Director of Facilities and Safety

Charlottesville, Virginia, Tandem Friends School seeks an experienced and mission-driven Director of Facilities and Safety to lead all aspects of campus operations, physical plant management, and school safety. This director-level role reports to the Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations and is responsible for maintaining a safe, well-functioning, and sustainable campus that supports the School's Quaker educational mission. The ideal candidate combines hands-on technical expertise in facilities management with a proactive, community-centered approach to safety. Primary Responsibilities

Oversee all facilities operations including buildings, grounds, maintenance trades, and service requests; manage work-order systems and ensure timely, high-quality execution.

Develop and manage a comprehensive campus safety program, including access control, visitor management, surveillance systems, and contracted security services.

Collaborate on emergency preparedness planning, including lockdown, evacuation, and crisis communication protocols, and coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

Plan and manage the facilities and safety operating and capital budgets; monitor expenditures, prepare financial reports, and advise leadership on resource allocation.

Coordinates third-party maintenance contractors, determines their scope of work, and manages the fulfilment of their contract obligations, including quality control of their work.

Hire, supervise, and evaluate all facilities staff; foster a service-oriented team culture consistent with the School's values.

Manage construction, renovation, and capital improvement projects from planning through completion, including oversight of architects, engineers, and general contractors.

Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules, equipment replacement plans, and energy conservation programs; leverage building automation systems (BAS) and data-driven performance tracking.

Incorporate sustainable and green practices into daily operations and new projects.

Ensure compliance with all applicable building codes, life safety codes, OSHA regulations, and environmental standards.

Serve as the primary facilities and safety liaison to school leadership, faculty, staff, and the broader school community.

Maintain accurate documentation for all buildings, systems, equipment, security incidents, and regulatory filings.

Tandem Friends School aspires to be an equitable and inclusive school community. The school welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute to an atmosphere in which all are valued and supported. People of color and members of other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Required:

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, including demonstrated oversight of safety programs.

Working knowledge of physical security systems, emergency response planning, and K-12 or institutional safety best practices.

Proven ability to manage budgets with limited resources, contractor relationships, and institutional-scale capital projects.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively across a diverse school community.

Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Availability to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Preferred

Experience in an independent school or comparable educational institution, including student-facing roles.

Demonstrated ability to maintain campus operations with limited resources.

Experience performing maintenance and repairs prior to leveraging contractor relationships.

Familiarity with green building standards (LEED, Energy Star) and sustainable operations practices.

Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and energy management platforms.