Senior Building Administrator, Wharton Operations
University of PennsylvaniaAbout the role
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Senior Building Administrator, Wharton OperationsJob Profile Title
Building Operations ManagerJob Description Summary
The Senior Building Administrator is responsible for overseeing daily operational and maintenance activities across Wharton’s eight buildings, spanning over 1,000,000 square feet. This role supervises two Building Managers and coordinates the work assignments of three union service mechanics. The Senior Building Administrator ensures the seamless operation of facilities, work order management, vendor coordination, and emergency response efforts while maintaining Wharton’s commitment to excellence in facilities management. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director for Operations, this role also collaborates with various stakeholders, including housekeeping, security, project management, and space planning teams, to support the overall functionality of Wharton’s facilities.The Senior Building Administrator oversees and coordinates daily maintenance activities, ensuring timely work order processing, scheduling, and resolution. This role conducts regular building inspections to ensure the proper functioning of mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems while also tracking work order costs and expenditures to maintain budget compliance. Managing vendor relationships is an essential aspect of the role, ensuring that contracts and services are executed efficiently and to the highest standards. Additionally, the Senior Building Administrator collaborates with housekeeping teams to uphold cleanliness and safety protocols and monitors preventative maintenance schedules to ensure the longevity and efficiency of building systems. In a leadership capacity, the Senior Building Administrator supervises two Building Managers, providing guidance, training, and performance oversight. The role also assigns and manages work for three union service mechanics to ensure daily operations run smoothly. Serving as a key point of contact for faculty, staff, and building occupants, this position addresses facility-related concerns while working closely with the Senior Associate Director for Operations to develop and implement best practices for facility management.
Emergency and crisis management is a critical function of this role, as the Senior Building Administrator serves as a first responder for facility-related emergencies across all Wharton buildings. The individual in this position is responsible for triaging urgent maintenance and safety concerns, dispatching appropriate personnel and resources for quick resolution, and being available on-call 24/7 to manage off-hour facility issues. The role also involves significant project and space management responsibilities, working closely with Senior Associate Directors for Facilities, Projects, and Space & Scheduling to plan and execute faculty and staff office relocations. The Senior Building Administrator oversees internal and external moving vendors to ensure smooth transitions and supports strategic space planning efforts to optimize facility utilization. Additionally, this role manages special projects aligned with Wharton’s long-term facility goals. The Senior Building Admini
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