Facilities Management Grounds Director
$132,942–$162,484 year
On-siteIthaca, New York, United States
Job Summary
Lead the stewardship of Cornell's 900-acre Ithaca campus by setting vision and service delivery strategies for grounds operations, landscape management, snow and ice services, site construction, pavement systems, and gorge trail pathways. Partner with leaders across Campus Stewardship, Asset Management, and Environmental Health and Safety to align operational practices with asset management principles, lifecycle planning, and data governance standards. Manage a diverse team of approximately 50 employees, including professional and union staff, through workforce planning, employee development, and resource stewardship to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and safety. Advance sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence while navigating competing priorities and high-pressure situations. This full-time, on-site endowed position supports the university's academic, research, and public engagement mission.
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree in landscape management, horticulture, agronomy, natural resources, forestry, construction management, landscape architecture, civil engineering, or a related field
- 7 -10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in grounds, landscape, or facilities operations within a large, complex organization, including oversight of operations, staff, and budgets or equivalent combination
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-functional teams, including professional and union and/or represented staff, with accountability for workforce planning, operational performance, and organizational effectiveness
- Proven ability to develop and implement operational strategies aligned with organizational priorities, including safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and service delivery outcomes
- Experience managing budgets and resources, with the ability to balance operational needs, long-term planning, and fiscal responsibility
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, from frontline staff to senior leadership and external partners
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, including during high-pressure situations such as campus emergencies or critical operations
- Proficiency with standard business and operational software tools
- Valid driver's license required
- Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals
- Full-time (40 hours/week) endowed position based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., landscape architecture, environmental management, business administration, public administration, or engineering)
- Professional certifications relevant to the field (e.g., Certified Arborist, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Professional Engineer, LEED accreditation, or similar)
- Experience in higher education or similarly complex, decentralized environments
- Experience integrating operations with asset management, capital planning, or campus stewardship functions
- Demonstrated experience advancing sustainability initiatives, including landscape sustainability, waste reduction, or environmental compliance programs
- Experience influencing capital project outcomes, including design review, constructability, and long-term maintainability
- Experience leading organizational change, continuous improvement initiatives, or implementation of new systems, processes, or standards
- Experience leveraging data, metrics, or enterprise systems (e.g., EAM/CMMS platforms) to inform planning, prioritization, and performance management
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