Position Summary

Harvard-Westlake is looking for a Facilities Operations Manager to lead all facilities operations for our new River Park campus and existing off-campus athletic facilities. River Park is a new 17-acre athletics, recreational, and community destination and features a multipurpose gymnasium/arena (~72,000 SF), two synthetic multi-use fields (one with a 6-lane track), a 50-meter pool, 8 tennis courts, landscape & hardscape areas, stormwater reclamation system, and below-grade parking (~400 spots).

The Facilities Operations Manager will lead the transition from construction to operations, accepting handoff from the school’s construction team in preparation for the Fall 2026 campus opening, establish standards of care for all uses and facilities, and oversee maintenance, custodial, grounds, event support, and building systems.

This role partners closely with Athletics, events (e.g., Admissions, Advancement), security, and community partners, manages a blended team of in-house staff and vendors, and serves as an on-scene incident and after-hours response lead. River Park is open seven days a week, with uses typically from 7 am to 9 pm. The Facilities Operations Manager should therefore expect to manage a team using extra-duty and/or swing shifts.

Key Responsibilities

Campus Operations & Readiness

• Lead day-to-day operations for all River Park and off-campus athletic facilities (baseball & softball fields at Encino Franklin Fields and tennis courts at Los Angeles Valley College), ensuring they are safe, clean, code-compliant, and event-ready at all times.
• Administer the work order system, asset registry, preventive maintenance (PM) plans, and service-level targets, and publish weekly schedules and performance metrics.
• Establish and enforce SOPs for event changeovers, turf/track/court care, aquatics plant operation, custodial standards, waste/recycling/composting, and key/access controls.
• Ensure strict compliance with River Park’s operating conditions (i.e., Conditional Use Permit), as approved by the City of Los Angeles.
• Serve as primary or secondary on-call response for facility incidents, alarms, weather events, power outages, and urgent repairs.
• Scope and oversee minor renovations and capital renewal projects, coordinate contractors, and verify scope completion before authorizing final payment.
• Track and optimize energy, water (including aquatics and irrigation), and waste performance. Implement sustainability initiatives, practices, and vendor requirements. Pursue rebates/incentives (e.g., LADWP, SoCalGas) as appropriate.

Staff Leadership

• Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate a multidisciplinary in-house team (maintenance techs, grounds, custodial leads) and oversee contracted partners (custodial, landscaping, aquatics, pest control, waste, elevators, life-safety).

• In collaboration with the Director of Operations, foster a culture of service, safety, and continuous improvement with documented training and career progression plans.

Events & Community Interface

• Provide extensive event support (including some evenings/weekends) for athletics, performing arts, speaker series, community programming, and large special events; plan staffing, equipment, and facility turns to meet tight timelines and quality standards.

• Coordinate with Athletics, events, and security teams on crowd flow, parking, noise/lighting considerations, and neighbor communications.

Building Systems & Commissioning

• Lead punch list, acceptance, and commissioning of new systems (BAS/EMS, MEP, aquatics, life-safety), maintain O&M manuals and as-builts, and ensure warranties and service contracts are in place.

• Manage inspections, testing, and repairs for fire/life-safety, elevators/lifts, boilers/chillers/pumps, pool filtration and chemical systems, backflow, and emergency power.

Compliance, Safety & Risk

• Ensure compliance with CAL/OSHA, ADA/Title 24, air quality and water regulations, hazardous materials handling, and injury/illness prevention.
• Participate as a member of the emergency action plan and safety teams. Conduct regular campus inspections to facilitate safe school and community uses and take appropriate steps to mitigate risks or potential hazards. Maintain accurate logs and corrective-action follow-ups.

Budgeting & Procurement

• Prepare and manage multi-area annual budgets, forecast capital renewal, and approve purchases within delegated authority limits.
• Exercise significant judgment and discretion in the administration of a multi-million-dollar annual budget for River Park.
• Specify and procure equipment, materials, and services, ensure competitive bidding and contract compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive responsibility for facilities and plant operations in a campus, stadium/arena, aquatics, parks, university, healthcare, or similar environment; 3+ years leading teams. (Experience opening a new facility strongly preferred.)
• Working knowledge of building trades and systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, controls/BAS, life-safety), work order systems, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage competing deadlines, communicate clearly in writing and speech, and lead in a high-visibility, customer-service environment.
• Physical capability to meet job demands: regular walking/standing, ladder use, occasional lifting, up to 50 lbs., and work indoors and outdoors in varying conditions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record, and ability to pass background check and pre-employment screenings.

About Harvard-Westlake

Harvard-Westlake is an independent school with three campuses located in Los Angeles, California. We have approximately 1,600 students enrolled in grades 7–12. Our students are curious, thoughtful, and inspiring young people who engage deeply in both academic and co-curricular life.

We are dedicated to fostering a community of belonging and continually advancing diversity and inclusion across all aspects of school life. We do not discriminate on any basis. We seek candidates who bring sensitivity, understanding, and respect for individuals from diverse backgrounds; who can work collaboratively and independently in a dynamic environment; and who exemplify professionalism, openness, and generosity in their interactions with students and colleagues.

Schedule

Targeted start date: June 1, 2026. Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Evening and weekend work should be expected as well given River Park’s operating hours.

Compensation

Estimated base compensation for this full-time, onsite, exempt position is $135,000-$165,000, depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero to low premium contributions
• 403(b) Retirement with a 10% match and immediate vesting
• Cafeteria allowance
• Professional development support, including continuing education
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee affinity groups
• Mental wellness resources and workshops
• Partially subsidized employee housing (subject to availability)
• Tickets to local sporting and entertainment events
• Discount at the school bookstores
• Paid holidays, including time off for Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring break plus vacation!