Director, Building Trades

Department
 

Facilities Operations Management

About the Department
 

Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors, and visitors.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Facilities Services Operations, the Director of Building Trades, using subordinate managers, supervisors and staff, plans, organizes, directs, and controls the operations activities ensuring the delivery of outstanding customer service while effectively managing costs at the Hyde Park campus.
The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for developing plans for facility development, maintenance, policies, procedures and expansion. Directs aspects of facilities services, budgets and forecasting, safety, and maintenance. Advises new capital projects.
Responsible for the performance of all department trades and operations functions including; electrical, carpentry, locksmiths, decorating, sheet metal, roofing, care of grounds, service crew, auto mechanical shops, façade repair projects and Faculty Exchange services. Oversees the development and implementation of goals, policies and procedures for facilities operations. Also provide campus services through contractors with 225+ outsourced FTEs including pest control, elevator maintenance and inspection, recycling and refuse collection, and custodial services. Manages an annual operating budget in excess of $20M and supervises 70+ unionized trades personnel, managers and supervisors performing these functions.  Continually evaluates and reviews all operating practices and processes for their effectiveness and efficiency, recommending changes as needed. 
Collaborates with the Utilities and Sustainability groups within Operations and other FS units including Capital Project Delivery, Planning, Finance and Business Services, and the leadership team in leading the creation and maintenance of strong working relationships with customers, peer service providers, external consultants and contractors.  Collaborates with University Academic and Administrative Units as needed.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that operations’ functions and campus services are performed in a timely, proactive, cost-effective manner while achieving FS quality and customer service targets by coaching the key operations and campus service managers.

• Sustains and improves the operations process, identifies operational needs, and promotes a strong customer service orientation within the department by enforcing an organization culture and other more formal mechanisms to ensure adequate communication and coordination among shops and other units of FS.  Prioritizes work to be performed, balancing immediate needs with preventative maintenance.

• Participates in setting and executing the FS strategic mission, priorities, resource allocations to maximize client satisfaction as a member of the FS Operations Leadership Team.  Ensures that internal and external customers are educated about the operations process and represents FS Operations on applicable committees.

• Represents FS in union issues, negotiations and grievances, and also works with union leaders and members to develop and implement programs beneficial to overall FS performance. Ensures Facilities Services’ compliance with collective bargaining agreements.

• Achieves yearly financial objectives through planning, directing, controlling, implementing, evaluating, monitoring, and forecasting as needed. 

• Develops supervisors, managers and staff by identifying skill gaps, ensuring the availability of appropriate training, providing coaching and guidance, conducting or overseeing the annual performance appraisal process, and proactively addressing performance issues as required.

• Develops and ensures the regular tracking of appropriate performance measurements to support continuous improvement in Operations.  Participates in the development and implementation of new operations processes, tools, and technology to meet the department's objectives.

• Provides necessary Facilities support for all major University events, such as Alumni Reunion and Convocation.

• Manages managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.

• Ensures the performance and results of multiple department trades and operations functions including; electrical, carpentry, locksmiths, decorating, sheet metal, roofing, care of grounds, service crew, auto mechanical shops, major façade repair projects, and residential apartment maintenance.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience:

• Ten years of experience in university facilities or related business.
• A minimum of eight years of supervisory experience, including managing large staffs.
• Experience developing and managing large, complex operating budgets.
• Extensive operations experience leading, directing, overseeing or managing a group with multiple functions within a Facilities organization.
• Custodial and/or outsourced contract management experience.
• Progressive management experience in large organizations or institutions.
• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience in leading major change efforts which includes establishing new departments and implementing new programs.
• Strong background and experience in performance management and measurement systems.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of modern maintenance management techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of the construction and maintenance fields.
• Strong comprehensive management skills and techniques.
• Strong planning and scheduling skills.
• Computer literacy in Windows environments.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with trades persons, professionals, faculty, students, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to produce quality work at a fast pace and handle multiple tasks concurrently with excellent follow-up.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

Working Conditions

• Attention to detail; reading; confidentiality; problem solving; decision making; superior written and oral communication skills.
• Think and plan strategically.
• Perform multiple tasks concurrently.
• Manage multiple and various stakeholders.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Move around campus to inspect buildings; ability to inspect architectural plans and renderings. 
• Keyboarding; bending; stooping to reach files; light lifting; standing. 
• Some travel may be required.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• List of References (required)

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

Job Family
 

Facilities Management

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

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: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.