Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations - Cohon University Center – Division of Student Affairs

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University is a highly selective global research university with more than 14,000 students and nearly 6,000 faculty and staff. CMU is recognized for its exceptional arts and technology programs, and its collaboration across subject areas while empowering creative leadership in the fields of Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Public Policy & Information Systems, and Science. Carnegie Mellon is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the United States. Carnegie Mellon University’s Division of Student Affairs is seeking an Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations to support the stewardship, maintenance, and operational readiness of facilities within the Cohon Center portfolio. This includes the Cohon University Center, Simmons Auditorium, the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness, and Athletics, and the Rachel Mellon Walton Room. Reporting to the Director of the Cohon Center, the Assistant Director serves as the primary departmental contact for facilities and operations, ensuring safe, well‑maintained, and operationally efficient environments that elevate student life, as well as support campus partners and all daily building activity. The typical work schedule for this exempt position is Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., with adjustments required for major events, emergency situations, and activities occurring outside standard hours. The Assistant Director also serves as the weekday facilities opening supervisor. Core responsibilities will include: Facilities Leadership & Daily Operations Primary departmental contact for facilities and operations across the Cohon Center portfolio. Provide day‑to‑day facility management, including routine maintenance, initiating work orders, conducting inspections, and communicating with building partners. Support daily building readiness across the Cohon Center, Simmons Auditorium, Highmark Center, and Rachel Mellon Walton spaces. Ensure welcoming, safe, and high‑quality physical environments that enhance the student experience and support campus events. Project Oversight, Technologies & Asset Management Partner with the Division of Student Affairs Facility & Space Planning (DOSA‑FSP) team and Facilities Management Services (FMS) on capital projects, lifecycle forecasting, and preventative maintenance. Provide administrative support to develop and execute DOSA‑FSP systems, processes, and documentation. Maintain accurate records of facility conditions, equipment lifecycles, and asset inventories. Budget Management & Strategic Planning Manage facilities‑related budgets, including equipment and furniture purchasing, repairs, and non‑capital projects. Support planning and forecasting for preventative maintenance and lifecycle needs. Track expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of university resources. Safety, Compliance & Emergency Response Ensure the safety of buildings and occupants, maintaining compliance with university policies, building codes, and local regulations. Participate in emergency response, disaster recovery, and continuity planning. Conduct routine safety walkthroughs and coordinate corrective actions. Campus Partnerships & Contractor Coordination Liaise with campus partners including Facilities Management Services, Division of Student Affairs Facilities & Space Planning, Custodial Services, Highmark Center departments, Tepper Operations, Environmental Health & Safety, Campus Design and Facility Development, and others. Coordinate work with outside contractors, ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to university standards. Build collaborative relationships that support seamless facility operations. Assessment, Reporting & Data‑Driven Recommendations Conduct assessments of facility usage, conditions, work orders, financials, and operational performance. Use data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Provide recommendations that enhance efficiency, safety, and the user experience. Supervision & Team Leadership Provide supervision to two full‑time employees, offering guidance, performance management, and professional development. Serve as backup to the Director, supporting departmental leadership and decision‑making. Collaborate with Cohon University Center leadership to support operational consistency and service excellence. Cross‑Functional Operational Support Serve as a cross-trained team member to support daily events, building operations, and student worker functions as needed. Coordinate with event operations and student staff teams to ensure cohesive service delivery. You should demonstrate: Knowledge of industry‑standard facility support systems and the ability to maintain complex facilities through proactive planning and operational excellence. Experience coordinating or supporting projects with internal stakeholders and external contractors. Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills; excellence in customer service; strong written and oral communication skills effective with varied audiences. Ability to cultivate relationships across the organization and use them to improve departmental functioning. Adaptability to new tasks, technologies, and evolving facility and operational needs. Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. 3-5 years of experience in facility management, operations, project management, or related work required. Experience with asset management systems, maintenance technologies, and capital planning strongly preferred. A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be c