Regional Director of Facilities
About the role
The Regional Director of Facilities Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational execution of facilities management across a multi-site portfolio of K-12 and/or Higher Education campuses. This role balances high-level P&L accountability with technical oversight of HVAC, MEP, and grounds. The Director serves as the primary advisor to client leadership (CFO/COO/Superintendents) regarding risk mitigation, sustainability, and long-term asset lifecycle planning.
Responsibilities
- Standardize operational "best practices" across all regional sites to ensure brand and service consistency.
- Implement a "Safety First" culture, driving compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and ADA standards across the district.
- Drive the transition toward Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), merging custodial, grounds, and MEP into a single, high-performance delivery model.
- Manage full P&L for accounts, including budget forecasting, procurement controls, and capital expenditure (CapEx) planning.
- Act as subject matter liaison for clients, ensuring high satisfaction and securing long-term contract renewals.
- Analyze financial data and CMMS metrics to drive operational efficiency.
- Establish and audit Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedules to move accounts from reactive to proactive maintenance.
- Utilize Building Automation Systems (BAS) and CMMS data to monitor energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint.
- Provide subject matter expertise on the maintenance of specialized educational facilities, including athletic facilities, laboratories, and aquatic centers.
- Build a robust talent pipeline by recruiting and developing the next generation of facility managers and skilled tradespeople.
- Lead technical training for staff on blueprint reading, equipment manuals, and emerging HVAC/MEP technologies.
- Empower site managers to make "Make or Buy" decisions regarding the use of internal skilled trades vs. external vendors.
- Oversee small-to-medium scale renovation and capital improvement projects.
- Negotiate and manage regional vendor contracts for specialized trades, ensuring high-quality performance and cost-effectiveness.
Qualifications
Experience: 7–10+ years in Facilities Management, with at least 5 years in a multi-site/regional leadership role. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facility Management, or Business Administration. Sector Expertise: Proven track record in K-12 or Higher Education environments.
- Certifications: CFM (Certified Facility Manager), FMP, or SFP preferred.
- Software: Proficiency in CMMS platforms (e.g., Maximo, Brightly, Operations Hero, FMX) and Building Automation Systems.
- Hard Skills: Deep knowledge of MEP systems, maintenance, and energy management.
- Digital Productivity: High proficiency in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive) for reporting, data tracking, and team collaboration.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Travel: Ability to travel 50–75% of the time for site visits, emergency response, and client reviews. Environment: Must be comfortable navigating mechanical rooms, construction sites, and rooftops during visits. Regular exposure to mechanical and electrical systems, noise, and varying weather conditions.
- Ability to walk for long periods of time around campus, climb stairs, stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces when needed.
Schedule
May require evening or weekend availability during emergencies or client events.