Assistant Director of Building & Grounds

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) seeks an Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds to help maintain a safe, clean, functional, and welcoming campus. Reporting to the Director of Buildings and Grounds, this hands-on position supports building maintenance, preventive maintenance, facilities projects, and daily department operations. The Assistant Director directly supervises housekeeping staff and provides direction to maintenance personnel as assigned by the Director.

MIAD’s facilities include classrooms, studios, workshops, laboratories, wood and metalworking areas, a foundry, welding areas, dining spaces, offices, and common areas. The Assistant Director works with campus departments, employees, and outside contractors to keep these spaces ready for teaching, learning, and events.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist with the daily operation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of campus buildings, grounds, equipment, and building systems.
2. Prioritize and follow up on maintenance requests based on safety, urgency, and campus needs; troubleshoot issues and assist with repairs as appropriate.
3. Help manage preventive maintenance schedules, document completed work, and maintain records for major building systems and equipment.
4. Directly supervise housekeeping staff, including work assignments, schedules, training, cleaning standards, quality checks, and performance feedback.
5. Coordinate housekeeping coverage for classes, exhibitions, events, and other campus activities; monitor supplies and coordinate purchases within established budgets.
6. Provide direction to maintenance personnel as assigned by the Director and lead daily department operations when the Director is unavailable.
7. Coordinate service calls and work performed by contractors and vendors, including scheduling, site access, and follow-up.
8. Assist with small construction, renovation, repair, and improvement projects.
9. Identify facility and workplace hazards, support safe work practices, and assist with required inspections and documentation.
10. Communicate building interruptions, maintenance schedules, and facility concerns to affected campus departments.
11. Assist with emergency response and other building-related issues when needed.
12. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Buildings & Grounds.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.

• At least three (3) years of experience in facilities operations, building maintenance, construction, or a related field, including experience directing the work of others.
• Experience coordinating work with contractors or vendors.
• Working knowledge of building systems and general facility maintenance.
• Ability to organize work, respond to competing requests, and follow projects through to completion.
• Strong communication skills and a service-oriented approach to working with the campus community.
• Basic proficiency with email, spreadsheets, and work-order or maintenance management systems.
• Ability to foster collaboration and engage a team to meet shared objectives.
• Ability to respond to facility emergencies as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or technical degree, trade training, or equivalent experience in facilities management, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, construction, or a related field.
• Experience supervising housekeeping staff or other facilities personnel.
• Experience in a college, school, institutional, commercial, or similarly complex facility.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs, equipment records, or computerized maintenance management systems.
• OSHA safety training or related certifications.

Work Environment and Schedule:

This position requires regular walking throughout campus, climbing stairs and ladders as needed, and occasionally lifting or moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. The regular schedule will be established by the Director of Buildings and Grounds. Facility emergencies or other urgent issues may occasionally require a response during evenings, weekends, or holidays. The Director coordinates after-hours coverage and determines who should respond based on the situation, sharing responsibility when practical.