Director, Property Operations

WECU is seeking a Director, Property Operations to join our Facilities department located in Bellingham, WA . This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of all facilities and property operations across the organization's real estate portfolio, including owned buildings, leased buildings, and tenant-occupied properties. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing asset value, and ensuring a high-quality environment for employees, tenants, and stakeholders.

This position oversees facilities management, maintenance operations, capital projects, physical security, and property-related vendor partnerships. The Director serves as a key partner to the VP, Property Operations with significant autonomy and accountability, proactively identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and leading initiatives that support organizational growth and long-term property strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and direction for Facilities, Maintenance, and Security teams.
• Establish clear roles, expectations, and accountability, enabling effective delegation and scalable operations.
• Build a high-performing team focused on excellence, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee a multi-building portfolio, including owner-occupied and tenant-leased properties, ensuring optimal performance and value.
• Partner with VP, Property Operation and leadership to develop and execute short- and long-term property and facilities strategies.
• Proactively identify operational risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement, implementing solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Direct facilities operations with a focus on preventative maintenance, asset lifecycle management, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure all buildings are maintained to high standards of safety, functionality, and appearance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, service levels, and performance metrics for facilities operations.
• Work with VP, Property Operations and Property Manager to maintain tenant relationships through high level of service, responsiveness, and satisfaction.
• Support the VP, Facilities and Property Manager in reviewing lease agreements, renewals, and property-related terms.
• Assist VP, Property Operations in addressing tenant-related issues, including but not limited to signage, space modifications, maintenance concerns, and shared services.
• Oversee the management of third-party service provider relationships.
• Direct the team's execution of RFP processes, contract negotiations, and vendor performance management.
• Ensure managers maintain service quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness across all vendor activities.
• Oversee managers who lead physical security operations, including access control, surveillance, alarm systems, and life-safety programs.
• Ensure the team maintains regulatory compliance, safety standards, and property risk mitigation.
• Guide managers in supporting business continuity and emergency preparedness planning.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience in property operations, facilities management, or real estate portfolio management.
• Experience overseeing multi-site operations and/or tenant-occupied properties strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing vendors, contracts and capital projects desirable.
• Strong understanding of building systems, maintenance practices, and construction processes preferred.
• Experience working with lease agreements, tenant relations, or commercial property management is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements (OSHA/WISHA, building codes, safety standards) a plus.
• Proven ability to lead through others, prioritize effectively, and operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with community members, government representatives, and executive-level staff.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to anticipate and prevent problems.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately under deadlines, interpersonal pressure, and other stressful conditions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily office-based with regular site visits across properties.
• Occasional travel between locations.
• Ability to respond to urgent property issues or emergencies as needed.
• Completes all work completely and accurately.
• Reliable attendance.
• Ability to interact with and collaborate with co-workers and supervisors.
• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting.
• Occasional lifting up to 100 pounds.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 100 pounds.
• Occasional bending, squatting, and kneeling.
• Occasional climbing.
• Occasional reaching at, below, or above shoulder level.
• Occasional use of hands in repetitive tasks such as simple grasping, twisting/turning of wrists.
• Occasional finger manipulation to perform various clerical duties such as typing, filing, writing, and entering data into the computer system.
• Frequent talking and hearing in person and on the telephone.
• Occasional clarity of vision at 20 feet or more.
• Frequent clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.
• Frequent interaction with others.
• Frequent deadlines to meet.
• Problem-solving ability on routine matters.
• Frequent alertness, precision, and concentration.
• Frequent use of initiative and problem-solving ability.
• Occasional travel required.
• Occasional exposure to extreme noise levels.
• Normal workday with occasional overtime.
• Occasional exposure to fumes.
• Occasional exposure to dust.
• Occasional exposure to poor ventilation.
• Occasional exposure to electrical hazards.
• Occasional exposure to mechanical hazards.
• Exposed to potentially hazardous conditions, i.e. robbery.

NOTE: Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

COMPENSATION:

The salary range for this position is from $96,135 To $135,721 per year.

WECU provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision benefits with premiums for employee coverage paid in full, 401(k) retirement plan with an 8% annual contribution from WECU, bonus plan, two or more weeks of vacation, up to 11 paid holidays, paid life and disability insurance, annual wellness benefits, loan discounts, professional development, and much more.

ABOUT WECU:

WECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative where members are encouraged to save and borrow responsibly at fair and competitive rates. Headquarters in Bellingham, WA, WECU has over 160,000 members and over $3 billion dollars in assets.

It is WECU's mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members. We strive to treat both members and staff with honesty and integrity and to be a socially responsible part of our community. WECU also endeavors to be an employer of choice.

WECU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We make employment decisions based on merit and qualifications and seek to have the best qualified person in every job. WECU policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic characteristics or information, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

WECU participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all new hires.