Assistant Director of Asset Strategy & Planning

Job Description SummaryThe Assistant Director of Asset Strategy & Planning supports the Director of Engineering & Facilities Condition Assessment by implementing the University’s asset lifecycle management program and translating technical condition data into actionable capital planning insights.

This role is responsible for administering asset data systems, integrating Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) data with maintenance and performance metrics, and developing data-driven analyses to support capital renewal planning and operational decision-making.

The Assistant Director serves as a key partner for CMMS/IWMS platforms, asset data governance, and asset-related process standardization, ensuring alignment between engineering-defined standards and facilities execution. This position works collaboratively with Facilities Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Real Estate to enhance asset reliability, improve lifecycle cost performance, and support effective service delivery.

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

Asset Lifecycle Management & Capital Planning

• Maintain and administer the University’s asset registry, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established standards.
• Implement and support asset lifecycle models based on methodologies and criteria defined by Facilities Engineering.
• Develop and update multi-year capital renewal forecasts using FCA data, asset condition ratings, work order history, and asset performance trends.
• Translate engineering assessments and technical findings into prioritized capital planning scenarios and supporting documentation for leadership review.
• Support capital planning processes by preparing scenario analyses, funding models, and long-term deferred maintenance projections.
• Track asset-related expenditures and assist with forecasting, variance analysis, and cost optimization efforts.
• Serve as Asset Custodian for financial reporting purposes, ensuring alignment with capitalization and depreciation policies.
• Support the Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) program by integrating assessment data into asset and capital planning models; technical assessment methodologies and ratings remain under the authority of Facilities Engineering.

Data, Systems & Analytics (CMMS/IWMS Governance)

• Assist CMMS/IWMS platforms, ensuring data integrity, usability, and alignment with departmental standards.
• Implement and maintain asset data standards, hierarchies, naming conventions, and documentation requirements in coordination with Engineering leadership.
• Integrate data from FCA, preventive maintenance programs, work orders, and capital projects into a unified asset management framework.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and analytics to support Facilities leadership decision-making.
• Perform data validation and quality assurance to improve the accuracy and reliability of asset and maintenance data.
• Coordinate benchmarking data collection and submission processes.
• Support the use of analytics and emerging technologies to improve predictive maintenance and capital planning capabilities.

Operational Excellence, SOPs & Quality Assurance

• Develop and maintain standardized operating procedures (SOPs) related to asset management, preventive maintenance, and work order data practices.
• Support quality assurance processes to promote consistency, accuracy, and adherence to defined standards.
• Partner with Facilities Operations leadership to support SOP implementation and alignment with field practices.
• Assist in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing variability, and improving asset performance.
• Support implementation of equipment standards and design guidelines, emphasizing lifecycle cost considerations and consistency, in alignment with Engineering-defined technical requirements.

Maintenance Strategy & Performance Management

• Support the administration and continuous improvement of the Preventive Maintenance (PM) program based on asset criticality and lifecycle strategies established by Facilities Engineering.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to maintenance effectiveness, asset reliability, and service delivery.
• Monitor work order performance metrics, including backlog, completion rates, and data quality, and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Promote timely and accurate work order closeout through process support, training, and performance tracking.
• Analyze maintenance and asset performance trends and collaborate with Facilities Engineering to inform strategy adjustments.

Training, Workforce Enablement & Change Management

• Support development and delivery of training programs related to CMMS/IWMS use, asset management practices, and SOPs in partnership with the Director of Talent Development.
• Assist in building structured learning pathways for facilities staff to support adoption of systems, processes, and technologies.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Support change management efforts related to the implementation of new systems, processes, and standards.

Other Functions:

• This position may be designated as essential personnel to support business continuity in the event of campus emergencies, disasters, or other special needs as directed by management. Essential personnel are subject to recall inside/outside their normal schedule.
• Reports all safety-related matters to the appropriate Director and collaborates with the Environmental Health & Safety Department to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
• Perform other duties as required by management.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in facilities, asset management, capital planning, or related field.
• Experience working with CMMS/IWMS platforms and asset data.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and support capital planning or maintenance programs.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Experience developing KPIs, performance frameworks, and operational dashboards.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive organizational change.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information into clear, actionable insights.
• Upholds the principles of inclusiveness, diversity, dialogue, collegiality, respect, knowledge, integrity, learning, awareness, and responsiveness: sets standards, goals, and plans related to these areas.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with staff, faculty, and students.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal skills, and employee development and performance management skills.
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record; must be insurable

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or complex institutional environments.
• Familiarity with Facilities Condition Assessments (FCA) and asset lifecycle modeling.
• Knowledge of APPA standards or ISO 55000 asset management principles.
• Experience with data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Professional certifications such as CFM, FMP, or related credentials.
• Experience in capital planning, lifecycle costing, or facilities analytics.
• Familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and energy management systems.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for own work.
• Budgetary responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Exerting up to 25pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Physical activities include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Close visual acuity is required. The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.

Environmental Conditions: The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions

Disclaimer: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.

Additional Job DescriptionTime Type RequirementFull time