Manager or Director, Custodial & Grounds Operations (Facilities Maintenance)

Division: Finance and Administration

Department: Facilities – Grounds

Work Arrangement type
On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range
Manager $80,000-$95,000/ Director $95,000-$100,000

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (required for either level)

• Demonstrated progression of responsibility in grounds, custodial, or facilities operations, including experience supervising staff and managing budgets.
• Experience supervising union staff and applying collective bargaining agreements to day-to-day staffing, scheduling, and performance decisions.
• A proven track record of building maintenance or operations plans and execution, using scheduling or project management software to keep work on track.
• Experience hiring, coaching, and managing performance for a team,

including fair, well-documented decisions.

• Experience managing a budget and working with vendors or contractors.

Additional Qualifications for Director-Level Consideration

• Experience independently negotiating vendor and contractor agreements.
• Experience leading both grounds and custodial functions, or leading through supervisors across more than one function at once.
• A track record of setting multi-year operating plans and operating with a high degree of autonomy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience overseeing both grounds and custodial functions.
• Familiarity with landscaping techniques and best practices.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in facilities management, horticulture, business, or a related field, or a combination of relevant education and progressive hands-on experience.

Certifications

A current valid driver’s license, in accordance with the University’s Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Use Policy is required.

Offer Determination

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Responsible for following all procedures to conduct work activities in a safe manner including but not limited to wearing PPE required for specific duties and safe handling of chemicals as outlined by University policies and/or the supervisor. Responsible for immediately reporting any unsafe conditions to the supervisor and/or Environmental Health and Safety.

Other Information

This position is deemed essential under the University’s Essential Personnel Policy.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.

Department Statement

It is the mission of the Facilities Department at Colgate University to create the safest, cleanest, and most comfortable environment that further distinguishes Colgate University as a world-class educational institution. We work hard as part of a unified team, to make everyone who arrives on campus feel welcomed.

“One team, one mission”

The Facilities Department provides the physical environment, utilities, and facilities support services necessary to promote the educational and research activities of the university. To ensure quality service to our community, we provide strong coordination and communication between multi-functional groups and our customers, with a customer-oriented approach. Training and development of self-directed teams promotes a work environment that encourages employee initiative, engagement and development.

Accountabilities

Accountabilities (both levels)

• Coaches, develops and supports grounds and/or custodial leadership,

helping them build teams that take pride in their work.

• Partners with grounds and/or custodial supervisors to keep campus grounds, buildings, athletic fields, and outdoor event spaces safe, well-kept,

and up to community standards.

• Sets clear expectations for regular grounds and building inspections, follows up with supervisors on fixes, and proactively catches safety and maintenance issues.
• Coaches supervisors through hiring, scheduling, and disciplinary decisions,

ensuring alignment with Colgate’s union agreements and employment law.

• Builds strong working relationships across campus, so other departments view grounds and custodial services teams as responsive, trusted partners.

Additional Accountabilities at the Director Level

• Oversees both grounds and custodial functions together, coordinating supervisors across both so campus events run smoothly and setup/cleanup don’t disrupt the rest of campus.
• Builds a clear operating plan and manages spending across both departments, staying within budget while maintaining the campus standards our community expects.
• Negotiates vendor terms independently and holds vendors to Colgate’s standards, so contracts and equipment purchases are cost-effective and dependable.

Requisition Number: 2026S071Posting

Temporary: No

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7a-3:30p – with some evenings/weekends needed for snowstorms, emergencies, and big campus events.

Tagged as: Employment