Building Manager, Nicholas School of the Environment

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

At Duke University, we believe in bold ideas, inclusive collaboration, and meaningful impact. The Nicholas School of the Environment is seeking a Building and Laboratory Operations Manager who thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about supporting cutting-edge research and education through exceptional facilities management.

As a key member of our Operations Management Group, you will lead the planning, coordination, and oversight of building and laboratory operations across the Nicholas School's facilities-including Grainger Hall, the A-wing of the Levine Science Research Center, and the Juli Plant Grainger Center for River Science.

You'll work closely with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure our spaces are safe, efficient, and aligned with Duke's sustainability and research goals.

Lead Facilities and Lab Operations (75%)

• Manage environmental, physical, and security conditions across NSOE buildings and labs.
• Supervise the Building Coordinator and foster a proactive, service-oriented approach.
• Collaborate with Duke and external partners for maintenance, repairs, and safety compliance.
• Oversee vendor relationships, equipment procurement, and service delivery.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of research equipment and instrumentation with utilization rates.
• Work with the Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office, other relevant Duke University entities, and appropriate NSOE personnel to ensure that NSOE laboratories remain in compliance with all University and/or regulatory requirements.
• Maintain inventories of lab space utilization and report quarterly to inform space allocation.
• Develop and implement systemized procedures to assign office and laboratory spaces for staff and faculty as well as for visiting scholars, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and other non-faculty positions in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Finance, the Senior Associate Dean for Research, the Director of Faculty Affairs, and other NSOE personnel. Serve on the NSOE's ad hoc space committee when requested.
• Maintain positive working relationships with the University's FMD liaison and staff and coordinate infrastructure plans and issues that affect labs, offices, and community spaces including repairs, inspections, temporary shutdowns, etc. to ensure proper working conditions and minimize internal user impacts.
• Support shared instrumentation facilities and cost centers.
• Coordinate renovations, capital projects, and infrastructure improvements.
• Serve as NSOE's representative on university-wide facilities committees.
• Chair the Nicholas School Sustainability Committee and lead annual reporting.

Champion Emergency Preparedness (15%)

• Co-chair the NSOE Emergency Planning Committee.
• Lead response and recovery efforts during emergencies and extreme weather.
• Coordinate with Facilities Management and University Corporate Risk for damage assessment and insurance claims.
• Ensure lab safety compliance and foster a culture of proactive risk management.

Support School Operations (10%)

• Oversee mail and delivery processes.
• Perform other duties that support the School's mission and operations.

Skills That Set You Apart

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving in complex environments.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead projects independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, business, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years in facilities management, ideally with lab experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

At Duke, we don't just manage buildings-we create spaces where bold ideas thrive. Join a community that values your expertise, encourages innovation, and supports your growth.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position of USD $59,829.00 to USD $86,700.00. Final offers are determined based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Your total compensation goes beyond your paycheck. Duke offers comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs for eligible team members.
Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Certain roles at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and guidance regarding requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the hiring department.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.