Director of Facilities

Friends Academy is a Quaker Independent Day School serving students from Pre-School through 12th Grade on a beautiful 65-acre campus in Locust Valley, New York.

About the role

The Director of Facilities is responsible for the comprehensive oversight and strategic management of all campus facilities. This role leads and coordinates the design, planning, construction, maintenance, and modification of buildings, equipment, machinery, and other physical infrastructure, either directly or through the effective supervision of subordinate teams.

Responsibilities

• Inspects campus and evaluates use of space and facilities.
• Plans, budgets, and schedules facilities modifications, including cost estimates, bid sheets, layouts, and construction and acquisition contracts.
• Performs audits and facility inspections to support facility planning.
• Develops long-range plans, conceptual designs, and capital outlay requirements and documentation for the campus.
• Develops and manages the annual operating budget, capital equipment purchases, and project budgets for all departments under this role.
• Formulates and coordinates program specifications, requirements for proposals and contracts, and associated documents.
• Acts as liaison to public utility, environmental, and energy agencies.
• Oversees the development and implementation of utility management and conservation programs.
• Inspects construction and installation progress to ensure conformance to established specifications.
• Oversees and directs maintenance personnel and workers engaged in equipment installation, facilities equipment repair, and preventive and routine maintenance.
• Reviews and approves invoices and requests to ensure payments are made in accordance with contractual agreements, as well as all other equipment and material purchases.
• Oversees Campus Safety to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local codes and regulations, including but not limited to asbestos management, lead in water, soils, paints, air quality, hazardous waste reduction, management, and disposal, and other health-related issues.
• Establishes procedures for OSHA and ensures all Facilities personnel receive training.
• Serves as a member of the Incident Command and Emergency Management Teams.
• Works directly and in support of the Director of Finance, Operations, and Strategic Projects, providing reports on all areas of the Physical Plant, including detailed reports of costs and activities.
• Ensures effective, constant communication within the school community of all maintenance projects, construction, public safety, and related issues.
• Supports the school and its leadership, participates fully in daily community life, and acts as an integral leader for the school community.
• Oversees the utilization and administration of the Brightly maintenance management system, ensuring effective work order tracking, asset management, and reporting to optimize facilities operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises employees and contracted personnel on the Facilities, Grounds, and Landscaping teams.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the school's policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; providing constructive feedback; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

Key Competencies

• Project Management: Able to set goals, develop plans, manage a budget, and ensure projects are completed on time. Flexible and available on weekends and evenings, providing immediate assistance in emergencies.
• Technical Skills: Possesses a strong understanding of building systems and technology to effectively assess needs, plan maintenance, and communicate with specialized technicians. Committed to continuous learning to stay up to date with new technologies and regulations.
• Professional and Interpersonal Skills: An effective communicator with faculty, staff, contractors, and school leadership. Builds strong working relationships, resolves conflicts, and maintains professionalism under pressure. Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and embraces professional development in DEIJ work.
• Leadership and Teamwork: Demonstrated leadership skills to guide and motivate a team of maintenance and grounds staff. Sets clear expectations, provides feedback, and fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued.
• Safety and Compliance: Upholds safety and security procedures. Proactive in identifying and addressing potential hazards and ensuring all operations comply with relevant safety regulations and building codes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university, preferably in engineering, construction management, or a related field, and five years of related experience.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
• A professional license in one of the following disciplines is essential: Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Architecture.

Skills

• Knowledge of Google applications, Senior Systems database software, Brightly maintenance management system, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.

Pay

The expected salary range is $150,000–$180,000. The actual compensation will be based on the candidate’s relevant and transferable years of service and other factors, including internal peer equity and market considerations.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Able to move from building to building and across the campus.

Work Environment

• Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.