Campus Operations Director
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Own campus-wide operations plans and service standards
- Lead facilities teams across maintenance, custodial, security coordination, and grounds
- Oversee vendor selection, contracts, and service-level performance
- Manage operating budgets, forecasting, and cost controls
- Coordinate space planning and move management with internal stakeholders
- Drive health and safety programs, inspections, and compliance readiness
- Plan and execute preventative maintenance programs
- Lead incident response for outages, weather events, and urgent repairs
- Partner with finance, procurement, and leadership on priorities and approvals
- Use performance metrics to improve service quality and reduce downtime
- Develop staffing models, scheduling, and team training plans
- Communicate operational updates to campus leadership and the community
Top Skills for Success
Operational Leadership
Vendor Management
Budget Management
Facilities Management
Preventative Maintenance Planning
Health and Safety Management
Contract Negotiation
Project Management
Stakeholder Communication
Team Development
Risk Management
Service Quality Management
Space Planning
Energy Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Regional Operations Director
Director of Facilities
Head of Campus Services
Senior Director of Real Estate Operations
Vice President of Operations
Chief Operating Officer
Transition Opportunities
Program Manager for Capital Projects
Real Estate Portfolio Manager
Procurement Director
Workplace Experience Director
Safety Director
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Capital PlanningBuilding Systems KnowledgeEnergy StrategyData ReportingChange ManagementEmergency PreparednessContract Risk Review
Development SuggestionsBuild a simple operating dashboard, lead a preventative maintenance reset, and take ownership of one cross-campus improvement program. Pair this with targeted learning in building systems, safety practices, and contract management.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 95,000 to 125,000
Mid LevelUSD 125,000 to 170,000
Senior LevelUSD 170,000 to 230,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand. Hiring is supported by aging buildings, higher safety expectations, energy cost pressure, and increased focus on occupant experience.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Universities and collegesK to 12 school districtsHealthcare systemsCorporate headquarters with multi-building campusesProperty management firmsData center operatorsResearch parksLarge residential communities
Industry Sectors
EducationHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingReal estateGovernmentNonprofit
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a one-page campus operations scorecard with key metrics and targets2
Audit vendor contracts and set clear service standards and review cadences3
Map critical building systems and develop a preventative maintenance calendar4
Run a tabletop incident response exercise with clear roles and escalation paths5
Standardize work order intake and prioritization rules6
Build a 12-month budget plan with cost drivers and savings opportunities7
Collect stakeholder feedback and publish a quarterly operations update8
Pursue a facilities credential or safety training aligned to your sector