Washington University in St. Louis

Assistant Zone Manager

Join a high-caliber team of facilities management and maintenance professionals in a resource-rich environment at Washington University in Saint Louis!

KEY DUTIESAs an Assistant Zone Manager at Washington University in Saint Louis (“WashU”), you will sit on a high-caliber team of experienced facilities leaders within the University’s Facilities Planning & Management Division. This position supports the Zone Manager and represents an opportunity to gain the experience and knowledge necessary to fully manage a zone.

Reporting to the Zone Manager, you will work closely to help direct and triage work requests, oversee third party vendors and outside contractors, and provide day-to-day assistance and guidance to a team of skilled technicians within your campus zone. Ensuring that campus facilities within the zone are maintained to the highest standards while addressing the needs of a wide range of campus stakeholders is your core mission.

• SUPPORT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT WITHIN CAMPUS ZONE | Assist the Zone Manager in overseeing a portion of campus to ensure top-notch facilities management. From touring zone and project sites daily, aiding in project inspections for code compliance and quality standards, supporting planned maintenance and building systems, you will collaborate with contractors and oversee the contracting process ensuring terms are met. 

• TECHNICIAN SCHEDULING/MANAGEMENT & TEAM CULTURE | Help lead and motivate an internal team of 10-15 union technicians across multiple skilled trades. Assist in implementing required procedures and documentation for zone personnel including project bidding and accounting, working with local governing authorities to ensure code compliance, certifications, and permits are in order. Help Zone Manager prioritize and delegate tasks to internal and contract technicians, inspect work for preventative maintenance, continuous improvement, and unexpected and emergency projects.

• PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE | Serve as a liaison between the campus community and the Facilities Planning & Management Division. Ensure excellence in customer service through regular meetings with campus stakeholders (faculty, staff, and students) and by attending OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) meetings. Address concerns, solicit feedback, manage expectations, and communicate identified solutions in a timely and professional manner.

• PROJECT MANAGEMENT |The Assistant Zone Manager will manage capital improvement projects from conception to implementation. Additionally, the role involves assisting the Zone Manager in identifying potential and necessary Capital Renewal projects including preparing and submitting bid documentation for these improvements (purpose, scope of work, and budget proposals). The Assistant Zone Manager may also manage these projects, utilizing internal resources whenever possible.

WHY JOIN US?

• JOIN A HIGH-CALIBER TEAM – Join a team of experienced, senior-level facility leaders. Partner closely with other zone managers to leverage shared learnings, resources, and self-performing talent to achieve success.
• EXCEPTIONAL FACILITIES & GREEN INITIATIVES – Work within exceptionally maintained new and historic facilities and with cutting-edge technology to support academic research and university operations. Support digitally controlled building systems, retro-commissioning drive systems, and carbon footprint reduction.
• ENJOY ROBUST UNVERSITY BENEFITS – Enjoy exceptionally competitive benefits. Choose from multiple health plan options, plus vision, dental, prescription drug coverage, fertility treatment/AI, and access to both a primary care practice and dedicated mental health services available only to WashU employees-families. Choose from multiple tax savings accounts: FSA, HSA, RMSA. Enjoy life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability plans; 403(b) retirement savings plan with escalating match after 2 years; tuition assistance for employees, spouse-domestic partner, and children. Enjoy paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and sick days; employee assistance program; long term care options; adoption benefits; back-up childcare; nursing rooms; access to U City Children’s Center; WashU’s Family Center; and caregiver-parental leave programs.
• ENJOY A VIBRANT CAMPUS CULTURE – Campus life offers great perks, including campus recreational facilities, the Edison Theatre, Whittemore House MeMecmbership Club, and a cashless system for campus purchases. Enjoy diversity and inclusion initiatives and affinity groups; employer-assisted housing programs; employee newsletters; leadership coaching, career counseling and volunteer opportunities. 

IS THIS A MATCH FOR YOU?

• Minimum of 2-5+ years facilities management and maintenance experience, including oversight or team lead for a skilled and/or multiple skilled trades: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, etc.
• Prior experience managing project budgets and vendor oversight. Familiarity with bidding processes and experience vetting general contractors and subcontractors are a plus.
• Knowledge of building and systems, including MEP, envelope and infrastructure. Knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and permit processes is preferred.
• Exceptional communications and customer service skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders including technicians, staff, faculty, and students.
• Proven ability to create a positive and collaborative work environment. You prioritize and delegate effectively; you recognize and apply individual strengths to promote fairness, quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Solid technical and technology skills including experience with work order systems such as CMMS. You bring solid technical know-how and are comfortable reading building blueprints, drawings, and project sketches.
• Four-year degree is required. Degrees in engineering, architecture, or construction management ideal yet not required. LEED AP or P.E. certification a plus.

WORK LOCATION / TRAVEL / ON-CALL

This position is based on-campus (M-F) in St. Louis, Missouri. Occasional emergency and on-call responsibilities may require your attention and management during evening and weekend hours. Relocation stipend available.

READY TO APPLY?

Posting reflects possibility of multiple openings as well as opportunities at the Zone Manager level.

To apply, share your resume with Occhio Search & Recruitment. Visit www.occhiosearch.com or contact Elly Richards at elly@occhiosearch.com for more information. All resumes, referrals and general inquiries will be held strictly confidential. We ask that you direct all questions, referrals, and applications to our retained search consultant at Occhio. No direct inquiries with Washington University in St. Louis, please.

Washington University in Saint Louis seeks individuals from diverse backgrounds to join a supportive environment that encourages boldness, inclusion, and creativity. Washington University in Saint Louis welcomes differences in form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and veteran status. We welcome your application!