Executive Director of Facilities & Maintenance
Highlands College, Birmingham, AL, United States
Summary of Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Facilities & Maintenance serves as a senior leader of the Highlands College 70-acre campus. They are responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, and the spiritual environment of their areas of responsibility. The Executive Director ensures that the campus remains safe and "Showcase Ready" at all times, reflecting the College's commitment to excellence.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities Spiritual & Cultural Leadership
Mission Integration: Actively model the Highlands College L.I.F.E. (Leadership, Integrity, Faith, Excellence) culture and support the spiritual formation of students.
Team Mentorship: Lead the facilities and custodial staff through a lens of ministry, fostering a culture of prayer, servant leadership, and professional growth.
Stewardship: Manage the College’s physical resources ensuring environments facilitate life-change and academic focus.
Core Responsibilities
Campus Maintenance & Operations: Direct the maintenance, repair, and longterm upkeep of all buildings and systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and structural) on campus. All buildings on campus: academic buildings, student housing, Church of the Highlands-Grandview, and dining facilities, etc.
Capital Projects: Develop short and long-term asset management plan to ensure facilities remain at Class A standards and condition including coordination of smaller construction projects, vendor selection, procurement, adhering to government regulations and standards.
Safety & Security: Serve as Facilities and Maintenance expert for mechanical emergency response planning and procedures.
Financial Stewardship: Develop and manage departmental budget, prioritizing cost-effective energy solutions and capital reserve planning.
Vendor Management: Negotiate and audit high-value service contracts for groundskeeping, janitorial services, and specialized technical repairs.
Other Duties
Participate in ministry at Church of the Highlands and Highlands College by leading small groups.
Affirm and uphold the Statement of Faith and the Core Values and DNA of the College, exemplifying all by word and lifestyle.
Represent the department in executive meetings, board updates, and cross functional planning.
Lead emergency preparedness efforts for weather, outages, and campus disruptions.
Collaborate with other campus departments to support academic, residential, and event needs.
Provide leadership and representation for facilities projects during design, construction, or renovation phases.
Leadership Requirements
Provide leadership to facilities, maintenance, cleaning, and mailroom teams.
Lead and develop teams to effectively reach departmental goals and productivity levels.
Influences others using rational arguments. Identifies basis for compromise and reaches an agreement.
Communicate accurate information in a timely manner and effectively using the most appropriate methods.
Set clear objectives, inspiring and encouraging high performance in teams and individuals to meet goals of Highlands College.
Reviews progress achieved, publicly and privately recognizing achievement.
Anticipates the possible demands and outcomes of a particular task or situation – plans and prioritizes appropriately.
Lead with clarity, accountability, and missional alignment.
Recruit, mentor, and retain all levels of proficient team members.
Establish clear standards, SOPs, and expectations for work quality, safety, and communication.
Promote professional development and trade specialization pathways across the team.
Anticipate long-term campus needs and proactively communicate plans to executive leadership.
Qualifications Personal Characteristics
A consistent, professional testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and alignment with the values of Highlands College and Church of the Highlands.
Demonstrates a genuine interest in supporting others, coaching, and training to improve performance.
Encourages the contribution of others and takes their views into account.
Highly focused, self-started with an elevated level of energy and positive outlook.
Ability to remain resilient under pressure and effectively adapt to multiple demands, ambiguity, and rapid change.
Strong commitment to excellence, efficiency, and inquisitive.
Visionary and strategic thinker with operational instincts.
Can balance long-term vision with daily execution.
High integrity, trusted presence on campus, and committed to stewardship.
Essential Traits and Abilities
Analytical skills
Problem Solver
Team Builder & Coach
Action-orientated
Initiative
Customer Service
Calm under pressure
Knowledge
Experience: A minimum of 5 years' experience required as a Director of Facilities or Engineering at a Class A facility or upper-luxury hotel/resort with a progressive track record in managing a complex campus or multi-site ministry environment.
Knowledge: Expert level knowledge in at least 2 related trade skill certifications required: HVAC, Electrical, Mechanical, General Contracting. Has a general understanding of most/other trade skills: plumbing, carpentry, water treatment, construction, cleaning, etc.
Deep knowledge of building systems, life safety standards, CMMS usage, and facilities regulations.
Familiarity with higher education operations, residential facilities, and construction logistics.
Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of current Microsoft Office 365, use of Macintosh, Asset Management systems (e.g., eMaint, Synergy), and Building Automation Systems (BAS).
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead small to mid-size capital projects from inception to completion.
Education: 2-year associate degree required in: Facilities Management, Maintenance, or Engineering. A 4-year bachelor’s degree in same fields of expertise preferred.
Knowledge and experience of working within city and state requirements.
Extent of Public Contact
Frequent internal communication with all levels.
Physical Demands
Moderate to high exposure to physical risk.
Good physical condition is required.
Ability to drive between campuses.
Ability to lift 50 lbs without assistance.
Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.
The physical activity of this job includes climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crawling.
Available for "on-call" emergency response during evenings and weekends.
Direct Reports
This position is department team-lead for Facilities, Maintenance, Cleaning, Landscaping, and Mailroom.
Vendors, Contractors.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Specific Duties and Responsibilities Spiritual & Cultural Leadership
Mission Integration: Actively model the Highlands College L.I.F.E. (Leadership, Integrity, Faith, Excellence) culture and support the spiritual formation of students.
Team Mentorship: Lead the facilities and custodial staff through a lens of ministry, fostering a culture of prayer, servant leadership, and professional growth.
Stewardship: Manage the College’s physical resources ensuring environments facilitate life-change and academic focus.
Core Responsibilities
Campus Maintenance & Operations: Direct the maintenance, repair, and longterm upkeep of all buildings and systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and structural) on campus. All buildings on campus: academic buildings, student housing, Church of the Highlands-Grandview, and dining facilities, etc.
Capital Projects: Develop short and long-term asset management plan to ensure facilities remain at Class A standards and condition including coordination of smaller construction projects, vendor selection, procurement, adhering to government regulations and standards.
Safety & Security: Serve as Facilities and Maintenance expert for mechanical emergency response planning and procedures.
Financial Stewardship: Develop and manage departmental budget, prioritizing cost-effective energy solutions and capital reserve planning.
Vendor Management: Negotiate and audit high-value service contracts for groundskeeping, janitorial services, and specialized technical repairs.
Other Duties
Participate in ministry at Church of the Highlands and Highlands College by leading small groups.
Affirm and uphold the Statement of Faith and the Core Values and DNA of the College, exemplifying all by word and lifestyle.
Represent the department in executive meetings, board updates, and cross functional planning.
Lead emergency preparedness efforts for weather, outages, and campus disruptions.
Collaborate with other campus departments to support academic, residential, and event needs.
Provide leadership and representation for facilities projects during design, construction, or renovation phases.
Leadership Requirements
Provide leadership to facilities, maintenance, cleaning, and mailroom teams.
Lead and develop teams to effectively reach departmental goals and productivity levels.
Influences others using rational arguments. Identifies basis for compromise and reaches an agreement.
Communicate accurate information in a timely manner and effectively using the most appropriate methods.
Set clear objectives, inspiring and encouraging high performance in teams and individuals to meet goals of Highlands College.
Reviews progress achieved, publicly and privately recognizing achievement.
Anticipates the possible demands and outcomes of a particular task or situation – plans and prioritizes appropriately.
Lead with clarity, accountability, and missional alignment.
Recruit, mentor, and retain all levels of proficient team members.
Establish clear standards, SOPs, and expectations for work quality, safety, and communication.
Promote professional development and trade specialization pathways across the team.
Anticipate long-term campus needs and proactively communicate plans to executive leadership.
Qualifications Personal Characteristics
A consistent, professional testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and alignment with the values of Highlands College and Church of the Highlands.
Demonstrates a genuine interest in supporting others, coaching, and training to improve performance.
Encourages the contribution of others and takes their views into account.
Highly focused, self-started with an elevated level of energy and positive outlook.
Ability to remain resilient under pressure and effectively adapt to multiple demands, ambiguity, and rapid change.
Strong commitment to excellence, efficiency, and inquisitive.
Visionary and strategic thinker with operational instincts.
Can balance long-term vision with daily execution.
High integrity, trusted presence on campus, and committed to stewardship.
Essential Traits and Abilities
Analytical skills
Problem Solver
Team Builder & Coach
Action-orientated
Initiative
Customer Service
Calm under pressure
Knowledge
Experience: A minimum of 5 years' experience required as a Director of Facilities or Engineering at a Class A facility or upper-luxury hotel/resort with a progressive track record in managing a complex campus or multi-site ministry environment.
Knowledge: Expert level knowledge in at least 2 related trade skill certifications required: HVAC, Electrical, Mechanical, General Contracting. Has a general understanding of most/other trade skills: plumbing, carpentry, water treatment, construction, cleaning, etc.
Deep knowledge of building systems, life safety standards, CMMS usage, and facilities regulations.
Familiarity with higher education operations, residential facilities, and construction logistics.
Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of current Microsoft Office 365, use of Macintosh, Asset Management systems (e.g., eMaint, Synergy), and Building Automation Systems (BAS).
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead small to mid-size capital projects from inception to completion.
Education: 2-year associate degree required in: Facilities Management, Maintenance, or Engineering. A 4-year bachelor’s degree in same fields of expertise preferred.
Knowledge and experience of working within city and state requirements.
Extent of Public Contact
Frequent internal communication with all levels.
Physical Demands
Moderate to high exposure to physical risk.
Good physical condition is required.
Ability to drive between campuses.
Ability to lift 50 lbs without assistance.
Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.
The physical activity of this job includes climbing, stooping, kneeling, and crawling.
Available for "on-call" emergency response during evenings and weekends.
Direct Reports
This position is department team-lead for Facilities, Maintenance, Cleaning, Landscaping, and Mailroom.
Vendors, Contractors.
#J-18808-Ljbffr