**Job Description** As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. **Housing & Food Services (HFS) has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Operations to join their team.** Housing & Food Services supports over 10,000 student residents and operates 40+ dining locations on campus. With a team of over 1,200 staff and students, HFS is dedicated to enhancing student life through teamwork and excellent service. In Housing & Food Services, our DEIB statement reads: HFS will become an organization that prioritizes inclusive workplace communities, centered on belonging and opportunity for all staff. All HFS staff must accept responsibility to identify and interrupt biases, privilege, barriers, and power dynamics. We challenge ourselves to engage in open dialogue, active listening, and empathic learning. **PURPOSE** Provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the management and operation of the Department’s physical environment and critical student services. This includes oversight of occupancy management, conference housing, facilities maintenance, and custodial services across residence halls, apartments, offices, dining facilities, and child care centers. The Director also leads the Department’s emergency management and sustainability programs, as well as other cross-functional initiatives and special projects. **RESPONSIBILITIES** Organizational Effectiveness (35%) + Provides leadership for conference services, desk services, occupancy management, and facilities operations, ensuring compliance with applicable University, state, and federal regulations. + Oversees the creation and maintenance of operational data, including resident occupancy and other metrics to support strategic decision-making. + Plans, develops, and manages implementation of operational goals and objectives for each functional area. + Identifies and facilitates opportunities for process improvement across Student and Desk Services, Conference Services, and HFS Facilities Services. + Directs the development and execution of custodial and maintenance programs to maintain a safe, high-quality environment that meets the programmatic and educational needs of the community. + Leads planning and execution of major operational milestones, including resident move-ins, move-outs, and building use priorities, through leadership of the HFS Operations Team. + Leads operational integration of new facilities, including warranty process management, preventive maintenance and lifecycle planning, and coordination of specialty systems. + Leads the department’s emergency management and sustainability programs, serving as liaison with campus partners in these areas. + Serves as the department’s liaison with campus departments to ensure cost-effective and consistent facility maintenance services, including collaboration with UW Facilities Services and UW Environmental Health and Safety. Strategic Planning (25%) + Develops and manages multiple unit operating budgets, including setting budget objectives and implementing revisions. + Identifies annual unit priorities, associated action plans, and measures of success. + Coordinates an operational strategy to maximize housing space utilization and revenue across the annual cycle. + Directs the development and implementation of the department’s occupancy plan to serve the highest number of students possible, generate revenue in alignment with projections, and support the Residential Life program. + Directs the planning and execution of the conference housing strategy, including sales, business growth, and operations management. + Participates in departmental strategic planning and supports execution of housing capital development plans. + Collaborates with university departments and external partners to oversee complex, high-priority projects. + Represents the department in the planning and delivery of major campus programs and initiatives. + Leads or supports cross-functional departmental initiatives and special projects that advance strategic priorities, improve operational effectiveness, or respond to emerging needs. + Develops and maintains relationships with key campus partners, including but not limited to Admissions, UW Facilities Services, Parent and Family Programs, University Police Department, Emergency Management, and Intercollegiate Athletics. Supervision (20%) + Supervises staff in conference services, student and desk services, and facilities services, ensuring productivity and quality. + Establishes staffing patterns, schedules, and performance standards for staff and programs. + Evaluates staff performance and provide coaching and feedback to support professional growth and success. + Ensures compliance with department and University personnel, payroll, and safety policies and procedures. Leadership (20%) + Identifies, articulates, and models values and behaviors that foster an organizational culture that is positive, productive, student-centered, and inclusive. + Serves as a member of the department’s senior leadership team. + Collaborates with other department units on planning and operational matters. + Cultivates and sustains effective relationships with campus and external partners. + Represents the department on University committees and lead or participate in internal committees and teams. + Performs other duties as assigned. **IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY** This position contributes to the University through: + Enhancing the quality of the student experience by maintaining facilities that support a safe and engaging living/learning environment. + Supporting risk management and mitigation by ensuring compliance with safety policies, procedures, and guidelines—including cleaning standards, project specifications, and environmental health and safety regulations. + Preserving and protecting over $1.5 billion in building replacement value through effective facilities management, while creating a safe environment for residents. + Strengthening the department’s fiscal health through responsible resource management. + Reducing health and safety risks through staff training on the proper use of products and equipment. + Supporting the financial health and stability of HFS as an auxiliary enterprise through strategic occupancy management and summer conference revenue generation. + Advancing University recruitment and enrollment objectives through the on-campus housing strategy and conference housing programs. **POSITION COMPLEXITIES** This position directs multiple distinct functional areas that interface with all other units within the Department and numerous University entities. It involves direct engagement with students, parents, and external clients. The role oversees a large, represented labor force operating 24/7, and manages technical functions, complex interdepartmental relationships, and a diverse campus portfolio totaling over 3.4 million square feet. The Director is responsible for leading the departmental emergency management program, which requires significant independent discretion in determining courses of action to protect life and property while ensuring continuity of service. This may include consultation and on-site response at any time, including outside of standard business hours. **WORKING CONDITIONS** This position maintains regular daytime office hours, Monday through Friday, with additional evening and weekend hours required to support special events and respond to emergencies. A hybrid work schedule of one to two days per week may be available, subject to supervisor approval and operational needs. **SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES** Direct supervision of three full-time professional staff: -Associate Director for Facilities Services 1 FTE -Assistant Director for Conference Services (Manager of Program Operations) 1 FTE -Assistant Director for Occupancy Management 1 FTE Indirect supervision of an additional 11 full-time professional staff, over 140 full-time classified staff including supervisors, skilled trades, custodial, and office workers, as well as over 80 seasonal employees. **REPORTS TO** Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Executive Director of Housing & Food Services **QUALIFICATIONS** + Bachelor's degree and five years of professional college/university housing management, facilities management, property management, strategic leadership, or related experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may substitute for these qualifications. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** + Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education administration, architecture, engineering, business administration, public administration, or related field + Ten years of experience in a leadership role + Strategic project management and execution of complex initiatives. + Oversight of safety programs, emergency response, and building access/security in residential environments. + Effective communication skills, including public speaking and professional writing. + Inclusive leadership and team development across diverse staff groups. + Financial forecasting, budgeting, and occupancy management using data systems. + Knowledge of building operations and maintenance, with familiarity in residence hall operations and student life needs. + Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. + Ability to research and apply national trends and best practices to operational and strategic areas. + Completion of FEMA Incident Command System Training: ICS 100, 200, and 700. **CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT** + A satisfactory outcome from the reference check processes, and education verification. **Compensation, Benefits and Position Details** **Pay Range Minimum:** $165,000.00 annual **Pay Range Maximum:** $165,000.00 annual **Other Compensation:** - **Benefits:** For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/ **Shift:** First Shift (United States of America) **Temporary or Regular?** This is a regular position **FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):** 100.00% **Union/Bargaining Unit:** Not Applicable **About the UW** Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. **Our Commitment** The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu . Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) . University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.