At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Assistant Director - Facility Administration
Professional / Unclassified
LSUPBRC Admin - Facilities (Jerry C Blanchard (00009047))
LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Professional
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking an Assistant Director of Facility Administration.
The Assistant Director of Facility Administration provides leadership and operational oversight for facility support services, campus operations, and property management functions across the 222-acre campus. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and well-maintained facilities through coordination of maintenance operations, custodial services, vendor management, and daily operational support.
Working in a fast-paced environment, the Assistant Director oversees facility operations while supporting budget planning, resource management, and operational efficiency initiatives. The role contributes directly to the functionality, appearance, and long-term maintenance of campus facilities by managing priorities, coordinating services, and ensuring responsive support for operational needs.
Pennington Biomedical is located within a state-of-the-art research facility which consists of 11 major buildings, including 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities, and over 750,000 square feet of working space.
Major Responsibilities
Serves as assistant to the Director of Facilities assuming administrative responsibility in the areas of operations, customer service, maintenance, property management, and equipment.
Serves as the agency property manager, responsible for all tangible non-consumable moveable property owned by the agency; maintains copies of all correspondence, transmittals, annual printouts, letters of certifications, property acquisitions, property transactions, etc.
Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for facility operations and campus support services to maintain a safe, efficient, and well-functioning campus environment.
Directs and oversees daily operations for custodial services, fleet management, warehouse operations, inventory control, residence center management, and facility support functions to ensure operational excellence and high-quality service delivery.
Collaborates with departmental leadership on budget development, financial planning, expenditure monitoring, and responsible stewardship of departmental resources.
Manages the facility work order system and coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and operational support for campus buildings, infrastructure, equipment, grounds, and property assets.
Develops technical specifications, scopes of work, and procurement documentation for contracted services, major projects, equipment, furnishings, and facility improvements.
Manages vendor and contractor relationships to ensure compliance with contract requirements, quality standards, safety expectations, and timely service delivery.
Collaborates with campus leadership, departmental stakeholders, architects, contractors, and external partners to support institutional initiatives, operational needs, facility improvements, and campus safety efforts.
Ensures compliance with applicable safety standards, risk management practices, regulatory requirements, and operational procedures, including coordination of Office of Risk Management (ORM) reporting related to theft, property loss, and operational incidents.
Provides leadership, supervision, recruitment, training, performance management, and employee development for facility operations staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, and customer service excellence.
Supports strategic planning, process improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, service delivery, and facility functionality.
Serves as a primary liaison between Facilities Management and campus departments to ensure responsive communication, coordinated support services, and effective resolution of operational issues.
Perform additional operational, administrative, and leadership responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental and institutional objectives.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Industrial Technology, Public Administration, or a related field.*
Five (5) years of experience in facilities operations, maintenance management, business operations, or campus/facility support services, including supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience managing facility operations in a complex, multi-building environment such as higher education, healthcare, research, industrial, or commercial facilities.
Experience overseeing operational budgets, procurement processes, contract administration, and fiscal management.
Working knowledge of Louisiana public procurement laws, including Louisiana Title 38 public bidrequirements, or the ability to quickly acquire and apply such knowledge.
Experience developing technical specifications, scopes of work, bid documents, and managing vendor and contractor performance.
Proven leadership and staff management experience, including employee supervision, training, performance management, conflict resolution, and team development.
Knowledge of facility maintenance operations, preventive maintenance programs, work order systems, safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and operational demands in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
*Pennington Biomedical is committed to creating an inclusive space where our employees feel valued for their skills and uniqueness. If a candidate does not meet the minimum qualifications as listed, but has significant experience within the major job responsibilities, we welcome their application.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
None
Interested candidates should include a resume and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Professional references should be the name, title, company, and contact information from past employers. Professional references should include current or previous supervisors and/or coworkers. Personal references should not be considered for the reference check process. We will respect the request that we not contact a current employer. However, we will need to contact a prior supervisor if such a request is made.
A letter of application/cover letter is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.
May 28, 2026
June 13, 2026
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana For more information, visit PBRC
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to hrm@pbrc.edu
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu
