Maintenance Zone Manager

Position Summary

The Facilities and Capital Planning department is seeking a proactive, experienced Maintenance Zone Manager to lead maintenance operations within a designated area of our 300-acre, tree-lined campus in the heart of Houston. This role oversees a team of skilled professionals, fosters strong customer relationships, and ensures facilities are maintained to the highest standards of safety, functionality, and appearance, all in support of the university's mission of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader with a proven track record in facilities management who thrives in a collaborative environment and brings a proactive, customer-focused approach to problem-solving. They combine technical expertise with excellent communication and organizational skills to ensure high standards of maintenance, safety, and service across campus.

Workplace Requirements

This is an essential on-campus position, requiring all duties to be performed in person on campus. Standard hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM, though schedules may change based on operational needs, as this role is exempt. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. As an essential role, the employee must be on-site during emergencies or crises to ensure continuity of critical operations and must remain accessible to leadership to support institutional functions. After-hours work or work outside the regular schedule may be required.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• 4 years of experience related to facilities operations management, preventive, corrective, and/or deferred maintenance
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis

Skills:

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
• Proficiency in CMMS and Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of building systems and maintenance best practices
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Preferences

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Construction, Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of facilities maintenance experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role
• Experience in an academic, higher education, or similarly mission-driven institutional setting
• Familiarity with Rice University's campus and operational standards
• Relevant certifications such as CFM, BOC, or equivalent

Essential Functions

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of general maintenance professionals within an assigned campus zone
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching and role-based training, and promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Oversee daily maintenance activities, including preventive and corrective work, using Rice University's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) Tririga
• Prioritize, assign, and track work orders to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality completion
• Monitor the condition and performance of building systems, infrastructure, and equipment to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term asset performance
• Partner with project managers, contractors, and campus stakeholders on facility renovations and capital improvement projects
• Assist in the development and management of the zone's maintenance budget, including tracking expenditures and optimizing labor, materials, and resources
• Serve as the primary point of contact for maintenance concerns within the assigned zone, building strong working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other campus departments
• Communicate effectively about maintenance activities, project schedules, and service interruptions, ensuring transparency and minimal disruption
• Respond to urgent maintenance issues and coordinate after-hours emergency support when needed
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Additional Functions

• Support planning and execution of infrastructure upgrades that enhance energy efficiency, system reliability, and occupant comfort
• Monitor the condition and performance of building systems, infrastructure, and equipment to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term asset performance

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

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