Director of Facilities

Situation Overview:

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director of Facilities for Williams College.

Client: Williams College

Role: Director of Facilities

Business Unit: Facilities Department

Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts

Reports To: AVP for Campus Planning and Operations

Website: williams.edu

ZRGpartners.com

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position:

Williams College seeks an inspiring, collaborative and strategic leader for the Director of Facilities position. Reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Campus Planning and Operations, the Director will oversee the organizational, functional, and administrative aspects of the Facilities department including operating policies and procedures, personnel and budget management, program maintenance and repair; services for effective maintenance and operation of buildings, grounds, equipment, vehicle fleet; and support for events and on and off-campus rental property. The Director will play a key role in the strategic renewal of buildings and landscape, and manage the College’s space and facilities database, The Director will partner with colleagues in the department and across the campus on physical and renewal planning, capital projects, sustainability, operations, policies, and procedures. These include the Planning, Design and Construction and Energy and Utilities teams, the Zilkha Center for the Environment, Office of

Campus Life, Dining Services, Athletics, the Sciences, the Williams College Museum of Art, and other key campus stakeholders. The Director will provide leadership for the following teams: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Architectural Trades; Grounds and Custodial Services, and Technology support systems, and is responsible for ensuring a high level of service to the campus and integrating environmental sustainability across Facilities operations.

Leadership and Change Management:

The Facilities team is transitioning to a more strategic and proactive mode of operation. The operations respond to and inform campus-wide initiatives such as a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and changes to the capital and renewal planning processes. Other changes will include: upcoming replacement of the integrated work management system, and creation of a space inventory and database aligned with the campus GIS resource. The department is updating standards and moving towards greater integration with sustainable design and operations. They are a key partner on capital projects, planning for major renewal initiatives underway for athletics, housing, dining, and utilities infrastructure, and in implementing the College’s framework plan. The Facilities Director will be a key participant in and lead the Facilities team through these efforts interfacing with campus partners as required. Experience with similar and successful

change management is desired.

Communication:

The successful candidate will focus on effective communication within the Facilities Department and with clients across the campus. They will work closely with the AVP of Campus Planning and Operations and the Assistant Director for Planning, Design, and Construction on departmental policies and procedures, promoting teamwork and collaboration, and ensuring proactive coordination between construction and operations. This position will be required to create and provide presentations to Board of Trustee meetings, Williams College Senior staff and leadership teams, and other campus groups: staff, faculty, students, and other stakeholders.

General Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:

▪ Provide strong team leadership, deep operations expertise, and committed stewardship of the

college's buildings, landscape and infrastructure through clear goals and metrics including safety,

compliance and energy and environmental efficiency. Effectively lead and manage a staff of over 160 individuals with three to four direct reports.

▪ Use collaborative skills, a customer-centric approach, and current and relevant data on facilities condition, organizational effectiveness and best practices to support the mission and strategic priorities of the department and college.

▪ Monitor, analyze, and work closely with the Budget Director to develop and track the Department's operating budget. Develop and implement systems and processes for staff

effectiveness and accountability. Regularly track and analyze the budget to ensure spending for

the greatest value.

▪ Utilize appropriate technology systems for asset inventory, condition and the college's data and

information tracking needs. This entails working closely with Gordian, an external company that

maintains and analyzes building information to compile a ten-year plan and strategy for planned

building, systems, landscape, and infrastructure renewal.

▪ Prepare, update, and implement a strategic plan for the department, including resource

projections for future needs, continuous improvement, staff training and development, and other changes to motivate staff and strengthen partnerships with other departments on campus.

▪ Work closely with the Associate VP for Campus Planning and Operations and the Assistant Director for Planning-Design-Construction to develop short- and long-range plans for maintenance, renovation, and major renewal of building, landscape and infrastructure projects; and to ensure a safe, sustainable, and inclusive environment for the College.

▪ Research, develop, and make recommendations on projects and issues that the Associate Vice President assigns, which require coordination across college departments.

▪ Ensure department and contractor compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal building codes and regulations:

fire & life safety codes, building codes, environmental regulations, OSHA regulations and oversee quality control, finish level, and function of all work performed. Ensure compliance with college

policies. Communicate schedules, milestones, costs, and status to supervisors, stakeholders, and the college community.

Qualifications:

Required:

▪ A Bachelor's degree in a related field with eight or more years of relevant experience as a senior

facilities manager in a complex multi-building facility or the equivalent combination of education and experience;

▪ Deep experience with managing organizational and process changes and communicating with a

wide range of stakeholders and clients;

▪ Strong strategic thinking, analytical skills and ability to use data to guide decision-making;

▪ Broad intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for fresh ideas; and

▪ Excellent coaching and mentoring skills, and working with a diverse team, that foster and support a collegial style of leadership.

Preferred:

▪ Advanced degree in a related field;

▪ Experience at an independent school, college, university, higher education, or other large complex organization committed to service.

This is a full-time, year-round position. Regular evening, holiday, or weekend work is required to support facilities, projects, college events, and programs. This position primarily requires on-site work, but there may be availability for occasional remote work.

The targeted pay range is ~$175,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience. Please email Resume & Cover Letter to Nick Nixon at NickN@helblingsearch.com.

Senior Management:

Mina M. Amundsen, Associate Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations