community, including teachers, administrators, trustees, parents, students
- Ability to adapt behavior to function effectively in the institution's culture, including those specific to the school's tradition
- Commitment to the institution's needs and readiness to respond 24/7/365 as reasonable and necessary
- Commitment to cultural competency and working in a diverse environment that is affirming and inclusive, where each member feels safe, valued and respected.
Education and/or Experience:
- A college or trade school degree or equivalent experience is required, preferably in one of the following disciplines: industrial management, construction management, civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or architecture.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Frequently lift equipment and materials weighing 50 pounds or more.
- Crawl, climb ladders, twist, turn, and reach in completing a variety of job duties.
- Work outside in hot or cold conditions for extended periods of time.
- Work in a wide variety of environments as found in all areas of the school.
- Willing to work evenings and weekends for special events or as needed.