WashU

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director, Facilities Engineering & Maintenance for Washington University in St.Louis.

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

Position:

The Director of Facilities Engineering &Maintenance provides strategic, university‑wide leadership for engineering and maintenance operations across the campus and its satellite locations. Reporting to the Executive Director ofFacilities Engineering and working within the Office of the Associate ViceChancellor, the Director is accountable for the technical, financial, contractual, and performance management dimensions of facilities engineering and maintenance within a complex, decentralized environment. The Dan forth Campus includes 141 buildings under the responsibility of the Danforth FPM team, totaling 8.6M square feet. The Director will oversee (2) AssistantManagers, (8) Managers, and (90) Technicians.

This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and resilience of mission‑critical infrastructure while overseeing RFP development, service contract administration, procurement and policy compliance, performance reporting, and staff accountability. The Director leads with a disciplined, transparent approach to governance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, advancing a culture grounded in strong core values, collaboration, and team‑based accountability.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities engineering and maintenance leadership, demonstrating exceptional communication skills and proven success in high‑performance, mission‑driven organizations. A MechanicalEngineering License is preferred but not required. 

Responsibilities:

Engineering, Maintenance & Operational Leadership – 25% of time spent

• Lead engineering and maintenance programs supporting campus‑wide MEP, life‑safety, utilities, research, animal, and other critical facilities.
• Establish clear performance expectations, reliability targets, and service standards for in‑house teams and contracted services.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and resilient operations through disciplined maintenance planning and operational readiness.
• Partner withCapital Projects to ensure seamless transition and integration of new assets into operations and maintenance.

Financial Stewardship & Policy Compliance – 15% of time spent

• Develop, manage, and monitor operating and renewal budgets in alignment with University financial policies.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties, documentation, approvals, and financial controls.
• Support audits, reviews, and institutional compliance activities related to facilities engineering and maintenance.
• Ensure staff are trained and held accountable for adherence to financial, purchasing, safety, and operational policies.

Renewal, Risk, Business Continuity & Emergency Management – 20% of time spent

• Lead infrastructure renewal planning and risk prioritization across campus systems.
• Integrate engineering considerations into Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and Emergency Management programs.
• Serve in an incident leadership or technical advisory role during facility or utility‑related emergencies; participate in after‑action reviews and implement corrective actions.

Procurement, RFPs & Contract Management – 10% of time spent

• Lead or oversee RFPs, scopes of work, evaluation criteria, and selection processes for engineering and maintenance services.
• Manage and administer service contracts, ensuring clear scopes, performance expectations, deliverables, and compliance with University policies, laws, and regulations.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Risk Management on contract execution, amendments, renewals, and dispute resolution.
• Hold vendors and consultants accountable through service‑level monitoring, documented performance reviews, and corrective action processes.

Performance Management, Reporting & Transparency – 10% of time spent

• Establish and maintain performance metrics for engineering systems, maintenance programs, vendors, and staff.
• Prepare regular reports for leadership (Executive Director, AVC, and others) including:
  • System reliability and risk indicators
  • Renewal and deferred maintenance status
  • Vendor performance and contract compliance
  • Budget and cost performance
• Use performance data to drive continuous improvement and inform planning and investment decisions.

Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Risk Management – 5% of time spent

• Serve as a technical authority for environmental, utility, and safety compliance.
• Ensure adherence to permitting requirements, audits, and inspections related to air, water, waste, and energy systems.
• Represent theUniversity in interactions with regulatory agencies as needed.

People Leadership, Culture & Accountability – 5% of time spent

• Lead a diverse, multi‑level team with varied technical and professional competencies.
• Foster a culture of personal and team accountability, safety, and customer service aligned withPRIDE+ values.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, goal setting, and development planning; address performance gaps through coaching, corrective action, and process improvement.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Organizational Leadership – 5% of time spent

• Operate as a collaborative partner across Planning, Capital Projects, EHS, Finance, Procurement, Research, and Academic leadership.
• Translate complex engineering, financial, and contractual issues into decision‑ready information for executives.
• Advise senior leadership on operational impact, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure needs.

Perform other duties as assigned – 5% of time spent

About WashU:

Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university founded in 1853 and located in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Known for its motto Per Veritatem Vis (“Strength Through Truth”), the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses and comprises 10 schools, offering more than 150 undergraduate, 80 master’s/professional, and 50 doctoral programs. WashU is recognized globally for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

The university enrolls approximately 15,952 students (Fall 2025), including 8,164 undergraduates and 7,788 graduate students, representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries. Students participate in over 400 undergraduate student organizations, contributing to a dynamic campus life.

Academically, WashU is ranked among the top universities in the nation, placing #20 in National Universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. It maintains a 7:1 student–faculty ratio, supporting personalized, high-quality instruction. The university offers a wide range of disciplines across Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Architecture, Art, Social Work, Public Health, and an internationally renowned School of Medicine. In addition, WashU emphasizes global engagement—50% of undergraduates study abroad—and interdisciplinary study, with 80% pursuing multiple majors and/or minors.

Location:

St. Louis, MO

Qualifications:

Required:

• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities engineering and maintenance leadership at an institution of similar size and complexity
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • University-level campuses and decentralized organizations
  • Research, animal, and critical facilities
  • RFP development, service contract management, and vendor oversight
  • Financial stewardship, policy compliance, and performance reporting
  • Business continuity and emergency management

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or related field preferred
• Master of Business Administration (not required)
• Experience in audit support, governance reviews, or institutional compliance initiatives
• Experience implementing performance management frameworks or dashboards
• Licensed Mechanical Engineer

General Capabilities:

• Organizational values; Contracts; Financial Acumen; Policy Implementation; Executive Communications; Risk Mitigation Strategies; Collaborative Leadership; Strategic Planning; Operational Plans; Written Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Oral Communications; Continuous Improvement Approach; Team-based accountability; Performance leadership. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at anytime.

Equity, Diversity,& Inclusion:

WashU aims to be a diverse community fully committed to the principles of equity, fairness and inclusive excellence. We will pursue and value equity, diversity and inclusion in our research, learning, clinical and administrative environments so that we, collectively and individually, can benefit from the rich perspectives and contributions of individuals from all backgrounds.

Mission and Vision:

The mission of WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis is to act in service of truth through the formation of leaders, the discovery of knowledge, and the treatment of patients for the betterment of our region, our nation and our world.

At WashU, we generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge. We foster freedom of inquiry and expression of ideas in our research, teaching and learning.

We aim to create an environment that encourages and supports wide-ranging exploration at the frontier of discovery by embracing diverse perspectives from individuals of all identities and backgrounds. We promote higher education and rigorous research as a fundamental component of an open, vibrant society. We strive to enhance the lives and livelihoods not only of our students, patients, and employees but also of the people of the greater St. Louis community and beyond. We do so by addressing scientific, social, economic, medical, and other challenges in the local, national, and international realms.