Position Summary

The Director of Facility Operations and Planning provides university-wide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all facilities, infrastructure, and long-range capital planning. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, this role ensures the University’s physical environment is safe, functional, sustainable, and aligned with institutional priorities, student success, and institutional growth. The Director leads comprehensive facilities operations, capital planning, and construction activities while exercising fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and workforce leadership.

Duties/Responsibilities 

Strategic Facilities and Capital Planning
• Lead campus master planning and facilities planning initiatives in alignment with institutional
strategy, enrollment trends, and academic programming.
• Translate academic, student success, and workforce development priorities into actionable facility
and infrastructure plans.
• Develop capital renewal, deferred maintenance, and modernization strategies.
• Prepare project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and funding justifications for executive
leadership and governance review.

Facilities Operations and Maintenance
• Provide oversight of buildings, utilities, grounds, custodial, maintenance, and distribution services.
• Ensure facilities consistently support teaching, learning, research, and student life activities.
• Implement and monitor preventive and predictive maintenance programs to extend asset life and
reduce operational risk.
• Administer waste disposal, recycling, and environmental services operations.
• Direct management of the University and USI Foundation rental properties and farmland.

Capital Project and Construction Management
• Direct the planning, design, and execution of capital projects and major renovations.
• Serve as the University’s primary representative with architects, engineers, consultants, and
contractors.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable codes,
standards, and institutional requirements.
• Maintain and enforce campus design, construction, and space standards consistent with
University branding and values.

Budget, Financial, and Asset Management
• Develop, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets, including forecasting long-term
infrastructure reinvestment needs.
• Identify cost-saving, efficiency, and value-engineering opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with State of Indiana regulations and University financial policies related to
capital and operating funds.
• Present capital planning, project status, and financial updates to senior leadership and the Board
of Trustees.

Compliance, Safety, and Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes related
to facilities management, safety, and construction.
• Oversee inspections, audits, and required public reporting.
• Proactively manage facility-related risk in collaboration with Risk Management and Environmental
Health and Safety.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety, accountability, and regulatory compliance.

Sustainability and Energy Management
• Lead campus energy management, conservation, and sustainability initiatives.
• Monitor utilities consumption, system performance, and energy costs.
• Support resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible building and infrastructure
practices.

Leadership, Staffing, and Performance Management
• Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, discipline, and terminate facilities staff in accordance with
University policies.
• Design efficient organizational structures, staffing models, and workflows to support operational
excellence.
• Establish performance expectations, accountability standards, and continuous improvement
practices.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.
• Champion change management and modernization efforts.

Campus and Community Engagement
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to align facilities services with institutional
needs.
• Communicate proactively regarding projects, maintenance activities, and operational impacts.
• Coordinate with local governments, utilities, emergency services, and external agencies as
required.

Emergency Preparedness and Continuity
• Collaborate with USI Public Safety and other stakeholders to support emergency response and
disaster preparedness planning.
• Serve as a key advisor during campus emergencies related to facilities and infrastructure.
• Ensure resilience and continuity of critical infrastructure systems.
• Participate in institutional business continuity and emergency management planning.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations, capital
planning or construction management within large, complex organizations, including at least five
(5) years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and capital
project delivery.
• Senior-level working knowledge of engineering principles, building systems, plant operations, and
construction management.
• Working knowledge of skilled trades, occupational safety standards, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, summarize, and present complex data and to interpret technical
plans and drawings.
• Proficiency with facilities planning, design, and asset management software (e.g., AutoCAD or
equivalent).
• Proficiency with standard productivity, presentation, and data analysis tools.
• Strong problem-prevention, problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Master’s degree in related discipline.
• Experience in facilities management within higher education.
• Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) or equivalent professional certification.

Functional Requirements

• Frequent on-site presence across campus facilities and work locations to oversee operations, assess conditions, and monitor
work quality.
• Frequent independent visual assessments of facilities, infrastructure, and construction sites.
• Ability to use computer systems and software to retrieve information and prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and retrieve information from written materials, plans, and computer-generated reports.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI    

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Jeff Sickman, search committee chair, at jsickman@usi.edu.

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials by May 22, 2026.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Associate Director of Human Resources, Constance Hermann, at cjhermann1@usi.edu or (812) 461-5363. Contacting the Associate Director of Human Resources is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities