Regional Facilities Manager

Regional Facilities Manager

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Department of Facilities Operations is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of CPS schools, modular buildings, annexes, and administrative offices. The department ensures that the district's schools and facilities are clean, safe, heated and cooled, and dry.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Facilities Field Operations, the Regional Facilities Manager plays a key strategic role on the Facilities Delivery team as the operational leader by driving consistent quality performance to ensure safe, quality facilities management for an assigned region within the CPS district. The Regional Facilities Manager oversees a team of Facilities Management Leads and the FMO Program Managers. They foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork by developing relationships with Principals, Network Chiefs, District Managers, Vendors, Directors, and other professional contacts. This role is responsible for the highest level of escalated facilities issues for the assigned region. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Regional Facilities Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Define and execute the regional strategy for custodial, engineering, and facilities operations, ensuring all objectives align with the District's overarching vision. Lead short- and long-term regional planning while ensuring strict adherence to Board rules, safety policies, and District standards.
• Provide guidance, leadership, professional development, and direct supervision to the Facilities team within the assigned region, including providing coaching, feedback, and performance management. Model a culture of facilities excellence and professional accountability, providing input on corrective action plans and employee training initiatives. Ensure teams provide excellent customer service to all schools and stakeholders.
• Utilize data analytics and systems (CMMS, Oracle, SOPs) to monitor work order compliance, equipment PMs, and supply usage targets.
• Serve as the primary facilities liaison for Principals, Network Chiefs, and CPS leadership, ensuring timely resolution of school-level concerns. Attend site visits and Principal meetings.
• Ensure all contracts and bid packages are reviewed on a regular basis, are bid out as needed per procurement policies and ensure invoices match contract pricing. Assist with bid solicitations. Manage vendor contract and performance issues that are escalated.
• Lead and drive process improvement initiatives by creating a business case and cost benefit analysis for funding and budgeting. Monitor project progress and budgets in the region. Prepare, review, and provide initial approval for budgets, financial reports (monthly and quarterly), contracts, expenditures and purchase orders related to the facility(s). Manage budgets and present requests for additional funding. Approve/reject work orders and purchase requests as required.
• Coordinate with other Regional Manager and Portfolio Project Manager to ensure District standards are met and to resolve Principal and Administrator concerns.
• Partner with CPS' FMO, PMO and third-party contractors' to review scope of work, performance objectives, contractual obligations and required deliverables. Align expectations with the FMO Program Managers and hold the Program Managers accountable for the performance of the FMO regional delivery team. Provide on-site support and leadership during regional emergencies, ensuring all senior leadership is informed and engaged.
• Monitor projects in the region and ensure that required work is identified and planned. Conduct regular site visits to assess facility conditions; utilize technical standards to estimate equipment "end-of-life" and determine repair vs. replacement strategies. Focus on equipment reliability and downtime reduction, identifying and monitoring problem systems until a permanent resolution is achieved.
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Regional Facilities Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, required; focus in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Facility Management, Operations Management, Business, Organizational Management or related field of study, preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum combination of seven (7) years engineering, operations/maintenance, construction, project controls, property management, trades, or asset management experience is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years management or supervisory experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal.
• Able to manage a variety of tasks.
• Able to work with various staff levels from craft to executives.
• Able to work at a strategic level and understand details regarding facilities management when necessary.
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.
• Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.