Operations Director

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented peopleand empowering them tothrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Operations Director - JLLLocation: Preferred in Columbus, Ohio or Southern CaliforniaReports To: Account DirectorWhat 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 rolesDemonstrated experience leading teams and managing complex operations within a large account or enterprise environment is essentialStrong technical aptitude with proficiency in facilities management systems (CMMS, CAFM), Microsoft Office Suite, and data reporting/analytics toolsWorking knowledge of applicable building codes (IBC, NFPA life safety codes) and OSHA regulationsGiven 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 teamsBachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degreePreferred 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 yearFinal 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, CAJob Tags:Public InstitutionsIf 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 contributionsComprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision CarePaid parental leave at 100% of salaryPaid Time Off and Company HolidaysEarly access to earned wages through Daily PayAt 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'repursuing.JLL Privacy NoticeJones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement.For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.California Residents onlyIf you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view ourSupplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information.If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device.Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.SummaryLocation: Columbus, OH; Costa Mesa, CAType: Full time