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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Department Summary:

Student Life Facilities is a unit within Student Life that partners with University Housing, Michigan Dining and other internal units to provide a seamless residential experience for residents. Student Life Facilities has four component areas: Central Campus Operations, North Campus and University Unions Operations, Trades and Systems Management and Auxiliary Capital Projects. The mission statement of Student Life Facilities: To create and sustain diverse learning-centered residential communities that furthers the goals of the University. Through partnership with others, we provide quality programs, services and facilities for those we serve.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the daily management of maintenance, custodial, and building systems across multiple residence halls and apartment facilities. This role ensures that all facilities are safe, functional, and well-maintained to support the residential experience and broader mission of Student Life. The position directly supervises up to seven Building Facilities Managers, who oversee frontline custodial and maintenance operations within assigned buildings. The Associate Director also manages an annual operating budget of approximately $6-8 million, ensuring effective resource allocation, fiscal stewardship, and continuous improvement in service delivery.

Responsibilities*

35% Daily Operations Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for all daily operations related to maintenance, custodial services, and building systems within assigned residential and apartment facilities.
• Establish and manage work control systems to ensure effective scheduling, prioritization, and follow-up on maintenance and custodial tasks.
• Optimize the use of staffing, equipment, and materials to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Monitor facility conditions and direct corrective actions to sustain a high standard of cleanliness, safety, and functionality.
• Foster positive working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and community members, ensuring responsive and collaborative service.
• Collaborate with other units within Student Life Facilities to advance a student-centered operational culture, developing shared goals, policies, and procedures that promote an inclusive, enriching residential environment.

25% Strategic Planning

• Lead and contribute to strategic planning initiatives that support operational excellence and long-term facility performance.
• Identify and implement best practices for maintenance and custodial operations to improve consistency, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics, service standards, and work methods to align with departmental and university goals.
• Conduct periodic inspections and operational audits to ensure compliance with established standards, policies, and safety requirements.
• Provide technical support and professional expertise in evaluating new technologies, systems, or methods that enhance departmental performance.

25% Staff Development and Training

• Direct, develop, and support managers and staff to achieve individual and team success.
• Lead by example in creating an inclusive and motivating workplace culture that values accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Oversee staff selection, orientation, performance evaluation, and professional growth processes to build a high-performing team.
• Design and coordinate training programs that enhance technical competencies, safety awareness, and leadership capacity.
• Encourage open communication, participation, and problem-solving to promote staff engagement and morale.
• Ensure that all training and performance management initiatives emphasize life safety, preventive maintenance, and operational excellence.

10% Budget and Expense Oversight

• Manage financial resources to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Oversee an annual operating budget of approximately $6-8 million, including salaries, benefits, overtime, contracts, supplies, and equipment.
• Review and approve expenditures, ensuring compliance with procurement and university financial policies.
• Assist in the development and forecasting of annual budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities and funding needs.
• Participate in the evaluation and administration of contracted services, ensuring quality, compliance, and value for investment.
• Prepare plans, specifications, and documentation for purchases, bids, and operational projects related to building systems.

5% Collaboration, Liaison, and Other Duties

• Serve as a key liaison and representative for Student Life Facilities in internal and external partnerships.
• Coordinate with University service departments, contractors, and community partners to support operations and projects.
• Provide counsel and operational insight to the Directors of Student Life Facilities, serving as acting Director for the Central Campus Region in their absence.
• Support department-wide initiatives, committees, and special projects as assigned to advance organizational goals.
  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Considerable knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in maintenance and environmental/custodial services operations.
• Experience working with collective bargaining agreements
• Minimum two years of direct supervision experience (custodial supervisors, housekeeping supervisors or building facility managers
• Knowledge of building maintenance, heating, cooling, air conditioning, electrical systems and custodial standards
• Significant experience with computer programs including Microsoft Word, Google programs, Excel and Gmail
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse and multicultural environment including a student population
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in a relevant field of study
• Three to five years of experience supervising building facilities managers or custodial supervisors
• Five to ten years experience managing both the maintenance and custodial functions, preferably in a campus, school or health care setting.
• Evidence of proficiency in maintenance through certifications (such as the University's BOMI or CBM course, construction maintenance, etc.)
• Five to ten years direct experience with computerized work order (CMMS), time keeping and purchasing systems.
• Five to ten years of direct managerial experience in the facilities field.
• Extensive knowledge of the AFSCME contract (ability to interpret the contract from prior experience)
• Previous supervision of bargained-for staff with thorough understanding of a contractual unionized environment

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• History and evidence of successfully hiring, training, developing and supervising others, especially custodial and maintenance staff.
• Working knowledge of current custodial and maintenance best practices.
• The ability to excel at customer relations; including strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage and support a diverse staff and clientele.
• The ability to problem solve and manage change.
• Knowledge of relevant local, state and federal codes and regulations.
• Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:
• The Associate Director has budgetary oversight of approximately $6-8 million.

Working Conditions:

• Typical working schedule is M-F business hours (7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), but may require some additional hours on evenings and weekends.
• This position entails working conditions generally associated with a general management, building operations and administration. This position may on occasion require more than 40 hours a week. Roughly 75% of the job is indoors

Physical Requirements:

• The position requires the ability to move regularly to inspect facilities and support staff.
• This requires ascending/descending stairs and inclines, as well as a ladder.
• The successful candidate should be able to move and transport objects up to 25 pounds, though this is not a regular job task.
• Able to maintain a static position for extended periods of time; move throughout facilities as needed.
• Ability to manipulate and gather objects from various positions, often at low heights and from awkward positions..
• This position requires inspection of sites for various buildings

Direct Reports:

• This position supervises up to seven Building Facilities Managers.

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

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Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.