Director of Facilities & Maintenance

St. Margaret's Episcopal School
San Juan Capistrano, CA United States

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (SMES) seeks a proven facilities leader who will bring a strategic vision and operational excellence to the Director of Facilities & Maintenance role.

The successful leader will be an exceptional communicator and servant leader with high emotional intelligence who empowers teams, maintains executive presence, and operates under a “no surprises” philosophy while building strong relationships across all levels of the organization. Proven fiscal stewardship expertise, a proactive solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to navigate complex municipal relationships is required.

St. Margaret’s is a vibrant learning community where natural curiosity and academic pursuit flourish. As an independent day school serving students in preschool through grade 12, SMES provides a vigorous college-preparatory program dedicated to educating the hearts and the minds of its students and nurturing the whole child. Students have unlimited opportunities to discover and explore new passions and curiosities. They are supported and cheered on by a diverse and welcoming community, and the school’s 25-acre campus provides an ideal learning environment for students to excel in academics, athletics, the arts and more.

The Director of Facilities & Maintenance will report to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO) and oversee a team of 22. They are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, day-to-day operations, and long-term care of the school’s physical plant, including buildings, grounds, custodial services and mechanical systems. This role is essential in maintaining a safe, clean, and functional environment across all school facilities to support the school’s mission. The Director will also supervise major and minor construction projects, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, vendor coordination and custodial services while maintaining compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

The Director’s essential duties are to manage all construction and renovation projects from conception to completion, coordinating with architects, contractors, and government agencies while overseeing budgets, timelines and safety protocols. They will develop strategic facility budgets, prioritize capital projects, and implement cost‑saving measures aligned with the school’s long-term planning goals.

The Director will have the opportunity to oversee the completion and opening of The Commons, a transformative $40 million, 30,000‑square‑foot facility scheduled to open in summer 2026, while simultaneously managing multiple million‑dollar projects, repurposing existing spaces, and contributing to the development of a new strategic master plan. Success requires navigating the complexities of a year‑round campus with limited maintenance windows, building credibility through transparent communication with all stakeholders, and empowering a team of strong facilities leaders.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, construction oversight, or a related field is required. In addition, demonstrated experience managing large‑scale construction projects with strong leadership and team management skills is a must. The Director will bring a knowledge of building systems, maintenance operations and safety standards, and a proven ability to manage complex budgets, vendors, and long-term planning initiatives with excellent communication, problem‑solving and organizational skills.

For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, please view the full position description here.

Anticipated hiring range: $150,000 to $200,000 annually

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr