Associate Director for Building Operations, Safety and Security

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is dedicated to fulfilling Georgetown University’s mission of promoting intellectual, ethical and spiritual understanding through serious and sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs. Embodying this spirit of the University, Georgetown’s Qatar campus undertakes education, research, and service in order to advance knowledge and provide students and the community with a holistic educational experience that produces global citizens committed to the service of humankind. We demonstrate the values of Georgetown University; seek to build upon the world-class reputation of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service; and work with our partner, Qatar Foundation, in its endeavors to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Requirements

The position, located in Doha, Qatar, will lead building operations, maintenance, safety and security at the Georgetown University's Qatar campus, ensuring safe, sustainable, compliant and customer-focused services. The role will support the Chief Facilities Management Officer (CFMO) with strategy, budgets and performance across Facilities Management, Auxiliary Services, Bookstore and Events, while developing the broader leadership capabilities needed for potential future progression to CFMO, subject to organizational needs and readiness.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead building operations, maintenance, custodial, safety and security services, while ensuring continuity, compliance with local and international regulations and effective use of resources.
• Manage relationships with Qatar Foundation (QF), contractors and university stakeholders to maintain high service standards and resolve escalated issues.
• Oversee service delivery, staff and contractor performance, operational risk, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance.
• Support the CFMO with integrated planning, budgets, performance reporting and improvement across the wider Facilities Management portfolio.
• Lead delegated cross-functional initiatives and deputize for the CFMO within agreed authority.

Key Activities:

• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance, building systems, cleaning, security, space planning, capital works and asset management in coordination with QF.
• Ensure effective use of the helpdesk and permit-to-work systems; monitor service levels, contractor compliance and customer feedback.
• Maintain safety procedures, inspections, fire warden arrangements, emergency plans, drills and corrective actions; support relevant QF committees.
• Act as the Chief Fire Warden during evacuation emergencies.
• Drive sustainability, accessibility, energy efficiency, waste reduction and technology-enabled improvements.
• Coordinate operational support for university events, IT/AV projects and shared campus users, including Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
• Oversee access control, CCTV, ID cards, keys, vehicle tags and the Student Guard Programme.
• Monitor expenditure, contracts, procurement and service performance; identify savings and support annual budgeting, forecasting and capital priorities.
• Work with Auxiliary Services, Bookstore and Events leads to understand their service, commercial and financial priorities.
• Prepare performance reports and business cases; lead assigned cross-functional projects and represent the CFMO when delegated.
• Keep faculty, staff, and students informed on facility updates and building projects; manage FM content on GU-Q’s web portal and supply weekly operational updates for university newsletters and CFMO leadership briefings.
• Manage and oversee the work of direct reports, including setting and reviewing performance objectives, and identifying training and development needs.
• Liaise with Human Resources to manage recruitment, hiring, onboarding and offboarding of direct reports, as required.
• Supervise, train and mentor contracted staff and service providers.
• Respond to urgent requests and concerns via email, texts, and phone calls outside of normal working hours.
• Respond to and manage safety and security-related issues, including coordinating procedures and communicating with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide operational support during evenings and weekends, as needed.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of hard and soft facilities services, building systems, security, safety, sustainability and relevant Qatar/international standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, contracts, procurement, risk, projects and performance indicators.
• Strategic thinking, commercial awareness and understanding of auxiliary, retail/bookstore and events operations.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, communication, problem-solving and change-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CAFM and relevant building/technical systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• CFM/FMP (IFMA or equivalent) and NEBOSH IGC or equivalent.
• Postgraduate management qualification, LEED/SFP, NFPA fire certification and professional membership preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years’ relevant facilities/building operations experience, preferably in higher education.
• 8+ years’ experience leading diverse teams, contractors and complex projects.
• Experience with budgets, supplier performance, strategic planning, safety/security and sustainability.
• Experience working across cultures and functions; exposure to commercial services, retail or events desirable.
• Demonstrated progression in leadership responsibility and ability to develop managers.

Expatriate Benefits and Relocation Support

GU-Q offers a highly competitive expatriate benefits package including a monthly transportation and home leave travel allowance, worldwide health insurance, and generous private school tuition support for accompanying children, along with other benefits.

Relocating to a new country can be a significant undertaking, and GU-Q is committed to providing comprehensive relocation support. This includes visa processing, arranging travel to Qatar, fully furnished temporary accommodation, transportation upon arrival, and campus orientation, helping new employees and their families settle into life in Qatar and the GU-Q community.

Current Georgetown Employees:

If you currently work at Georgetown University, please exit this website and login to GMS (gms.georgetown.edu) using your Net ID and password. Then select the Career worklet on your GMS Home dashboard to view Jobs at Georgetown.

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at Georgetown University in Qatar, you must submit a resume/CV for each position of interest. Documents are not kept on file for future positions.

Need Assistance:

Need some assistance with the application process? Contact us at guqhr@georgetown.edu.

EEO Statement:

GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits:

Georgetown University offers a wide variety of comprehensive and competitive benefits. Benefits packages include comprehensive health, dental and vision plans, disability and life insurance coverage, retirement savings programs, tuition assistance, voluntary insurance options (including group legal, accident, and critical illness), and much more. Whatever your need, the Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits will be standing by to support you. You can learn more about the benefits offered to eligible faculty and staff at https://benefits.georgetown.edu or view the online interactive benefits guide for more information.

About Us

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is located on the Education City campus in Doha, Qatar and offers a variety of lifelong learning opportunities for the community. The four-year Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree program is delivered by the world renowned Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service with a curriculum that is identical to that offered to students in Washington, D. C. Each year, GU-Q admits a class of approximately 100 students, primarily from the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. GU-Q is sponsored by Qatar Foundation and is one of six American universities located within Education City. All students have access to a superb range of recreational and housing facilities offered by Qatar Foundation and they take classes in classrooms equipped with state of the art technology. The campus currently boasts the presence of one of the largest public access libraries in Qatar. The compensation, benefits, terms of employment and professional development opportunities for GU-Q faculty and staff are highly competitive.