Director of Facilities Management and Campus Planning

About the role

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) prepares the next generation of eye care providers, educators, and innovators through a rigorous curriculum and extensive clinical experiences. NECO graduates compassionate and skilled optometrists prepared to practice in diverse settings. Located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay, the College is a small, independent graduate institution located at 424 Beacon Street, Boston with 2 additional clinics located in Boston and Roslindale.

NECO is seeking a Director of Facilities Management and Campus Planning to provide leadership and direct operational oversight for NECO's facilities, campus operations, maintenance, safety, security, and capital construction projects across three locations in the Greater Boston area. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership position in a small academic institution. The successful candidate must be equally comfortable providing direction and oversight as well as actively engaging in the day-to-day work required to keep facilities operating effectively. This is not a position that can be managed from behind a desk or solely through delegation. The Director is expected to be actively present throughout the campuses, work directly with Facilities staff, troubleshoot operational issues, coordinate vendors and contractors, and personally drive projects and initiatives to completion.

The Director must also understand the unique culture and operating environment of an academic institution. NECO's facilities support a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, researchers, clinicians, and visitors. The ability to build relationships across the institution, understand competing academic and operational priorities, and respond effectively to the needs of these constituencies is essential.

A significant component of this position involves planning and managing major capital construction and renovation projects. The Director will serve as NECO's primary facilities representative and project lead, working directly with architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and institutional leadership. Candidates must bring demonstrated experience managing substantial construction and renovation projects, from initial planning and budgeting through design, bidding, construction, and completion.

The Director is also a member of NECO's essential personnel team and must participate in 24-hour emergency response activities, including weather-related and other facilities emergencies. Flexibility, sound judgment, a strong sense of ownership, and a willingness to step in wherever needed are essential to success in this role.

Campus Locations and Scope

The Director is responsible for three primary locations:

• Beacon Street Campus (owned facility): Approximately 60,000+ square feet, consisting of five attached brownstones in Boston's Back Bay. The campus includes research facilities, classrooms, a clinical training center, student study areas, a library, a cafe, administrative offices, and outdoor parking.
• Commonwealth Center for Eye Care (leased facility): Approximately 14,000+ square feet, including an eye clinic, retail optical space, and administrative offices.
• Roslindale Center for Eye Care (leased facility): Approximately 6,000+ square feet, including an eye center and retail optical space.

The Director is responsible for the maintenance, operations, custodial services, event management, security, safety, compliance (including research-related compliance), and food service oversight at the Beacon Street Campus. The position also coordinates and oversees lease-related matters, maintenance, cleaning, and security activities at the two leased clinical locations.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership, Administration & Staff Management (25%)
  • Establish departmental goals, priorities, and budgets aligned with NECO's institutional strategic plan.
  • Provide direct leadership, technical coaching, and operational guidance to key facilities staff—including the Manager of Building, Grounds & Security, the Manager of Compliance & Safety, and the Maintenance Technician—while maintaining an active, visible presence across all locations.
  • Manage departmental and capital budgets, forecasting, and resource allocations in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Campus Operations & Maintenance (25%)
  • Direct routine, preventive, and emergency maintenance across all campus buildings, grounds, and mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire/life safety, lighting).
  • Oversee facilities services to ensure a safe, clean, and functional environment for students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors with minimal disruption to academic and clinical operations.
  • Manage multi-site operations, including furniture/equipment logistics between campus sites and off-site storage.
  • Oversee food service operations at the Beacon Street campus and implement energy conservation strategies.
• External Relations, Compliance & Vendor Management (25%)
  • Serve as NECO's primary liaison to regulatory agencies and municipal entities (e.g., Boston Fire Department, Inspectional Services, historic preservation committees).
  • Oversee external contractors, architects, engineers