Facility Operations Leader

Department

PHYSICAL PLANT (NW-PHYP-IUNWA)

Department Information

The Indiana University (IU) Northwest Physical Plant department supports the university's academic mission by providing safe, efficient, and responsive maintenance and landscaping/grounds services across campus. The department is responsible for the ongoing operational integrity, appearance, compliance, and functionality of campus facilities and grounds. Through proactive maintenance, adherence to industry best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives, the team ensures a reliable, high-quality campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Job Summary

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and operational leadership for Maintenance and Landscaping/Grounds staff, ensuring clear accountability for performance, productivity, and service quality.
• Develops and manages daily and long-range work schedules to ensure appropriate staffing coverage and timely response to campus needs.
• Monitors work order systems and preventive maintenance programs to ensure completion, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Conducts regular inspections of buildings, grounds, and infrastructure to proactively identify deficiencies and implement corrective action plans.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, safety standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Collaborates with campus leadership to prioritize projects and align facility operations with institutional goals.
• Leads process improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery, cost effectiveness, and long-term asset preservation.
• Supports budget oversight related to operational supplies, equipment, and workforce planning.

General Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day operational management of Facility Operations staff.
• Establishes short-term operational objectives.
• Identifies operational issues and/or areas of improvement and implements solutions to improve processes and/or operational efficiency.
• Analyzes, monitors, and evaluates assigned staff performance; establishes work priorities, conducts performance reviews, and provides corrective action as needed.
• Ensures adequate staffing and effective scheduling; participates in and informs employment decisions for assigned staff.
• Provides direct supervision and oversight of assigned staff and activities; impacts, and is held accountable for, the performance of the team and/or assigned staff.
• Ensures and provides training to assigned staff to improve Facility Operations; researches and identifies development opportunities for assigned staff.
• Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry Facility Operations standards, best practices, and emerging technology; keeps next-level leader(s) informed of trends as well as significant problems.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in business, inventory management, controls, facilities management, or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Preferred

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations, maintenance, landscaping/grounds, or related operational environment
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience overseeing skilled trades, grounds, or maintenance staff
• Experience in higher education, public sector, or similarly complex institutional environments
• Experience managing preventive maintenance programs and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Demonstrates experience in performance management, workforce planning, and operational process improvement

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Valid driver's license and ability to be insured by Indiana University upon date of hire

SKILLS

Required

• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Proficient communication skills
• Effective leadership skills
• Demonstrates problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities
• Understanding of budgets and the budgeting process
• Knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to successfully complete required training programs

Preferred

• Strong supervisory and team development skills with demonstrated ability to build accountability and improve performance
• Ability to assess operational workflows and implement sustainable process improvements
• Knowledge of facility maintenance practices, grounds management, safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Strong organizational and scheduling skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment
• Ability to interpret policies, technical information, and operational data to inform decision-making
• Effective conflict resolution and employee coaching skills
• Demonstrates commitment to safety, service excellence, and continuous improvement
• Financial awareness with the ability to manage operational resources responsibly

Working Conditions / Demands

This role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

IU Northwest Campus

Gary, Indiana

Advertised Salary

$70,000 - $80,000 annually

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Operational

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Engineering, Trades and Facility

Job Family: Facility Management

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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

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Telephone: 812-856-1234