Facility Manager
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
This position works closely with building occupants, departmental stakeholders, Facilities Services maintenance and custodial teams, Transportation Services, Environment Health & Safety (EHS), Space Management, Facilities Planning and Development (FPD), and building occupants to coordinate maintenance, custodial services, inspections, minor repairs, space usage needs, and operational improvements. The Facility Manager serves as the first point of contact for facility-related concerns within their assigned portfolio and ensures timely communication of issues.
Facility Managers report to the Assistant Director of Facilities Services and operate with moderate latitude for daily operational decisions within established policies and procedures. This position requires the operation of work issued vehicles.
KU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.Job DescriptionBuilding Operations and Facility Management (35%)
- Conduct routine interior and exterior building inspections to identify maintenance, custodial, safety, and operational issues.
- Document deficiencies and building conditions; submit, track, and follow up on work requests using the university’s computerized maintenance management system (e.g., Maximo).
- Coordinate with Facilities Services trades and monitor preventive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance to ensure timely, quality completion and occupant satisfaction.
- Identify emerging facility needs and proactively recommend solutions to support building performance and operational health.
- Serve as the primary Facilities Services representative for assigned buildings.
- Assist with communication and occupant coordination of repairs, renovations, and improvement projects – as directed by FS and/or FPD.
- Support safe, clean, and reliable building operations in alignment with university standards.
- Provide excellent customer service to faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for building occupants regarding facility concerns.
- Communicate clearly and professionally regarding maintenance activities, timelines, and service disruptions.
- Build positive working relationships with departments and campus partners.
- Escalate complex, unresolved, or sensitive issues to the Assistant Director as appropriate.
- Support a culture of accessibility, responsiveness, and campus stewardship.
- May coordinate some AV, lobby displays and minor IT troubleshooting.
- Assist with deferred maintenance identification and documentation.
- Support safety initiatives and compliance with university policies and procedures.
- Coordinate all space usage and occupancy change requests with the Office of Space Management for consideration. Assist occupants with navigating approved space changes and new occupant building and space orientation. Works within KU’s space management and space use policies.
- Assist with conducting routine space inventories and participate in the annual space survey.
- Ensures occupants are complying with KU’s modification of university property policy.
- Keeps track of departmental and university assets in the assigned facilities. Communicates changes and coordinates updates as needed.
- Establishes, coordinates and communicates facility rules and pertinent schedules.
- Maintains inventory control functions including vendor management, purchasing, billing, reconciliation and collections.
- Manages shipping/receiving, dock equipment and export control as needed.
- Identify and report safety hazards, code concerns, and compliance issues.
- Serve as the Chair of the Facility Safety Committee and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
- Assist with initial response to facility emergencies during assigned shifts and participate in on-call rotation as required.
- Coordinate with EHS, emergency responders, and Facilities Services during urgent situations.
- Maintains inventory control including hazardous material and chemical records as needed.
- Assist with lab safety issues in coordination with EHS.
- Assists occupants with key and access control systems for assigned facilities in coordination with departmental and operations stakeholders.
- Understands and coordinates emergency response planning and communication. Acknowledges alarms (including after hours) and may be required to respond on site depending on the severity of the issue.
- Assist the Assistant Director with special projects, inspections, or initiatives.
- Backup support for other facilities as needed. May rotate with other Facility Managers – with appropriate training, documentation and support.
- Operate KU-issued vehicles to transport self and materials between work sites.
- Support continuous improvement efforts within Facilities Services.
- May supervise student administrative staff.
- Valid driver’s license at time of hire and throughout employment.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of temperature and weather conditions.
- Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, climb ladders or stairs, and traverse campus terrain.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with or without accommodation.
- Ability to travel through utility tunnels and mechanical spaces as required.
- Understands, responds to, and communicates critical alarms and alerts from the facility. May be required to respond after hours to critical emergencies.
- High School diploma or GED equivalency and nine (9) years of experience in facilities management, maintenance or a related field OR a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education, Communications, Facilities Management or a related field and five (5) years of experience in facilities management, maintenance or a related field.
- Strong written communication skills as demonstrated through application materials.
- Experience working in customer-facing or service-oriented roles.
- Experience in a large institutional or academic environment.
- Experience conducting facility or building inspections.
- Experience with automated work order and asset management systems as evidenced by application materials.
- Strong verbal communication skills as demonstrated through interview and references.
- Knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, and campus operations as evidenced by application materials.
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Cover letter addressing how the required and, if applicable, preferred qualifications are met
- Contact information of 3 professional references.
Application review began Friday, October 9th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsRyan Forshee rforshee@ku.eduAdvertised Salary RangeStarting at $62,000Application Review BeginsFriday October 9, 2026Anticipated Start DateMonday November 2, 2026Apply to Job
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert