Senior Director of Facilities Operations

Senior Director of Facilities Operations

The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) is an organization driven by its mission to "Provide Excellent Facilities Services for Penn State."

OPP is seeking an experienced and business-oriented Senior Director of Facilities Operations to lead operational strategy, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day stewardship of Penn State’s facilities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President and Deputy Chief Facility Officer, this position provides senior-level oversight of operations and maintenance across University Park.

This role is designed for a leader who blends high-level operational expertise with business and financial acumen, regulatory leadership, and the ability to work across a complex university environment. The Senior Director will serve as the delegate authority for facilities-related permitting, regulatory submissions, environmental compliance documentation, and operational certifications. This position represents the university with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and ensures that OPP operations fully meet requirements related to environmental, utility, safety, and infrastructure compliance.

This leader will drive strategic decision-making, ensure operational excellence, lead multi‑unit teams, and ensure that Facilities Operations is aligned with university goals for reliability, capital project transitions, financial stewardship, and customer service.

• Provide executive leadership for operations across buildings, grounds, utilities, maintenance, work reception center, custodial, and infrastructure systems.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to ensure safety, reliability, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee utility distribution systems, including chilled and potable water, steam, electricity, natural gas, stormwater, and high‑voltage networks.
• Ensure organizational structures, staffing plans, and operating standards are optimized to meet University‑wide needs and goals.

• Serve as the delegated signatory for all facilities-related regulatory filings, permits, compliance reports, corrective actions, and environmental documentation.
• Represent Penn State in all formal interactions with federal, state, and municipal regulatory agencies.
• Ensure environmental compliance across utility systems, waste management, emissions, water treatment, and energy systems.
• Ensure compliance with permitting—including air, water, waste, energy, and building system requirements—and lead responses to audits, inspections, or enforcement actions.
• Direct the development of compliance strategy, monitoring systems, and internal controls.

• Lead budget development, forecasting, rate analysis, and operational financial planning for Facilities Operations.
• Ensure operational decisions are aligned with long‑term business strategies, sustainability targets, and the University’s institutional priorities.
• Approve major expenditures, contracts, and resource allocations across operational divisions.
• Champion continuous quality improvement, operational benchmarking, and performance analytics.

• Collaborate with Design & Construction, Commonwealth Services, Strategic Programs, Operational Technology, and Business Administration to ensure seamless transition of capital projects into operations.
• Partner with Strategic Programs on reliability‑centered maintenance programs, building renewal priorities, staffing levels, budget priorities, and deferred maintenance reduction strategies.
• Serve as an internal advisor to senior leadership on operational impact, regulatory requirements, and long‑term infrastructure needs.
• Communicate effectively with broad internal and external audiences, including senior executives, governing bodies, regulators, consultants, and community partners.
• Lead labor relations strategy for Facilities Operations, including contract administration, grievance resolution, and workforce guidance in partnership with HR and executive leadership.