Associate Director, Facilites

About the role

The Associate Director, Facilities is accountable for the strategic and operational leadership of integrated Engineering, Facilities Management, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) functions for the Philadelphia site. This role provides oversight across both GMP and non-GMP environments, ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable operations while delivering a best-in-class workplace experience through the execution of comprehensive soft services.

Responsibilities

• Develops, communicates, and executes a strategic vision for Facilities, Engineering, and EHS that ensures reliable, compliant, and efficient daily site operations while supporting long-term business growth.
• Provides overall leadership and oversight of integrated GMP and non-GMP engineering, facilities management, and EHS programs across U.S. site(s).
• Establishes and manages departmental strategy, operational budgets, capital planning, and long-range infrastructure plans aligned with corporate objectives.
• Learns and supports capital projects including site expansions, renovations, equipment installations, and infrastructure upgrades in live GMP environments.
• Serves as a key participant and subject matter expert in internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance readiness activities.
• Defines, tracks, and reports performance metrics (KPIs) related to facilities reliability, compliance, cost efficiency, safety, and service delivery.
• Ensures all GMP and non-GMP documentation, run books, SOPs, and compliance records are current, audit-ready, and aligned with cGMP, company policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Provides strong leadership, coaching, and mentorship to engineering, facilities, soft services, and EHS teams, fostering accountability, engagement, and professional development.
• Owns the development, execution, and continuous improvement of soft site services, including but not limited to:
• Office space planning, layout design, and moves
• Supply ordering, inventory control, and distribution
• Conference room, town hall, and company meeting support
• Operational documentation and run books
• Policies and procedures for site operations
• Site security, access control, and visitor management
• Office maintenance, janitorial services, and vendor oversight
• Landlord and property management relationships
• Emergency preparedness and site response readiness
• Ensures all facility utilities and critical systems are fully operational, compliant, safe, and proactively maintained to support uninterrupted manufacturing and business operations.
• Takes a hands-on leadership role in soft services execution while maintaining strategic ownership and accountability.
• Owes and leads the integrated enterprise business continuity and disaster recovery programs for U.S. site(s), ensuring operational resilience and regulatory compliance.
• Partners cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, MSAT, IT, HR, Finance, and Executive Leadership to align facilities operations with business and compliance needs.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, operational efficiency, and cost optimization.
• Acts as a culture champion, reinforcing safety, quality, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned to support evolving business needs and organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s degree or advanced technical certification preferred.
• Minimum of 12–15+ years of progressive facilities and maintenance operations experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success in facilities leadership roles with a proven record of delivering measurable results in operational excellence, compliance, cost control, and infrastructure reliability.
• Strong expertise in project management and facilities operations, including capital projects, site expansions, renovations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Broad experience across engineering services, soft services, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) programs.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, translating long-term vision into executable plans that support business and site objectives.
• Extensive experience managing construction, renovations, and upgrades in live GMP manufacturing environments with minimal operational disruption.
• Demonstrated experience supporting sterile/aseptic injectable pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Advanced technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), HVAC, utilities, and life-safety systems within a regulated GMP environment.
• Exceptional customer service orientation with strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Proven people leadership skills, including staff development, succession planning, performance management, and team building.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• High-energy, results-driven leader with a positive, “can-do” attitude and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and business needs.
• Experience conducting systems investigations, deviations, and root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Proficiency with CMMS and BMS platforms, including program design, implementation, optimization, and data-driven performance management.
• Experience with RFQ/RFP development, vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, and contractor management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively engage and influence all levels of the organization, from frontline operators to executive leadership, demonstrating professionalism, clarity, and respect.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including strong organizational, time management, and deadline-driven execution skills.