Assistant Director, Facilities Operations

Department: Residential Services Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Northwestern University's Residential Services helps build a community environment for students through housing-related services, intentional learning opportunities and residential settings that include residence halls, residential communities, and residential colleges. Learn more about the Residential Services department and the Operations and Services team here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Job Summary:

Northwestern University Residential Services is seeking an active, team-oriented leader to join the Operations & Services team as an Assistant Director (AD) that will report directly to the Associate Director, Facilities.

To support and enhance the mission of the Division of Student Affairs and Residential Services, the Assistant Director will be responsible for helping to create and maintain a comprehensive residential environment that is academically and socially stimulating. The AD supervises the Facilities Coordinator and provides direction and leadership to provide excellent service delivery to the residential community, including responding to and delegating work requests. This position oversees projects from inception through completion while maintaining communication with stakeholders, The AD will support the coordination of the housing operations and maintenance in undergraduate and graduate halls, including coordinating furniture moves and installation and making physical adjustments. They are the primary contact for facilities needs within opt-in fraternities and sororities, conducting monthly walkthroughs. They will also work to set facilities standards and expectations for and conduct quarterly walkthroughs of opt-out fraternities and sororities.

In addition, the position will require significant interaction and cooperation with other units within Residential Services including Residential Experience and Budget & Finance as well as campus partners including Facilities, Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, Student Affairs IT, and Northwestern University IT, along with the City of Evanston, various contracted services providers and residential students.

As a member of the department's professional staff, the AD is involved in department planning, policy formation, and program development. This position will be required to respond to resident requests and needs, ensuring that their needs are provided for and that they are satisfied with the services received. The AD will also be responsible for conducting routine inspections of residential buildings. The AD will need to be proficient in PC/IOS, to respond to emails and submit work orders in a timely fashion and use Northwestern online sharing applications.

Pay: The pay range for this Assistant Director position is $70,000 to $73,500 depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Responsibilities:

• Manages day to day facilities issues and concerns, 39 residential halls and over 4,000 live-on campus residents
• Establishes good relationships with residential community, and provides excellent customer service
• Supervises the Facilities Coordinator, provides project and work task direction and delegation
• Conducts routine building inspections and creates works task for repairs
• Identifies and recommends changes and improvements in our building portfolio
• Works in partnership with Facilities Management (shop trades), for urgent responses and planned construction
• Coordinates construction and renovation projects
• Send out notices and communications to residents, staff and stakeholders about planned work or unplanned facilities disruptions
• Plan and organize scheduling for Preventative Maintenance
• Assists in creating a 1-5 year facilities plan, setting priorities with data and input from shop trades
• Primary contact for facility needs within opt-in Fraternities and Sororities
• Is responsible for working with regulatory offices and ensures we are compliant with city, state and organizational policies
• Plans and manages complex budgets, quarterly and annually
• Reviews and approves work based on budget and staff/trades capacity

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
2. 4 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.
3. Must meet eligibility requirements for Certified Drivers: 1) Have a valid driver's license; 2) Have a driving record with no more than one major moving violation or one accident in the past year (whether damaged caused either to or by the vehicle), and 3) Have a driving record with no serious events. Serious events include but are not limited to any alcohol or drug related offense(s), failure to report an accident, and operating during a period of license suspension or revocation. Learn more here: https://www.northwestern.edu/risk/services/university-vehicle-use/safe-driver-program-page.html

Minimum Competencies:

1. Excellent interpersonal communication, organization, and administrative skills.
2. Crisis intervention and management, conflict resolution
3. Effective written and oral communication
4. Possess skills in developing and managing budgets, inventory systems and procedures in a creative, organized manner.
5. Project management experience.
6. Excellent interpersonal communication, organization, and administrative skills.
7. Experience introducing new standards, trainings and technology to staff teams.
8. Experience working with diverse populations in a college setting.
9. Effective written and oral communication.
10. Knowledge of university policies and procedures related to financial and administrative management and student records management.
11. Strong ability to use Microsoft Office Programs, including Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Residential Life, Housing, Project Management, and Higher Education experience preferred.
2. Highly skilled in leading staff independently.
3. Able to work effectively in busy and stressful situations with minimal direction.
4. Experience working with diverse populations in a college setting.
5. Experience in leading large complex teams and projects.
6. Strong experience and proficiency in managing schedules and budgets.
7. Experience in maintaining inventories through systems and controls.

Physical Requirements:

1. Must be able to lift heavy loads of 50 lbs. or more
2. Ability to walk outdoors and through campus housing facilities year-round (in different temperatures and weather conditions)
3. Ability to spend considerable time standing, climbing ladders and stairs, and driving utility cargo vans.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.