Assistant Director Facilities Engineering - Enterprise Physical Operations

About this role

Location ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

 Scheduled Hours 40

Position Summary The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.

EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.

EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.

For additional information and to hear directly from members of our team, please visit: https://facilities.med.wustl.edu/Careers.

Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for engineering services, utilities, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, asset management, and capital planning activities across WashU's 28 million-square-foot research, clinical, and academic campuses.

Ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of critical building systems including HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, steam and chilled water systems, fire protection systems, elevators, and building automation systems. Leads managers and technicians, develops infrastructure strategies, supports capital investment planning, and partners with campus stakeholders to maintain an environment that supports world-class research, education, and patient care.

Serves as a member of the Facilities Management leadership team and contributes to long-term planning efforts that support current operational needs and future campus growth.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Engineering Operations & Infrastructure Management  • Directs the operation, maintenance, and reliability of campus mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, utility distribution, and building automation systems. • Ensures continuous, safe, and reliable operation of critical infrastructure supporting research, laboratory, clinical, and academic facilities. • Develops and implements maintenance strategies, operating procedures, and performance expectations. • Monitors system performance and operational metrics to identify risks, improves reliability, and maximizes asset life. • Leads root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to equipment failures, utility disruptions, and operational incidents. • Supports emergency response, incident command, and business continuity activities related to critical campus infrastructure.

Leadership & Staff Development  • Leads, mentors, and develops supervisors and technicians responsible for engineering and facilities operations. • Establishes department goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans aligned with organizational objectives. • Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement. • Supports workforce planning, succession planning, employee engagement, and technical competency development initiatives.

Capital Planning & Asset Management  • Assists in the development and implementation of deferred maintenance, infrastructure renewal, and capital improvement programs. • Prioritizes asset replacement and lifecycle investment strategies based on risk, reliability, and institutional needs. • Provides operational leadership and technical reviews for construction, renovation, utility, and infrastructure projects.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local building, environmental, fire and life-safety, utility, and engineering regulations. • Supports inspections, audits, accreditation reviews, and regulatory reporting activities. • Partners with Environmental Health & Safety and other stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks.

Financial & Resource Management  • Assists in developing and managing departmental operating and capital budgets. • Monitors expenditures, contracts, and resource allocation to ensure effective stewardship of university resources. • Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies, energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, and cost reduction.

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Planning  • Partners with university leadership, clinical partners, researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders to support infrastructure and facility priorities. • Communicates engineering initiatives, operational impacts, and facility improvements effectively to stakeholders. • Contributes to strategic planning efforts that support campus expansion, infrastructure resilience, and long-term operational excellence.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Job Location/Working Conditions • Normal office environment

Physical Effort • Stockroom or warehouse • High Noise environment • Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements • Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends) • Requires extensive safety Training • Exposure to moving machinery

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