Zone Manager

Department

Facilities Operations Management

About the Department

Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors and visitors.

Job Summary

The Zone Manager is responsible for all maintenance activities in an assigned zone and serves as the client’s main point of contact for strategic and daily facilities maintenance and operations.

Reporting to the AVP of Operations in Facilities Services (FS), the Zone Manager (ZM) performs highly skilled duties focused on the direct delivery of planned and preventative maintenance and technician equipment training, strategies, and initiatives. The ZM coordinates and advocates for facility needs related to assigned buildings including, but not limited to, preventative maintenance, capital renewal, security, health and safety, energy efficiency, and equipment maintenance. The ZM ensures environmental sustainability initiatives are integrated into all FS Operations and is integral in ensuring client service and other FS management support functions are met within the assigned zone. The ZM must have extensive experience in centralized building control systems (BAS) and the maintenance of HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other building systems for research laboratories, office space, and classroom space in multiple buildings. The ZM meets regularly with clients and is responsible for ensuring that the Operations unit is meeting or exceeding client expectations. The position will be accountable for minimizing impact on University faculty, students and staff by establishing productivity, service delivery and quality standards and creating a culture of pride, stewardship and surpassing expectations.

The ZM directly supervises 20+ maintenance personnel for assigned buildings. The ZM coordinates with the Work Control Unit, assists in the development of the 90-day preventative maintenance work plans, and supervises Steam Water Attack Team (SWAT) to implement the 90-day plans. The ZM conducts and coordinates staff and supervisory training, as needed. The ZM provides support to FS Capital Project Delivery and coordinates and directs FS Operations contractors performing work in assigned buildings to ensure the delivery of all facilities-related services. In collaboration with the leadership team, supports the creation and maintenance of strong working relationships with customers, peer service providers, external consultants and contractors.

The ZM assists other managers, supervisors, and FS leadership, as needed, and adheres to all safety practices and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise a work team providing maintenance and operations services to the assigned buildings ensuring timely delivery of facilities services requested by clients.

• Provides ongoing identification, research, design and implementation of control strategies for campus building HVAC systems to optimize energy and operational efficiencies.

• Assign and monitor work in progress and completed for quality and timeliness utilizing process based KPIs established and tracked in CMMS.

• Identifies maintenance needs and promotes a strong customer service orientation by establishing a performance culture resulting in strong communication and coordination among shops and other parts of FS.  Prioritizes work to be performed, balancing immediate needs with preventative maintenance.

• In coordination with the AVP of Operations, assist in hiring and provide performance reviews and associated training plans based on annual skills assessment for staff.

• Continually evaluate and review all operating processes for their effectiveness and efficiencies providing recommendations to the AVP of Operations for continual improvement.

• Work with AVP of Operations to develop long and short-range plans for development, maintenance, and expansion to support strategic mission of Facilities Services.

• Participates in setting and executing FS priorities and resource allocations to maximize client satisfaction.  Ensures that internal and external customers are educated about the maintenance process and represents maintenance on applicable committees.

• Monitor and enforce uniform, attendance, and employee conduct policies in a consistent manner. Evaluate staff for work completion, productivity, and client service.

• Understand and manage staff per appropriate union contracts and administer awards and recognition program based on established KPIs.

• Manage staff time in appropriate UChicago system to ensure all hours worked are accurately reported in CMMS.

• Serve as main point of contact for all facilities related work in assigned zone. Coordinate and advocate for facility related needs within assigned zone.

• Promote client service in conjunction with other University departments.

• In coordination with the AVP of Operations, create and maintain service level agreements that tailors service delivery to meet the client/departmental needs. Meet regularly with clients to ensure FS Operations is meeting or exceeding expectations.

• Promote stewardship of UChicago facilities. Responsible for all maintenance activities in assigned zone. May conduct, supervise or assist in inspections and provide feedback to appropriate personnel during skills assessment field observation and inspection of routine corrective maintenance work.

• Conduct monthly safety meetings. Monitor all staff for safe work practices and program compliance. Maintain up-to-date safety manuals and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation.

• Monitor and assure procurement and timely distribution of parts, supplies, tools, and equipment to work sites.

• Responsible for managing the annual operating budget that is defined in the zone business plan. Comply with all accountability measures defined by the AVP of Operations.

• Review reports both weekly and monthly to track team’s performance against established criteria and take corrective actions to achieve goals. Identify areas and processes that need improvement and implement solutions.

• Assist the Work Control Unit in review and revision of run-time based preventative maintenance programs for assigned zones.

• Provide direct support to the AVP of Operations in the development of annual zone business and budget plan including budget forecasting, development, management, and reporting.

• Achieves Maintenance Unit’s yearly financial objectives through planning, directing, controlling, implementing, evaluating, monitoring, and forecasting as needed.

• Respond promptly by phone or in person as appropriate to emergency situations and therefore must be available 24/7.

• Monitors inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems. Reviews and authorizes written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions.

• Develops facilities maintenance policies and procedures. Plans renovation and other facilities-related projects, including ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Receives requests for facilities services and supervises delivery of appropriate services.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, related field or relevant industry experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience managing facilities operations.

• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience.

• Experience with a unionized work environment.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have a valid IL driver's license and successfully complete the University's Motor Vehicle Records background check.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Budget management skills.

• Knowledge of relevant building systems and maintenance techniques.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as design drawings, safety guidelines, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals.

• Decision making skills.

• Organizational skills.

• Verbal and written communication skills.

• Client service skills.

• Demonstrated computer literacy in Windows environments including MS Word, Excel and Outlook. 

• Knowledge of CMMS, preferably IBM Maximo.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated strategic leadership skills.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment, set priorities and analyze complex factors to innovatively solve problems, think strategically, plan, negotiate and persuade. 

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and collectively as part of a team.

Working Conditions

• Attention to detail; ability to perform within deadlines, reading; confidentiality; problem solving; written and oral communication.

• Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity and be physically capable of strenuous activity over extended periods of time.

• Must be able to lift and move loads appropriate to job requirements and be able to bend and work in a kneeling position for periods of time.

• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders, be capable of working at heights as required, be able to enter and work within tight spaces, and be able to withstand hot and cold temperatures.

• Must be able to respond to emergency calls at any hour of the day and must be willing to work long or irregular hours when needed.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• List of References (required)

Job Family

Facilities Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$106,462.50 - $125,250.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.