Director of Physical Plant

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Director of Physical Plant - Boca Raton, FL.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, the Director of Physical Plant provides strategic, administrative and operational leadership for maintenance, custodial, general facility infrastructure services and managed grounds across Florida Atlantic University’s campuses. Plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, safety, and sustainability of campus facilities, while supporting the University's academic, research, and community service missions.

The Director oversees multi-trade teams and service contracts, participates in capital project planning, and works collaboratively with university stakeholders to optimize resources, ensure regulatory compliance, and effective service delivery. Requires both administrative leadership and an active field presence to provide operational support, direction, and guidance to Physical Plant teams.

This position is designated as Essential Personnel.

Summary of Responsibilities

Operational and Systems Oversight

• Direct the administration, operation, maintenance, and performance of Physical Plant functions, including building maintenance and repair, general facility infrastructure, custodial services, managed grounds, and related operational services.
• Administer maintenance, custodial, and groundskeeping contracts, including vendor coordination, performance monitoring, issue resolution, and compliance with scope of work and regulatory requirements.
• Use CMMS data, service metrics, and other performance measures to manage corrective and preventive maintenance, evaluate service quality and workload, monitor internal and contracted service performance, and support continuous improvement and resource decisions.

Design, Construction and Capital Planning Support

• Collaborate in the planning and review of capital construction, renovation, and space modification projects to ensure maintainability, serviceability, and standards compliance and effective transition to Physical Plant operations.
• Develop and recommend Physical Plant maintenance, repair, renewal, and operational investment priorities based on facility condition, service requirements, lifecycle needs, operational risk, and resource demands.

Compliance, Standards and Technical Documentation, and Reporting

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of Physical Plant policies, standards, and ensuring alignment with applicable codes, regulatory requirements, institutional expectations, and evolving industry practices.
• Ensure required records, permits, inspections, performance or service logs, reports and submissions, and other documentation are accurate, current, and complete; lead or support related audits and inspections.
• Coordinate with responsible authorities, such as EH&S, to align Physical Plant operations with applicable safety, regulatory, and institutional requirements.

Budget and Resource Management

• In coordination with the Facilities Management Budget Office, develop and administer the Physical Plant operating budget, monitoring utility expenditures, service contracts, resource utilization, staffing resources, and other operating and financial requirements.
• Coordinate with the FM Business Office regarding chargebacks, procurement, contracts, and other business processes supporting Physical Plant operations.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and cost-effective service delivery while maintaining required service and performance standards.

Emergency Management and Resilience

• Lead Physical Plant emergency preparedness, response, continuity, and recovery for facility-related incidents, severe weather, and operational disruptions, in coordination with the Assistant Vice President, Engineering and Utilities, Emergency Management, and other University partners.

Customer Service and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Physical Plant on university, SUS, and state-level facilities and professional committees and working groups, as appropriate.
• Liaise with campus stakeholders regarding scheduled work and unplanned service interruptions that minimize disruption to campus operations.
• Coordinate with contracted service providers, internal FM divisions, and external partners to ensure high-quality service delivery and compliance with service-level agreements.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Direct and supervise Physical Plant personnel establishing performance expectations, accountability, and delegating responsibilities across engineering staff.
• Develop workforce capability, succession readiness, technical expertise, licensure/certification, and cross-training necessary to support training, certification, and ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

FAU Benefits and Perks

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers:

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php

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Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience.


PREFERRED QUALIFCATIONS
University experience preferred.

Salary:

$140,000 Annually.

Exempt Administrative, Managerial, Professional (AMP)

College or Department:

Facilities Management

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Application Deadline:

2026-11-29

Special Instructions to Applicant:

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Resume
Cover letter

OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at [email protected]. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.