Director, Building Operations

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The Karsh Institute of Democracy is looking to hire a Director of Building Operations. The Director, Building Operations will play a pivotal leadership role in launching and stewarding this landmark facility. This position is ideal for a leader who thrives at the intersection of relationship-building and operations-someone who can cultivate strong partnerships across the university and beyond while also ensuring the building runs seamlessly, safely, and efficiently.

The Karsh Institute of Democracy building is a transformative new 69,000-square-foot facility located on the Emmett-Ivy Corridor-one of the University of Virginia’s most ambitious and dynamic development initiatives. Purpose-built to convene ideas, people, and public engagement, the building will serve the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy (Batten), the Karsh Institute, and the broader university community as a premier destination for scholarship, dialogue, and civic life.

The facility features a 425-seat auditorium, state-of-the-art audio/video production suite, classrooms, flexible event and convening spaces, offices, and collaborative workspaces designed to support both daily academic activity and high-profile public programming. Construction of the building is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2026, with an opening ceremony planned for spring 2027, followed by a soft opening period. As a newly constructed facility, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape how the building is activated, operated, and experienced from its very first days.

Position Responsibilities
The Director, Building Operations is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of all aspects of building operations, including long-term planning, maintenance, staffing, and coordination of activities within the Karsh Institute of Democracy building. This role is central to the successful activation and ongoing operation of the facility and requires close collaboration with university partners, thoughtful oversight of building support staff, and hands-on leadership to ensure the building fulfills its promise as a vibrant, well-managed hub on the Emmett-Ivy Corridor.

• Strategic Planning: Lead the development and implementation of short- and long-term operational strategies for the building, including coordination with other university buildings and stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including university leaders and community leaders, Karsh and Batten staff, and internal partners (i.e. Parking & Transportation, Housekeeping, Facilities Management, RMC etc.), to maximize building utilization and support institutional goals.
• Operating Policies & Procedures: Develop, communicate, and enforce processes, policies, and procedures for security, access control/door schedules, and building use – including space reservation, space rental pricing and event support.
• Building Opening & Activation: Collaborate and coordinate with the Karsh Institute director of programs on the operational aspects of the building’s opening ceremony in early 2027, followed by the soft opening period, coordinating closely with university leadership, events teams, and external partners to ensure a successful launch.
• Facilities Management: Oversee maintenance, utilities, and operational planning to ensure the building’s infrastructure is functional, safe, and aligned with university needs.
• Emergency Planning: Develop and maintain emergency response plans and procedures.
• Financial Management: Manage budgeting, procurement, and financial reporting for building operations.
• IT Infrastructure: Coordinate and collaborate with Batten IT leadership to ensure robust and reliable IT support for Karsh staff and collaboration/meeting spaces.
• Vendor and Contractor Management: Develop plans for the use of internal and external vendors and contractors, ensuring operational continuity and cost-effective services.
• Workforce Planning & Hiring: Manage a Building Operations Manager position and lead the hiring and management of student support staff.
• Art Management: Oversee the installation and maintenance of art within the building.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations with multiple, competing priorities, including tracking progress, meeting deadlines, and communicating clearly with a wide range of stakeholders.
• experience representing an organization or facility in a professional manner, including serving as a point of contact for high-profile events, partners, and visitors.
• Strong operational judgment and professional maturity, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify risks, and proactively address issues in a dynamic, launch-phase environment.
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, vendors, and external partners.
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively, applying creative problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, highly visible setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, diplomatically, and confidently to internal and external audiences.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with attention to detail and an ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Ability to maintain a positive, service-oriented approach while navigating change, complexity, and evolving operational demands.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot, SharePoint) and operational support systems (Airtable, Smartsheet)
• Proficiency in or demonstrated experience learning new technology systems to support facilities, room scheduling (25Live, Eventbrite) and finance (Workday, Anaplan).

Minimum Requirements

education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: 7+ years of relevant professional experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Preferred Requirements

4+ years of formal management experience.

Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. This job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

Salary Range

The anticipated hiring range is $120,000-130,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is a non-exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

• This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA with occasional evening and weekend hours required for special events.
• Occasional hybrid work is possible.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after April 20, 2026.

Preferred state date – late July/early August 2026

Additional Position Information

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0082029. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter clearly articulating interest in the position

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

To nominate a candidate, please contact Nicole Woods, Managing Director, (nmw7r@virginia.edu).

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For questions about the position, please contact Nicole Woods, Managing Director, at nmw7r@virginia.edu .

For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Academic Recruitment, at rkh6j@virginia.edu

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.

 

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