Williams College

Director of Facilities
Williamstown, MA

---

Description

Williams College has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure a Director of Facilities.

Position Overview

Williams College seeks a 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 manage the operations and maintenance of the campus' built and natural environment. The Director will oversee the organizational, functional, and administrative aspects of the Facilities department including operating policies and procedures, personnel and budget management, strategic renewal of buildings and landscape, space and facilities database, program maintenance and repair; and oversee services for the buildings, grounds, equipment, vehicle fleet, and support for events and on and off-campus rental property. 

The Director will collaborate with colleagues in the Planning, Design and Construction and Energy and Utilities teams, as well as across campus on physical and renewal planning, projects, operations, policies, and procedures: the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Office of Campus Life, Dining Services, Athletics, and other key campus stakeholders. The Director is expected to provide leadership for the following teams: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Architectural Trades; Grounds and Custodial Services, Technology support systems, and Facilities Administrative staff, and is responsible for ensuring a high level of service to the campus and supporting and advancing environmental sustainability across Facilities operations.

For more details about this opportunity, please view the position profile by clicking on the cover image above. 

Communication 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.

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. 

?About Williams College

Established in 1793 with funds bequeathed by Colonel Ephraim Williams, Williams College is private, residential, and liberal arts, with graduate programs in the history of art and in development economics. The undergraduate enrollment is approximately 2,000 students, while there is a total of 350 instructional faculty. Williams has around 125 student organizations on campus, and 96% of students are involved in at least one extracurricular activity.
 
Williams has always taught fundamental problem-solving skills that students can use well beyond their four years of undergraduate studies. They also recognize that facing complex issues within their history and culture is necessary for sustaining an equitable, just, and environmentally responsible community. They strive to create an inclusive culture in which every voice is heard. The College is committed to ensuring that everyone can find their place and thrive, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what role they fulfill when they get to Williams College.
 
Williams admits US students without regard to their ability to pay. The college meets 100 percent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years and is the first school in the country to offer “all-grant” financial aid, with no loans or required earnings contributions. Just over half of all Williams students receive financial aid from the college.

Requirements

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.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Williams is committed to enriching its educational experience and culture through faculty and staff diversity. We expect the successful candidate to excel at working in a broadly diverse community regarding race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. The successful applicant will have demonstrated success in building inclusive work cultures and teams.

Additional Details 

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.

Application review will begin on May 1, and continue until the position is filled. The pay range is from $175,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience. Please email Resume & Cover Letter to Nick Nixon at NickN@helblingsearch.com. 

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. A COVID-19 vaccine and booster or approved exemption and participation in our testing program are required as a condition of employment at Williams.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at br@willams.edu.