Operations Manager, Space Institute

About the role

Purpose: The Operations Manager, under direction, leads and oversees facility operations, maintenance, and infrastructure support for the Texas A&M University Space Institute in Houston. This position is responsible for ensuring that facilities are safe, secure, functional, and capable of supporting a dynamic, multi-tenant environment. The Operations Manager contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Institute by maintaining high operational standards, supporting tenant needs, and ensuring facility and equipment readiness to support high-quality facility operations in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

The Texas A&M University Space Institute will advance commercial, government, military, and academic research and development partnerships in support of national and international space endeavors. With a $200 million investment from the State of Texas, a 400,000 square foot facility is under construction at NASA-Johnson Space Center's Exploration Park. This unique facility, featuring the world's largest indoor climate-controlled landscapes to emulate surface operations on the moon and Mars, is expected to open in the fall of 2026 and will support space system research, testing, training, and workforce development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversees preventative, corrective, and planned maintenance, including mechanical, electrical, HVAC, custodial, and grounds operations.
• Oversees day-to-day facility operations to ensure the building is safe, secure, functional, and maintained in accordance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Serves as primary point of contact for facility-related issues, and service requests ensuring timely response and resolution.
• Coordinates and manages vendor services, contractors, and maintenance providers to ensure quality performance and compliance.
• Oversees building access control, key management, badging, tenant onboarding, and facility usage processes; conducts regular reviews of access permissions to ensure appropriate and secure access.
• Leads facility safety, emergency preparedness, and business continuity efforts, including safety training, fire drills, evacuation procedures, emergency response planning, corrective actions, and participation in on-call response activities.
• Assigns and coordinates facility proctors, safety monitors, and other personnel as required to support daily operations, events, and specialized activities.
• Oversees the operation, maintenance, enhancement, and reconfiguration of specialty environments, including the Moon and Mars analog scapes, utilizing and coordinating the operation of heavy equipment and specialized machinery.
• Coordinates with business operations staff on supply ordering, equipment service requests, purchase documentation, and related administrative processes.
• Establishes processes and maintains records of maintenance activities, work orders, inspections, and performance metrics.
• Supports space utilization planning and assists with coordination of facility modifications or improvements such as new equipment installation.
• Provides communication and guidance to staff and tenants regarding facility operations and procedures.
• Monitors facility performance and identifies opportunities for operational improvements.
• Coordinates with internal university departments and external partners to support facility operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Facility Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of related experience in facility operations, maintenance, or project coordination.

Skills

• Experience working in higher education, research, or complex multi-tenant facilities.
• Experience coordinating vendors, service contracts, and maintenance activities.
• Knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, and safety standards.

Benefits

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Dis