New Jersey Regional Director, Facilities Management & Operations

About the role

This position defines the facility strategy for the New Jersey region and owns end-to-end execution of all facility initiatives. The role ensures schools remain safe, compliant, and operational while guiding facilities teams through complex regulatory and operational requirements. The director translates campus needs into actionable plans for every building system and supports the region's academic mission through operational excellence. They are responsible for the oversight of critical infrastructure and must lead the team in executing best-in-class maintenance and preventive maintenance plans across all sites. This leader ensures facilities teams consistently meet high standards of execution and compliance while managing the repair, maintenance, and continuous operation of all building systems. The role requires developing and overseeing systems to respond quickly to all facility emergencies and ensuring business continuity.

Location and Engagement

This position is based in Newark, New Jersey, and operates on a full-time basis. The role requires travel between multiple campuses across the region.

Compensation

The full compensation range for this role is $127,800-$159,700. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $135,700. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed. Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because the organization values internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.

What you'll do

The New Jersey Regional Director of Facilities Management and Operations develops and maintains comprehensive knowledge of the region's building portfolio to ensure alignment with strategic goals. This role leads the facilities team in executing preventative and corrective maintenance plans that optimize the longevity and performance of assets. The director ensures facilities teams consistently meet high standards of execution and compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. Responsibility for the repair, maintenance, and continuous operation of all building systems falls within this role, requiring constant vigilance and proactive management. This includes fire and life safety systems, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, lighting controls, digital systems such as fire alarm and CCTV security, and elevator controls to ensure reliable and safe operation. The role requires developing and overseeing systems to respond quickly to all facility emergencies, coordinating responses to minimize disruption. The director coordinates and documents all required governmental inspections and ensures buildings comply with local, state, and federal regulations, maintaining required documentation on file. Team leadership and communication are central to this position, as the director owns and monitors a work-ticket system that prioritizes and responds to all requests from school operations staff, assigning tickets appropriately to facilities team members. They develop transparent reporting systems of ticket response, keeping all stakeholders informed of progress and resolution. Regular meetings with school operations staff are established and led, with clear agendas, notes, and follow-up actions to ensure accountability. The director stays informed of facilities challenges across the region and coordinates responses as needed to maintain operational integrity. They institute clear calendars and expectations for all facility-related workstreams, including summer and break activities, to minimize disruption to the academic calendar. Financial management is a core duty, requiring the development of annual maintenance and operating budgets for all buildings based on historical and projected facility needs, while monitoring spend to ensure it remains within budget. The role manages the work of the accounts payable associate concerning Purchase Order creation and invoice approval, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The director ensures compliance with New Jersey procurement guidelines and establishes regular financial reporting practices while identifying financial risks for escalation. They also develop and oversee bid processes for maintenance contracts and build a network of compliant vendors to support regional needs. For capital projects, the director develops an ongoing list of needed capital projects across the region and works with the Home Office Real Estate and Facilities team to compile an annual prioritized list. They coordinate site visits with school directors of operations to understand facility needs and communicate planned repair work, managing related communications with Real Estate and Facilities and school operations teams to ensure alignment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is mandatory for this role.
• Candidates must possess 7+ years of progressive experience in architecture, construction, construction project management, facility management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with key building systems, including HVAC, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing, is essential for success.
• Knowledge of OSHA and Life Safety codes is required to ensure workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
• Computer skills to operate Building Management Systems (BMS) are necessary; proficiency with Microsoft Office is expected for daily tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with the ability to speak and write clearly and adjust messaging for different audiences.
• Ability to build new systems, multitask, set and drive priorities, and monitor progress toward goals is essential for managing complex responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are mandatory traits for this position.
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills are required to solve complex operational challenges.
• Availability to address emergencies as they arise (24/7 as needed) is a non-negotiable requirement of the role.
• Ownership of a personal vehicle for travel between campuses is required to perform duties effectively across the region.
• Ability to pass a criminal record history check from the Department of Education is mandatory for employment.

Nice to have

• Master's degree, preferably in architecture, planning, or a related field, is preferred for advanced strategic planning.
• New Jersey low-pressure black seal boiler, HVAC, or other relevant certifications, training, or licenses are preferred to demonstrate specialized technical knowledge.
• Experience with data-driven decision-making and financial forecasting is preferred to enhance budgeting and operational efficiency.

Practical notes

The position requires travel between multiple campuses across the New Jersey region. Emergencies may require after-hours availability. This role requires a personal vehicle for regional travel. A successful candidate must pass a criminal record history check from the Department of Education prior to employment.