"Custodial Manager (Phoenix, AZ)"

Position Highlights

University Facility Services-Phoenix is seeking an experienced and motivated Custodial Manager to lead and coordinate custodial operations to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and service across University facilities. This role is key to ensuring compliance with University policies and departmental procedures while delivering exceptional service. This position includes responsibility for scheduling, budgeting, customer service, and contract management in support of University operations while providing leadership, training, and operational oversight to staff.

University Facility Services at the University of Arizona consists of over 700 employees and services over 13 million square feet of campus, keeping the grounds beautiful, classrooms clean and all utilities moving through the campus. TEAMWORK is our strength.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides direct management oversight of the custodial contractor and future in-house staff to ensure daily operations consistently meet University cleanliness, health, and safety standards.
• Serves as the primary point of escalation for resolving operational or personnel issues, supporting both staff and customers at the highest level of customer service.
• Plans, organizes, and balances workloads for routine custodial activities, major maintenance projects, and special University functions.
• Collaborates with campus departments and event planners to anticipate facility needs, proactively adjusting staffing and scheduling to meet deadlines and customer expectations.
• Establishes service protocols to minimize disruptions during academic or research activities while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation.
• Ensures effective communication between staff, supervisors, and campus partners to address concerns promptly.
• Maintains flexibility to respond to emergencies, unexpected service requests, or campus-wide initiatives with minimal operational impact.
• Develops, monitors, and manages custodial budgets to ensure cost-effective use of labor, equipment, and supplies.
• Tracks expenditures, prepares financial and performance reports, and identifies opportunities for resource savings without compromising quality.
• Ensures adequate inventory of cleaning materials and safety equipment to meet operational demands.
• Manages contracts with external vendors for services such as window washing, pest control, uniform distribution, and specialized cleaning of outlying properties.
• Evaluates vendor performance, negotiates terms, and holds contractors accountable for adherence to University standards and service expectations.
• Ensures custodial operations comply with all University, local, state, and federal safety and health regulations, including OSHA standards and environmental health guidelines.
• Implements and monitors safety training programs, ensuring all custodial staff use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow established chemical handling procedures.
• Investigates and documents workplace accidents, implements corrective actions, and develops strategies to prevent recurrence.
• Works in collaboration with Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety to maintain compliance records, conduct inspections, and support campus emergency response protocols.
• Designs and delivers training initiatives to reinforce quality, safety, and service expectations while encouraging staff career growth.
• Coaches supervisors to develop strong leadership skills, while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Oversees all aspects of recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and promotions, including chairing selection committees to ensure equity and transparency in employment practices.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of long-term custodial strategies aligned with University goals, including sustainability initiatives and operational efficiency improvements.
• Collects and analyzes data on custodial performance, workload distribution, and customer satisfaction to identify areas for process enhancement.
• Prepares and delivers reports to senior leadership highlighting key performance indicators, achievements, and areas requiring additional resources.
• Participates in cross-departmental planning efforts to integrate custodial services into broader campus operations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert, advising leadership on industry best practices, technological innovations, and emerging trends in custodial management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of custodial operations, cleaning standards, and safety practices.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop staff.
• Ability to manage budgets and vendor contracts effectively.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in coordinating with large teams and special event support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Three years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Valid Driver's license with the ability to drive according to our University Fleet Safety Policy

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of related custodial management and/or related university operations.