Associate Director of Facilities and Operations

Associate Director of Facilities and Operations

Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park

This position requires in-person work in Chicago and may require working outside standard hours including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is a first-of-its-kind park for quantum scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development. Minutes away from downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan, this site will: 1) build on a track record of historic investment by the State in quantum information science and technology, and 2) further establish Illinois as a global hub for quantum. The park is designed to support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners working to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, including the world's first fault-tolerant computers. For more information, visit our website.

Job Summary

Serve as the primary operational leader responsible for facility management, maintenance programs, building systems, environmental health and safety coordination, tenant operational support, emergency preparedness, and long-range facilities strategy of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). Collaborate with private-sector partners, tenants, developers, contractors, government agencies, and utility providers to support the growth and success of IQMP as a world-class quantum and microelectronics ecosystem. This leader will support existing and future renovation projects, including the IQMP On-Ramp faciltiies, and lead facilities operations for the IQMP campus infrastructure once built.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee facility operations across the IQMP infrastructure, including building maintenance, mechanical/electrical systems, HVAC, utilities, life safety systems, security infrastructure, grounds, and common areas.
• Lead and deliver complex, multi-site facilities projects across IQMP, ensuring effective budget control, scope and schedule management, while meeting customer and stakeholder requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including scientists, partners, tenants, and finance, to coordinate activities and achieve IQMP objectives.
• Establish and report facility performance standards, KPIs, and other operational metrics to ensure uninterrupted operations. Maintain contractor service level agreements, oversee contractor performance, and ensure effective project execution.
• Monitor and evaluate facility condition assessments and develop long-term capital renewal strategies.
• Lead operational planning for future facilities to support research, laboratory, or advanced manufacturing focus areas.
• Collaborate with tenants and stakeholders regarding current and future facility requirements, occupancy planning, infrastructure needs, equipment installation, commissioning activities, and operational support services.
• Support the development of operational readiness plans for new facilities and tenant occupancies.
• Develop, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets and forecasts for facilities and infrastructure operations.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with service providers, consultants, maintenance vendors, and utility providers.
• Lead operational compliance efforts related to environmental health and safety, regulatory requirements, emergency management, risk mitigation, and business continuity.
• Develop and maintain emergency response, disaster recovery, and incident management procedures.
• Serve as a primary operational contact during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for executive leadership, governing boards, public agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties appropriate for this position.

The position requires frequent movement throughout the IQMP campus, including office, laboratory, construction, utility, and industrial environments. Must be available to respond to operational emergencies outside normal bu