Associate Director for Operation and Maintenance

About the role

• Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions.
• Students at all University of Arkansas institutions will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for "Find Jobs for Students."
• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville students will view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for "Find Student Jobs at UAF."
• All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
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• Closing Date: 11/13/2026
• Type of Position: Facilities Management and Services
• Workstudy Position: No
• Job Type: Regular
• Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America)
• Sponsorship Available: No
• Institution Name: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu): Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

Department: Residential Facilities

Summary of Job Duties

The Associate Director of Residential Facilities - Operations and Maintenance serves as the second-in-command to the Director of Residential Facilities, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of University Housing and dining facilities. This position helps advance the department's mission by ensuring residential and dining environments are safe, functional, well-maintained, and supportive of the student experience.

Working collaboratively with the Director, departmental leadership, Facilities Management, and external partners, the Associate Director translates departmental priorities into effective maintenance programs, capital improvements, preventative maintenance strategies, and day-to-day operational plans. The position provides leadership and professional development for maintenance, skilled trades, project, and dining technical teams while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.

• The Associate Director manages 4 direct reports within a 40-person team and leads maintenance operations for 18 residential and 8 dining facilities, totaling approximately 2 million square feet.
• Responsibilities include maintenance planning and execution, project coordination, budget oversight, fleet management, regulatory compliance, vendor, and contract management.
• This role offers an opportunity to shape the long-term performance of a complex residential facilities operation, develop skilled teams, improve operational processes, and directly support the university's residential student experience.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to establish and maintain effective, collegial working relationships. This position is designated as weather essential and participates in the departmental on-call rotation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education

Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree

• At least five years of experience in building trades, facilities maintenance, construction, or a related field
• At least three years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience supporting facilities operations within a higher education or residential housing environment
• At least one year of experience managing maintenance programs, renovation projects, contracts, or operational budgets
• Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook, to support daily operations and communication

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of facility operations, maintenance planning, renovation and construction, building systems, utilities, personnel management, and budget administration
• Working knowledge of general building maintenance and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, building automation, and fire and life safety systems
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory and safety requirements, including OSHA standards and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes
• Ability to evaluate facility conditions, establish maintenance priorities, and develop preventative and predictive maintenance strategies
• Ability to interpret blueprints, technical specifications, construction documents, and building plans
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees while establishing clear expectations and promoting accountability
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, university departments, contractors, and external service providers

Qualification Equivalencies

Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the qualification listed above.

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume
• Optional Documents: Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information

• All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site
• Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry, Substance Abuse Testing

• The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community.
• We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment.
• Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.
• For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening.

Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

• Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.
• All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity

• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Standing, Talking
• Frequent Physical Activity: Repetitive Motion, Walking

Occasional Physical Activity

Balancing, Climbing, Crawling, Crouching, Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Stooping

Benefits Eligible

Yes