About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Facilities Management, the Director of Alterations and Building Maintenance is responsible for managing the operation and maintenance of all Academic, Administrative, Residential, and Research buildings on the Amherst campus and satellite locations. In addition, the position directs the Alterations division as well as fills in for the Executive Director of Facilities Management during long-term periods of absenteeism.
Essential Functions
Leadership and Strategic Planning:
- Develops a positive Department attitude.
- Develops and mentors’ departmental leadership staff, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and succession planning to ensure long-term departmental stability.
- Provides tactical planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and directing work against many competing demands.
- Manages in-house workforce and service contractors.
- Oversees inspections and audits by direct reports to ensure a well-disciplined approach includes quality control and quality assurance.
- Responsible for assuring proper staffing, scheduling, and training of Department personnel.
- Develops and supervises standards of maintenance for the architectural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems in academic and administrative spaces.
- Fills in for the Executive Director of Facilities Management during long-term periods of absenteeism.
Financial Management:
- Prepares annual budgets.
- Develops goals to maximize performance and minimize wasteful spending.
- Reviews and approves Alterations division project cost estimates and schedules.
- Manages inventory and expenditures.
- Secures and manages funding for deferred maintenance, emergency repairs, and capital renewal projects, ensuring fiscal responsibility while maintaining operational excellence.
Customer Relations and Engagement:
- Meets with campus customers to determine their needs and to ensure complete follow through.
- Develops and implements procedures to assure quality improvement and a clear customer service commitment.
- Oversees processes to ensure desired outcomes and goals are achieved.
Strategic Planning and Collaboration:
- Coordinates with other groups and organizations, including Facilities & Campus Services Departments, Environmental Health & Safety, Building Coordinators, Space Management and Student Affairs & Campus Life (SACL) personnel on all aspects of campus Building Maintenance and Alterations services in order to maximize effectiveness and minimize disruptions.
- Provides Building Maintenance and Alterations services, coordinating service delivery approaches and procedures.
- Conducts research and engages with stakeholders to ensure that required preventive & continuous maintenance, repairs, alterations and services for campus laborites are properly scheduled and performed.
- Collaborates with Campus Planning, Design and Construction Management (DCM), Facilities & Campus Services (F&CS) Administration, and SACL to ensure that Deferred Maintenance and other major projects incorporate the best maintenance and operational design concepts.
- Ensures that all aspects of maintenance projects and renovation / alteration operate smoothly and efficiently, enhancing customer service while minimizing the disruption to the campus environment and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Interfaces with bargaining unit officials. Works with union officials to maintain a harmonious relationship.
Supervision and Employee Development:
- Provides staff guidance, development, and discipline, including understanding non-discrimination goals, training, supervision, and evaluation of management level positions.
- Advises managers and other direct reports in their staff guidance, development, and discipline responsibilities.
- Conducts annual performance evaluations and provides progressive discipline where appropriate.
- Represents the Department at second step grievances.
- Makes hiring decision and ensures that hiring processes are followed in accordance with established University guidelines.
Utilization of Business Systems and Applications:
- Ensures effective utilization of the Computerized Maintenance Management System and other advanced software to manage resources.
- Oversees the Department’s Preventative & Predictive Maintenance Programs.
- Deploys Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analytic data to optimize departmental productivity.
- Utilizes Microsoft Office Suite applications for reports, presentations, and other communications.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet department, executive area/division, and university goals and objectives.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery, and other compliance requirements.
- Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and to contribute to student success.
- Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs & Campus Life and Facilities & Campus Services.
- Responds to emergencies. Some night and weekend work required.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Associate’s degree and twelve (12) years related experience –OR- Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years’ related experience.
- Three (3) years of demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience in budget planning and personnel supervision in a large organization.
- Strong oral and written communication and computational skills.
- Competence with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience working with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and other advanced software to manage resources. This includes managing report strategies to enhance all levels of Building Maintenance.
- Ability to enter spaces/locations where personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.
- Ability to work extra/irregular hours, including nights and weekends during campus weather and facility-related emergencies.
- Ability to pass UMass Supervisor and Leadership course during probation period.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect.
- Association of Physical Plant Administration (APPA) Certification or equivalent.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Must be able to enter spaces and locations where personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.
Work Schedule
Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm, but position responds to emergencies, and some night and weekend work may be required.
Salary Information
Salary is commensurate to experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.