Director of Facilities

Job Description The Opportunity Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Facilities to lead day-to-day facilities operations for the Prescott, Arizona campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Facilities, this position provides leadership across facilities maintenance, utilities, transportation, shipping and receiving, grounds, housing maintenance, and project management. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a facilities professional who can balance day-to-day operational needs with long-term planning and campus priorities. The Director will work independently to evaluate facility needs, develop solutions, manage resources, oversee contractors and projects, and contribute to the continued development of the campus facilities master plan and standard operating procedures. The ideal candidate will bring strong facilities or construction leadership experience, sound judgment, financial and project management skills, and the ability to lead teams across multiple trades and service areas. This position also serves as a member of the Prescott Chancellor’s Campus Leadership Team and is an on-call role responsible for responding to after-hours facilities issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate facilities personnel across multiple trades and service areas, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, energy management, grounds, transportation, building services, materials management, and housing maintenance.
• Plan, schedule, and oversee maintenance activities and external contractors to ensure campus buildings, grounds, utilities, mechanical and electrical systems, and safety and security systems are properly maintained.
• Develop, implement, and oversee preventative maintenance, renovation, and facilities improvement programs.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the campus facilities master plan and standard operating procedures.
• Evaluate current and future facility needs and provide recommendations and options to support strategic campus planning.
• Oversee fleet vehicle maintenance, transportation services, shipping and receiving, and event setup activities.
• Manage grounds and landscape operations, including irrigation, fertilization, pesticide applications, and seasonal snow removal.
• Oversee housekeeping contract requirements and ensure campus facilities and grounds are maintained to an aesthetically pleasing standard.
• Manage physical plant and construction projects from planning through completion, including developing specifications, estimating costs, preparing bid specifications, and coordinating contracted services.
• Oversee outside contractors and ensure projects are completed in accordance with specifications, applicable requirements, and established timelines.
• Coordinate with code officials regarding required permits and inspections.
• Collaborate with the Design and Space Planner, Information Technology, and Planning and Construction teams on campus projects and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).
• Manage significant operational and capital expenses while ensuring responsible use of resources.
• Participate in the Prescott Chancellor’s Campus Leadership Team and provide facilities expertise to campus leadership.
• Respond to after-hours facilities issues as required in this on-call position.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world’s leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries. Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow. Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.

Generous Time Off

• Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year.
• You’ll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period.
• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full‑time employees in your first year.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in physical plant maintenance, facilities, construction, or engineering.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience, or a combination of education and experience commensurate with the requirements of the position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of facilities management and/or auxiliary services principles and practices.
• Knowledge of construction rules, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of RFP and bidding processes, as well as contractual terms and conditions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Ability to interpret financial reports and legal documents.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate contract terms.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, make decisions, and resolve problems with limited supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading facilities operations in a complex campus, institutional, higher education, or similarly diverse environment.
• Experience managing multiple facilities trades and service functions simultaneously.
• Experience overseeing large‑scale construction, renovation, or capital improvement projects.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, and competitive bidding processes.
• Experience with strategic facilities planning, preventative maintenance programs, and long‑term capital planning.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

Work Environment

This position is based on the Prescott campus and requires the ability to work across indoor and outdoor environments and respond to facilities needs as necessary. The position is on call at all hours of the day, with minimal travel required. The position description notes exposure to changing weather conditions, confined spaces, and hazardous materials.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment.

Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities.

Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy.

Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment, and that all employees will be treated with dignity and respect.

Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities.

Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy.

Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

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