Resident District Manager University Campus Facilities Management

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Resident District Manager (RDM) to lead a full-service Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) operation supporting Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all campus facilities services, including operations, financial performance, strategic planning, and client relationship management. The RDM serves as the primary on-site executive leader and liaison to university leadership, ensuring the campus environment supports academic excellence, sustainability, and long-term capital planning.

This role requires a highly experienced IFM professional with strong leadership in complex, unionized environments and a proven ability to partner with senior executives in higher education.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior on-site IFM leader and primary liaison to university executives and senior administrators
• Lead all campus facilities operations, including maintenance, custodial services, grounds, energy management, environmental health & safety (EH&S), and construction services
• Manage an integrated operating and capital budget exceeding $9M annually, ensuring strong financial controls, forecasting accuracy, and compliance
• Develop and execute long-term financial strategies, lifecycle asset plans, and capital improvement recommendations
• Oversee planning and execution of construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects from start to finish
• Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient campus operations aligned with institutional priorities
• Lead and support a large unionized workforce, promoting performance, accountability, and workforce development
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, and union partners
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction

Position Summary

• Serves as the primary contact for a complex, multi-site university facilities account
• Oversees operational performance, budgeting, compliance, and client satisfaction
• Acts as the liaison between corporate resources and on-site operational teams
• Ensures alignment with company standards, policies, and performance expectations
• Responsible for overall service delivery, financial performance, and team development

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• Minimum 5 years of management experience (10+ years strongly preferred in IFM or complex operations)
• Minimum 5 years in a director-level leadership role (required)
• Proven experience in Integrated Facilities Management, including multiple disciplines such as physical plant, custodial, grounds, EH&S, energy, and/or construction
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-million-dollar operating and capital budgets with strong financial oversight and forecasting
• Higher education/university campus experience required
• Executive-level communication and presentation experience in a campus environment (required)
• Proven ability to collaborate with or influence C-suite executives, senior administrators, or equivalent leadership
• Experience managing unionized teams and complex workforce environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in higher education facilities management
• Experience in capital planning, sustainability initiatives, and asset lifecycle management
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale operational transformation
• Strong analytical, organizational, and executive communication skills

What You'll Bring

A strategic, hands-on leadership approach with the ability to manage complex campus operations, deliver financial and operational results, and build trusted partnerships across a diverse academic community.