Operations Director

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Operations Director - JLL

Location: Preferred in Columbus, Ohio or Southern California

Reports To: Account Director

What this job involves: JLL is seeking an experienced Operations Director to support a large defense technology client within our Public Institutions division. This role will serve as a critical leader driving technical hiring, change management, safety compliance, and operational excellence across the account. The ideal candidate combines deep facilities management expertise with strong people leadership and technical acumen, and will operate comfortably within secure or classified environments typical of defense-sector accounts.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Serve as the technical hiring director for the account, leading recruitment strategy and execution for specialized facilities and technical roles. Build, lead, and mentor cross-functional operations teams, ensuring staffing levels and skill sets align with client requirements and contractual obligations.
• Lead change management initiatives across account processes, ensuring smooth transitions during organizational, operational, or procedural shifts. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency and continuous improvement across the account.
• Oversee onboarding programs for new employees and subcontractors, ensuring compliance with client-specific security, access, and training requirements prior to deployment on site.
• Support Joint Certification Program (JCAP) functions as applicable to the account, coordinating with client security and compliance teams to maintain certification standards and documentation integrity.
• Lead safety initiatives across the account, fostering a strong safety culture and ensuring adherence to OSHA, client-specific, and site-specific safety protocols. Conduct and oversee technical validations related to facility systems, infrastructure, and operational processes.
• Ensure all facilities operations, construction, and maintenance activities comply with applicable building codes, life safety codes, and relevant federal, state, and local regulations. Maintain readiness for inspections and audits conducted by client, regulatory, or JLL quality assurance teams.
• Manage day-to-day facilities operations, including budgeting, vendor management, capital planning, and performance reporting. Serve as a key point of escalation for operational issues, working closely with the Account Director and client stakeholders to ensure service delivery meets contractual KPIs and SLAs.
• Given the defense technology client context, maintain awareness of and compliance with facility security protocols, controlled access procedures, and any applicable clearance requirements throughout the employee lifecycle, from hiring through offboarding.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive facilities management experience
• Must have experience hiring for technical (MEP, HVAC) and specialized maintenance roles
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing complex operations within a large account or enterprise environment is essential
• Strong technical aptitude with proficiency in facilities management systems (CMMS, CAFM), Microsoft Office Suite, and data reporting/analytics tools
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes (IBC, NFPA life safety codes) and OSHA regulations
• Given the nature of the client, an active or eligible-for security clearance
• Proven ability to lead through change, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively with both client stakeholders and internal teams
• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting government, defense, or other secure/regulated environments
• Facilities-related certifications such as CFM, FMP, or PMP
• Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS) and IWMS platforms

Location: Remote, but preferred based in Columbus, OH or Southern California

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Expected compensation for this position:

120,000.00 – 155,000.00 USD per year

Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

Remote –Columbus, OH, Costa Mesa, CA

Job Tags:

Public Institutions

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits include:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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