Director of Facilities & Campus Safety

Ridgefield Academy is a Preschool - Grade 8 Independent School located 5 minutes from the center of Ridgefield, CT.  We are seeking a professional and responsible Director of Facilities & Campus Safety to oversee a busy campus, providing strategic and operational leadership for all non-academic campus operations across multiple locations. This role ensures that school buildings, grounds,  safety protocols, and support services operate efficiently, safely, and in alignment with institutional goals. 

This is a highly visible leadership role that requires strong organizational skills, technical knowledge, financial oversight, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced school environment. You will work closely with faculty, staff, students, and parents, so strong communication skills and a commitment to the school community are essential.

Operations & Facilities Management

• Direct multi-site operations for all facilities-related activities, ensuring efficient functionality across all campus locations
• Oversee comprehensive maintenance of building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and grounds, prioritizing both long-term facility health and immediate repairs
• Direct daily maintenance, repair, and improvement of school buildings, systems, and grounds
• Spearhead building and grounds improvement initiatives and coordinate large-scale construction projects from planning through execution with collaboration from the CFO
• Manage the event request system, delegate work orders to facilities staff, and ensure timely response to all campus requests
• Partner with Division Heads, Department Heads and Auxiliary Services to support after-hours and weekend activities
• Supervise and evaluate contractors, including landscaping, custodial, and other vendors on campus
• Draft and manage RFPs; review bids and negotiate competitive vendor contracts
• Monitor vendor performance to ensure quality service delivery and cost effectiveness
• Maintain strong, professional vendor relationships aligned with institutional expectations

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Manage school security, emergency response protocols and ensure compliance with health, fire and safety regulations
• Liaise with local officials and administration to maintain high standards of institutional safety and regulatory alignment
• Partner with the Director of Technology who oversees campus digital security and surveillance systems

Strategic Planning & Financial Oversight

• Manage the building and grounds budget, utilizing data-driven spreadsheets to track expenditures and maximize cost efficiency
• ​​Create, monitor, and manage operating and capital facilities budgets
• Utilize data-driven spreadsheets to track expenditures and maximize cost efficiency
• Develop long-term renovation, maintenance, and capital improvement plans
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining high facility standards

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead a facilities team ensuring effective and timely completion of set up/breakdown, maintenance, etc.
• Partner with Division and Department heads to ensure requirements are met for after-hours and weekend activities
• Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and teamwork within the facilities department
• Provide hands-on leadership and support in daily operations

Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not essential
• Knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
• Previous security or guard experience a plus
• Proficiency in Google Suite

• Professional, engaging, and friendly demeanor
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, “can-do” attitude
• Financial acumen and budget management experience
• Strong communication and leadership skills

The Facilities Manager works in a dynamic school environment that includes indoor and outdoor responsibilities across multiple campus locations. Standard hours for this position are 7:00am-3:00pm. Additionally, this role may require occasional evening and weekend availability to support school/auxiliary events or urgent/emergency as needed. 

This is a physically demanding position requiring:

• Extensive walking and standing
• Frequent movement throughout multiple campus locations
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds
• Ability to respond quickly to campus emergencies

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any employment practice on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local nondiscrimination laws.