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.

Department Summary:

Student Life Facilities (SLF) partners with Housing, Dining, University Unions, Recreational Sports, and other units within Student Life to provide exceptional residential, recreational and learning experiences for students at the University of Michigan.  There are approximately 290 employees working in Student Life Facilities that support a building and infrastructure portfolio consisting of 3 university unions, 9 residential dining halls,19 residence halls, and more than 1500 apartments for graduate students and their families.  Student Life Facilities is comprised of 5 lead managers who have distinct roles in Daily Operations, Capital Projects, Skilled Trades, and System Management with all members striving to fulfill the vision of providing facilities that create community while being world class in appearance, affordable to the students, sustainable to the earth, and 100% reliable to the user.

Position Summary:

Serving under the Director of Student Life Facilities, the Associate Director is the primarily SLF point of contact to maintain and repair building infrastructure and serves as a Technical Authority for the configuration and maintenance activities for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing assets as well as the building envelope.  As repairs are required, the Associate Director and his/her staff assess and determine if repairs are best performed by internal Student Life Maintenance staff and Trades Staff, the University's Facilities & Operations staff or external contractors.

The Associate Director directly  supervises four Area Maintenance Coordinators (AMC) who are responsible for creating, budgeting, and administering approximately $1.8M of operational projects throughout the portfolio.  The AMCs provide guidance and support  to more than 35 maintenance mechanics that are assigned to individual buildings.  Accordingly, the AD shall have a thorough understanding of the skill sets and tasking of the maintenance mechanics to ensure that consistent methodologies and repair methods are employed.

The Associate Director is Student Life Facilities administrative lead to the University's computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) that directs Preventive & Corrective Work activities across all Student Life Facilities.  In addition, the Associate Director is responsible for creating and maintaining the data architecture within the CMMS to allow for the timely and accurate reporting of the equipment status within Student Life managed buildings including projects backlog and execution; facility condition reporting: and inventory management.  The Associate Director will systematically review the configuration of equipment throughout the portfolio, and then he/she makes recommendations and oversees initiatives to increase energy performance, reduce infrastructure varieties, and synchronize desired maintenance and repair projects with work orders and capital projects for the $2.5B building portfolio.  

The Associate Director is responsible for creating standards and policies for extracting the best value of deployed Building Automated Systems (BAS) which is operated by the University's Facilities and Operations Division which works under Business and Finance.  The Associate Director and staff is responsible for monitoring systems and dispatching appropriate personnel for irregular readings. The AD is responsible for coordinating SLF resources for performing Building Tuneups (aka retro commissioning), tracking the findings, and assigning resources to make repairs.  The Associate Director is the lead Student Life person for managing 3 chiller plants, industrial water quality, water softeners, and providing temporary cooling.

The Associate Director oversees one Administrative Assistant who assists in managing both financial and CMMS data.  The AD will coordinate with the Trades foreman and maintenance mechanics on a daily basis to schedule, monitor, and complete work orders.  

The Associate Director manages and monitors the warehouse operations, including maintaining inventory and  the timely ordering and supply of parts for Trade Members and Mechanics.

The Associate Director of Systems Management requires broad technical skills in the building trades, as well as administrative and data management expertise.  

This position supervises 6 FTE and oversees a budget of approximately $1.8M. These numbers may change over time.

Position Responsibilities (primary responsibilities and duties expected in this position totaling 100% allocation):

35% Daily Operations Leadership

Working closely with the operational unit, provide leadership for all activities related to contracted maintenance and repair of facility issues that generally cost $5K to $50K to make repairs.  Provide oversight to Student Life Facilities CMMS practices establishing preventative maintenance procedures and frequencies and ensuring that the assets and preventative maintenance practices are monitored and kept accurate.  Establish work management and controls in order to: optimize use of staffing, equipment, and materials; improve facilities and equipment maintenance procedures; schedule work activities; and dispatch personnel.  Maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and the public.  Assist in the development and implementation of a student centered work environment, collaborating with other areas of Student Life to develop supporting goals, objectives, policies and procedures that ensure a diverse, enriching student experience.

25% Strategic Planning

Address strategic planning, best practices, performance and service standards, work methods, technical support, administration of policies and procedures, and periodic inspections to audit success and conformance to standards.   Contribute to the SL Facilities Annual Report; analyze data and make recommendations for a broader Strategic Plan.

25% Staff Development and Training

Lead, teach and develop managers and staff to maximize potential.  Responsible for staff selection, training evaluation, promotion and discipline.  Create an environment of motivation, participation and opportunity for employee engagement.  Foster an environment that encourages accountability and helps  all staff to creatively solve and take ownership of problems. Encourage open communication and create an environment of inclusiveness, focusing on positive staff morale.  Assist in the development, implementation and coordination of effective and pertinent staff training in the operational maintenance and custodial arena, with specific focus on life safety.

10% Budget and Expense Oversight

Exercise Budget/Expense oversight in area of responsibility including salary/benefits, overtime, contracted services, procurement of supplies and equipment, and prioritization of operational projects. Assist in the management and strategizing of the annual budget. Oversee expenditure of university funds within the assigned area of responsibility. Assist the director in managing contracted services and repairs; providing needed documentation for bid processes and audits success of programs. Prepare plans and specifications for acquisition of supplies and equipment. Assists with the leadership oversight of project planning and sets priorities for operational projects related to building systems.

5% Other

Acts as liaison with other University service departments and community groups. Advisor to Director of Facilities.  Other duties as assigned.

The list must include the qualifications needed to be considered for this position.  

Education:  Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Management or a related field; or Journeyman Credentials; or  7 years equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience:  At least 5 years of experience working within Facilities Management of a large complex organization.

Knowledge:   Knowledge of building maintenance, heating, cooling, air conditioning, electrical systems and plumbing systems.  Knowledge of appropriate and cost effective preventative maintenance activities for building infrastructure.

Specialized Skills/Tools/Technology:  

• Significant experience with computer desktop applications including Microsoft Word,  Microsoft Excel, and the Google suite of office tools.
• Significant experience with commercial Computerized Management Maintenance System (CMMS), with insight on data architecture and providing accurate and insightful management reports.

Education:  Masters degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Management, or a related field; or Master Trades Credentials.

Professional Certification: APPA CEFP credential; Journeyman credentials; database management credentials

Experience:  At least 5 years of experience working within Facilities Management within Higher Education.  Knowledge of building automated systems (BAS), direct digital controls (DDC), and heavy tonnage refrigeration systems.

Knowledge:  

• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, federal and state laws that govern facilities management
• Experience writing scopes of work and negotiating contracts for work in place valued between $5 to $100K
• Experience developing and producing reports from a MS Access database.

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.

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.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

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

#studentlife

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

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

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively. 
   

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

The Associate Director has budgetary oversight of approximately $1.5 to 2 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 is an onsite position, but remote work may be allowed up to 3 days per month.

Physical Requirements:

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.
Ability to ascend/descend ladders.
This position requires inspection of sites.

Direct Reports:

This position supervises 4 Area Maintenance Coordinators, 1 Inventory Manager, and 1 Administrative Assistant.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.