Director of Facilities

• Type: Full-Time
• Work Hours: 7:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. (This position also requires being on-call 24/7 for alarm monitoring and emergency situations, and occasional evening or weekend support for events such as board meetings, snow removal, or special school functions.)
• Supervisor: CFO
• Location: Chicago, IL, on-site
• Starting Date: Immediate

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults.  Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community.  At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults. 

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.  

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

Catherine Cook School seeks a vibrant and innovative Director of Facilities. This position is key to ensuring our campus is safe, welcoming, and well cared for each day. The Director of Facilities partners with colleagues, families, and outside professionals to support both the daily needs of the school and long-term planning. In this role, you’ll help create an environment where students and teachers can focus on learning and connection, while also building your own leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

• Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks 

• Growing as a life-long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities

• Applying skills as supported by training and protocols for proactive and responsive community building.  

• Proactively and reflectively communicating through various platforms the vision, goals, and progress of your work with both internal and external collaborators

• Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts 

• Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts

• Employing Google and Outlook Applications for individual and team collaboration and communication 

• Keep our campus running smoothly by taking care of repairs and maintenance for building systems, grounds, and security.

• Support daily operations by handling service requests in a timely manner and keeping others updated on progress.

• Build your planning and problem-solving skills by creating and following through on preventative maintenance schedules that help us avoid bigger issues down the road.

• Gain experience managing projects by working with contractors, architects, and vendors on construction and equipment needs.

• Balance budgets and resources by overseeing costs, approving invoices, and helping ensure projects stay on track financially.

• Stay current on safety and compliance by coordinating inspections and making sure our campus meets codes and regulations.

• Help keep our community safe and prepared by planning and practicing emergency drills and response procedures.

• Grow as a team leader by hiring, training, and supporting facilities and security staff so they have what they need to succeed.

• Work closely with school leadership on contracts, budgets, and vendor relationships to keep operations efficient and sustainable.

• Manage and coordinate daily arrival and dismissal, ensuring the community has a safe, friendly experience each day.

• Pitch in as needed with other tasks that support the overall school community.

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

• Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of general facility operations and appropriate maintenance requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft office and comfortable with facility-related technology tools, such as: security systems, building automation systems, work order systems

• Ability to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure

• Ability to analyze data and make recommendations/decisions based on data analytics

• Ability to effectively supervise and support employees and numerous independently contracted service providers

• Proficient in negotiation, interpersonal, and financial management skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to fully engage with faculty, staff, parents, and vendors

• Ability to pay attention to detail and organization and handle multiple tasks/projects in a pressure-deadline work environment

• Ability and willingness to be a collaborative and supportive member of the community

• Attendance that is regular, predictable, and reliable is expected of all employees

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Requires working under stressful conditions and working irregular hours

• Ability to stand, bend at the waist, sit, crouch, kneel, crawl, reach and lay horizontally for sustained periods of time, and/or as job may require

• Ability to safely ascend/descend ladders

• Ability to lift/push/pull a minimum of 50lbs without assistance

• Exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions

• Exposure to high noise levels from machinery/power tools, construction

• Exposure to atmospheric conditions such as fumes/airborne particles from cleaning solutions, paints/solvents, vehicle exhaust, construction dust

• Exposure to biological substances, mechanical/electrical hazards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

• Professional Facilities Management certification a plus

• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in facilities management, construction, or building maintenance, including supervisory, planning/scheduling, and hands-on facilities maintenance

• Prior experience in an academic setting strongly preferred

• Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of these requirements

This document indicates the general nature and level of work for this position. It is not necessarily a comprehensive list of essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities, physical requirements or working conditions associated with the job. The Head of School may, at their discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time.

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Equal Pay Act, this position's salary range is $110,000-$125,000 annually. When extending an offer, Catherine Cook considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

What else is there to know about employment at Cook?

Catherine Cook offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. Our benefits for full-time eligible employees include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 403(b) plan

• 100% of the premium covered for Basic Life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D

• HSA, FSA, Dependent Care available

• Professional Development opportunities

• Generous paid time off

• Pet Insurance

• Identity Theft Protection