Director of Building Services and Operations

DepartmentLaw Administration and Budget

About the DepartmentThe University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, UChicago Law offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind.

Job SummaryThe University of Chicago Law School is seeking a Director of Building Services and Operations to lead its facilities operations function for a building complex of 220,000 square feet, including physical plant and grounds maintenance, improvements, and security. The individual in this role will regularly interact with the Law School’s faculty, students, and staff and is the principal liaison with the University’s Facilities Services department and facilities related vendors. This position directly supervises two full time Local 743 Union staff on the building services team, the Law School Visitor Control Attendant, and security guards.

Responsibilities

Ensures timely and high-quality delivery of services through direct staff support, coordination with University service departments, and arranging contracted work.

Evaluates and reviews operating practices and processes for their effectiveness and efficiency on an ongoing basis. Establishes performance metrics and creates tools to measure effective operations.

Works closely with the Law School Events department to support high volume of conference, meeting, and event logistics, including set ups and breakdowns, access control needs, and contracted services (security, custodial, etc.).

Ensures regular inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems.

Manages Law School Reception and supervises the Law School Visitor Control Attendant. Handles temporary coverage needs with security guards. Supervises the building services team.

Coordinates all staff and faculty office moves and preparation of offices for new faculty and staff.

Maintains building security and safety by owning card access function and oversight of evening/weekend security personnel.

Manages the budget process for facilities, including budget forecasting, development, management and reporting.

Coordinates parking needs, both for long-term permit holders as well as short-term sales of day passes.

Develops short- and long-range plans for facility development, maintenance and expansion to support the needs and goals of the Law School.

Serves as the primary liaison with University departments such as Facilities Services, Police, Risk Management, Parking, Environmental Health and Safety, and Security Systems.

Sets building hours for academic, holiday, and break periods, updating building signage and card access settings accordingly.

Serves as the Law School project manager for capital projects, including new construction and renovation, and other facilities-related projects.

Manages telecommunication needs such as new employee setup, voicemail and forwarding services, physical phones for events, and troubleshooting phone issues.

Maintains building floor plans, construction documents, space utilization data, and equipment inventory.

Manages mail carrier accounts (USPS, FedEx) and interdepartmental billing for outgoing mail. Occasionally renegotiates meter lease.

Develops and maintains AHU fan schedules to meet energy efficiency goals. Supports other sustainability initiatives where possible.

Supervises movement of equipment and materials, maintains building security, and maintains information on building blue prints, space utilization data and equipment.

Coordinates with staff from other units and supervises the work of contractors as well as facilities union and/or non-union staff.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience:Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant experience serving in a leadership role in a facilities operations function including physical plant, security/safety, and grounds maintenance strongly preferred.

A minimum of two years of supervisory experience strongly preferred.

Project management experience strongly preferred.

Annual planning, budget development and budget management experience strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Proficiency with basic computer software and comfortable with learning new programs specific to facility’s needs.

Preferred Competencies

Exceptional communication skills with a strong client-focused approach.

Strong organization and project management skills.

Operate effectively at both big picture and situation-specific levels.

Resourceful problem solver with analytic, diagnostic, and facilitation skills.

Manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Knowledge of best practices for building systems and maintenance techniques.

Work independently with a high degree of initiative, conferring with leadership when appropriate.

Working Conditions

This position is required to work fully in person 5 days a week, Monday through Friday.

Regular business hours are expected, though occasional early morning, evening, and weekend hours may be required.

Given the nature of the role, heavy objects may need to be lifted in excess of 25lbs.

Significant movement, walking, bending, kneeling, and crawling are necessary.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)

Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job FamilyFacilities Management

Role ImpactPeople Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours37.5

Drug Test RequiredNo

Health Screen RequiredNo

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredYes

Pay Rate TypeSalary

FLSA StatusExempt

Pay Range$85,000.00 - $93,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits EligibleYes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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