Director Physical Plant

Industry: Facilities Management
Location: Tennessee - Chattanooga
Sector: Independent School
Search ID: 28-0805-93
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Jim Lord
Jim Lord
Matt Lesher
Matt Lesher

Description

Baylor School has retained Helbling, a ZRG company to conduct an executive search to secure a Director of Physical Plant.

Position Summary

Baylor School seeks an innovative and proven leader to serve as Physical Plant Director. The Director of Physical Plant plans, directs, and supervises general maintenance, custodial services, HVAC, electrical, grounds and motor vehicle functions and personnel for School operations. In addition, this position will assist in the management construction, renovation, and maintenance projects for the school. The Director works with the Chief Financial Officer to determine annual repairs and renovations projects and participates in the design of new facilities to ensure physical plant requirements are met. The Director plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates, through staff of skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled trade personnel, activities concerned with the operation, and maintenance of buildings, grounds, and vehicles of the school. The Director evaluates requests for major repairs, replacement or modification of facility systems and equipment, and determines the extensive of needs, corrective action to be taken, costs, feasibility, and priority. 

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the position profile by clicking on the cover image below.
 

Position Description

The Director will provide leadership and strategy development for all aspects of the Physical Plant Department operations and maintenance including managing contracts with external service providers, i.e., vendors, contractors, etc., and administer smaller maintenance projects. The Director will fulfill various administrative duties and other management requirements, as well as initiate the formulation of policies and procedures necessary for the accomplishment of responsibilities.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

  • Assure conformance to the school mission, goals, and objectives.
  • Assist the Chief Financial Officer with the establishment of priorities, management policies, procedures, and systems.
  • Initiate strategic planning activities, actively promote the Office of Physical Plant Strategic Plan.
  • Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
  • Establish policies and procedures to enhance departmental effectiveness and streamline   Decision-making.
  • Assist with the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan.
  • Provide leadership and strategy development for all aspects of the Physical Plant Department operations and maintenance.
  • Assist with the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan.
  • Provide leadership and technical expertise in issues relating to building and utilities maintenance and operations.
  • Oversee and direct the facility services functions for the school, including custodial, moving, and events support.
  • Provide leadership and technical expertise in the maintenance of grounds and long-range  landscape planning initiatives.
  • Ensure the School's installed fire protection and security systems meet legal requirements.
  • Collaborate with other members of the Chief Financial Officer and Finance team in the development of the strategy for remediation of deferred maintenance to be used in preparation of the Capital Plan.
  • Works to develop and update design standards to apply to both new construction and renovations. Ensures that the entire plant team is involved with new construction and remodels in the design, review of drawings, etc. 
  • Achieve a balance among the conflicting demands to both enhance the attractiveness of the campus and the quality of its facilities and infrastructure and constrain operating costs.
  • Meet the requirements of all Physical Plant customers.
  • Maintain appropriate relations with various campus functions and departments including Academic Affairs, Information Technology, Financial Administration, Alumni Relations, Enrollment Management, Res Life, Athletics, and various other areas.
  • Consult and interact with customers, internal departments and external consultants regarding facilities modification/repair/maintenance options, strategies and cost estimates and resolves problems and conflicts.
  • Coordinate with all department managers and supervisors and keep the appropriate reporting relationships informed of work plans and status of ongoing work.
  • Solicit recommendations for process improvements and develop plans for implementation.
  • Remains abreast of existing and emerging technologies, processes, products, services, and leading industry performance benchmarks.
  • Ensure compliance with the school, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
  • Oversee all functions of the daily operations of a multi-trade workforce active for all facilities on campus.
  • Develop, implement, and administer the departmental operating budget that includes salaries and benefits, utilities, supplies, and equipment. 
  • Provide short- and long-term manpower resource planning; direct personnel; evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions including employment, advancement, or termination.
  • Mentor all direct reports so that they may fully develop in their roles and responsibilities.
  • Motivate employees to meet strategic planning goals.
  • Identify training requirements, create a learning environment, and participate in training sessions and seminars.
  • Manage contracts with internal and/or external service providers (vendors, service providers, etc.)
  • Directs the operations and maintenance as well as analyzes and optimizes energy related equipment and related systems for peak energy performance.
  • Manages campus resources to ensure continuous delivery of reliable and energy efficient systems including heating, cooling, ventilation, and automated building control systems within the school.
  • Provide technical support for daily demand activities to resolve problems and issues to   maintain optimal efficiency and operations of energy systems to include boiler, chillers, and Building Automation systems.
  • Exercise careful financial management.
 

About Baylor School

Baylor School is a private, coeducational college-preparatory school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Founded in 1893, the school's current campus comprises 800 acres, with more than 50 buildings and 1 million square feet of maintainable space for the 2024-25 school year, Baylor enrolled 1137 young men and women, in grades 6-12, including boarding students in grades 9-12, 24% of whom lived on campus, as representatives of 25 states and 30 countries. 

Location

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Requirements

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization (Engineering, Architecture, Construction/Project Management) as a Physical Plant Director. 
  • Ten (10) years of experience as a Facilities Manager of significant Construction/Engineering projects at an institution of higher education or similar environment 
  • Extensive hands-on experience (5 or more years) in communicating, interacting, and training other facilities managers at all levels.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory compliance, preventive maintenance, and personnel  management.
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