Job Description

Job Location: Bethesda, MD 20817
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 Salary
Job Category: FacilitiesFounded in 1901, Holton-Arms School is a nationally recognized independent school for girls in grades 3–12 that encourages young women to approach the world with curiosity, courage, and a sense of responsibility to use their talents for the greater good. Rooted in a long legacy of excellence and guided by future-forward thinking, Holton offers a vibrant, purpose-driven learning environment where students, faculty, and staff bring deep engagement, spirit, and passion to their work.
The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. Students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from challenges, and build lifelong friendships—embodying the school’s motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (“I will find a way or make one”).
We seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests who share our passion for helping girls learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
Position Overview
The Holton-Arms School seeks an Assistant Director of Facilities & Operations to provide strategic direction, oversight and support for the management of all Holton-Arms School campus facilities, operations and grounds. The Assistant Director will manage the regular workflow and systems of the physical plant to provide the highest quality environment for safety, wellness and learning. The Assistant Director will also manage planning, design and construction efforts for new facilities, renovations and renewal/enhancement projects.
The Assistant Director of Facilities & Operations reports directly to the Director of Facilities & Operations and oversees the facilities team of managers for maintenance and engineering, operations and transportation and campus safety; a service response coordinator; and a staff of 25+ full- and part-time individuals, as well as outside contractors and vendors responsible for custodial services. The Assistant Director works closely with academic program leaders, constituent relations and events, and auxiliary programs (i.e. facility rentals, campus/summer camp programs, school store). The Assistant Director will manage in a collaborative manner working alongside the staff on a daily basis serving not only as a mentor but as contributing team member in order to effectively monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain consistency with best-in-class educational facility management practices in an efficient and economic manner, including financial and physical maintenance.
- Develop and implement strategies for efficient operation of safe and sustainable facilities and grounds in support of Holton-Arms School mission and financial goals.
- Strive for continuous improvement and innovation in facilities and grounds management and in departmental organization by setting appropriate standards and ensuring quality control.
- Manage construction, interior and exterior campus renovations, infrastructure replacement projects.
- Manage, coordinate, and exercise functional responsibility for facility management services within the campus, including building maintenance, grounds maintenance, athletic field and facility maintenance, event logistics, traffic and parking control, security, transportation and custodial services; and manages snow removal during snow events.
- Oversee work order system to ensure quality control and timely, cost-effective execution of all work orders; manage the Preventive Maintenance programs to ensure Preventive Maintenance is performed and documented as required.
- Maintain effective working relationships with operational teams (such as food service), faculty and staff, and within facilities team, with the overall objective of enhancing the educational experience of the students.
- Coordinate facility management reporting, including monthly accounting and regular operational updates.
- Remain engaged and aware of organizational needs (i.e., curricular, extracurricular, events and summer programs) in order to respond timely to any necessary changes in the delivery of Facilities Services.
- Manage monthly Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) (Brightly) reporting and tracking, and continuously analyze CMMS data to benchmark operations and drive improvement.
- Perform and document scheduled inspection of facilities, all building systems as needed for compliance (boilers, chillers, fire alarms, elevators, etc.)
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local environmental and safety regulations applicable to the facilities operations, including OSHA, etc.
- Develop and maintain a consistent department image by implementing staff-wide initiatives and producing a quality customer-service-oriented maintenance service.
- Represent the department by building relationships with all constituencies: faculty, administration, staff, parents, and students.
- Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; reviewing performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Identify training and development opportunities for individuals and the facilities, operations and security teams, reviews performance, provides mentoring and feedback and completes other administrative duties for direct reports and other members of the facilities team.
- Create and maintain a work environment that gives team members responsibility and authority to achieve goals, including encouragement of professional development through training, goal setting and performance evaluations, as well as delegation of responsibilities for independent work (as appropriate).
- Foster a strong service orientation and a culture of stewardship among a team of supervisors and employees. Conducts regular meetings to review service expectations, brainstorm, and problem solve.
- Responsible for on-site supervision of any operations staff working on unscheduled “school closed” days such as snow/severe weather days.
Financial Responsibilities
- Develops, submit and manage budgets for facilities, including operating and annual, long-term and project budgets, and tracks budget variances and adjusts spending as necessary.
- Develop a facilities maintenance plan and manage service contracts and vendor relationships to ensure that contractual obligations are met and expected benefits are realized.
- Document cost avoidance and savings.
- Plan and manage capital repair/renewal projects (quotable, deferred maintenance).
Competencies
- Demonstrated effective leadership and interpersonal skills: inspire respect, trust, and loyalty; motivate others to perform well; build positive team spirit; build relationships with diverse constituencies; model and instill a strong customer service ethic.
- Extensive knowledge of construction scheduling and cost estimating.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative/innovation, meet challenges with resourcefulness and develop alternative solutions/approaches.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Extensive knowledge of and commitment to sustainability initiatives.
- Ability to manage capital repair/renewal projects: develop, coordinate, and communicate project plans, setting realistic expectations and monitoring progress and results.
- Ability to respond and follow through on assignments/responsibilities in a timely manner and to work on multiple assignments with varying deadlines.
- Ability to objectively judge the quality of performance for staff and outside contractors.
- Ability and willingness to provide not only “hands on” training but also assistance to all members of the Facilities staff.
- Commitment to the School’s needs as demonstrated by readiness to respond 24/7/365 as reasonable and necessary.
- Ability to adapt behavior to function effectively in the school’s culture, use sound judgment and demonstrate diplomacy and tact on a daily basis.
- Ability to apply a differentiated management style among members of the department.
- Ability to read and interpret construction and engineering documents, e.g., construction drawings, specification and shop drawings, and manufacturer maintenance manuals.
- Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management regulations and practices.
- Ability to work in mechanical and electrical spaces.

Qualifications and Experiences
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferably in one of the following disciplines: Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Facilities or Construction Management.
- 10+ years’ experience in educational, industrial, commercial, or office (excluding residential, hotel experience) facility management (operational experience is preferred) 5+ years of leadership experience leading exempt and non-exempt employees.
- Experience with preparation of, and adherence to, annual facility budgets and long-term capital plans.
- Project Management experience.
- Experience with PPRRSM (Provision for Plant Replacement, Renewal and Special Maintenance) budget management and administration a plus.
- Experience with APPA educational facilities management program is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Proven record of providing excellent customer service.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members including current and former students, faculty, and staff. We seek to create an inclusive environment that sees, values, and supports diverse identities and experiences, cultivates engaging discourse, and empowers our students to be thriving members of the global community. At Holton-Arms, each of us is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community.
Compensation and Benefits
The average salary range for this position is $100,000.00 to $130,000.00, with the exact salary to be determined based on education and experience. Benefits include health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental and vision; life and disability insurance; 403b retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program, tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid sick and personal days; and lunch is provided on school days.