Building Director

Overview At CLS Living , our mission is simple: to deliver an unparalleled resident experience and foster an exceptional workplace environment . We are committed to building a world-class team of passionate individuals who thrive in a culture of positivity, creativity, and continuous growth. Each day brings new opportunities to innovate, lead, and make a meaningful impact. We take pride in our vibrant, design-forward communities and in the devoted teams who manage them with care and integrity. Our success starts with our people—and when our team thrives, our residents do too. Company Benefits & Perks We believe in rewarding our team with benefits that support both personal and professional well-being: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) 401(k) with Company Matching Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Life Insurance & Parental Leave Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Relocation Assistance Professional Development & Advancement Opportunities Supportive, Fun, and Flexible Work Environment Access to an Unmatched Company Culture that values individuality and innovation Responsibilities The Job At-A-Glance CLS Living is seeking a highly skilled, hands-on Building Director / Maintenance Supervisor to oversee the maintenance, operations, and technical performance of a complex high-rise community. This is a critical property leadership role for a sophisticated building with intricate mechanical, life-safety, building automation, and SMART building systems. The ideal candidate is more than a traditional Maintenance Supervisor. We are looking for a building systems expert who understands the mechanics and infrastructure of a high-rise property—including large-scale HVAC systems, boilers, plumbing, electrical systems, life-safety systems, and building automation—and can effectively manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.This role will lead the maintenance team while serving as the property's technical resource and partner to the General Manager and Regional Facilities Manager. Key Responsibilities Building Systems & Technical Operations Serve as the property's primary technical expert for building systems, infrastructure, and mechanical operations. Oversee and maintain major building systems, including large-scale HVAC equipment, boilers, chillers, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, pumps, and other mechanical equipment. Diagnose complex building system issues and coordinate appropriate repairs and solutions. Maintain a strong understanding of SMART building and building automation systems, including monitoring system performance, identifying issues, and coordinating troubleshooting. Oversee life-safety systems, including fire protection and other critical safety infrastructure. Develop and manage comprehensive preventive maintenance programs to minimize system failures and protect the long-term condition of the property. Conduct regular inspections of mechanical rooms, units, common areas, equipment, and building infrastructure. Maintain detailed records of inspections, repairs, preventive maintenance, and system performance. Respond to building emergencies and participate in emergency preparedness and response planning. Ensure the property remains safe, functional, compliant, and operational at all times. Maintenance Leadership & Team Development Lead, supervise, and develop a high-performing maintenance team. Establish clear expectations for productivity, quality, responsiveness, safety, and accountability. Provide ongoing training, coaching, and mentorship to maintenance team members. Ensure maintenance staff follow proper procedures and safety protocols. Promote a culture of professionalism, teamwork, ownership, and exceptional resident service. Ensure service requests and work orders are completed accurately, efficiently, and within established expectations. Lead by example with a strong work ethic, integrity, and hands-on approach. Project & Property Operations Effectively manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously, including ongoing maintenance, capital projects, unit turns, emergencies, and vendor work. Oversee Make Ready and unit turnover processes, ensuring units are completed on schedule and meet CLS Living standards. Coordinate and supervise contractors and vendors performing work throughout the property. Obtain bids, evaluate proposals, negotiate pricing, and ensure vendor work is completed properly. Partner with the General Manager and Regional Facilities Manager on capital improvement projects and long-term building maintenance planning. Identify potential building issues before they become major operational or financial problems. Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules for critical equipment and systems. Assist with property inspections and ensure deficiencies are addressed promptly. Financial & Strategic Support Assist the General Manager with the development and management of the property's maintenance and capital budgets. Monitor maintenance expenses and ensure spending remains aligned with budget expectations. Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs while maintaining quality and resident satisfaction. Evaluate repair-versus-replace decisions for major equipment and building systems. Support revenue-generating initiatives, including applicable resident bill-backs. Assist with long-term capital planning and replacement schedules for major building systems. Partner with the Regional Facilities Manager to monitor capital projects, budgets, timelines, and completion. Resident Experience & Community Leadership Provide responsive, professional, and solutions-oriented service to residents. Communicate proactively with residents regarding maintenance issues and building disruptions. Escalate significant resident concerns to the General Manager promptly. Build positive working relationships with vendors, contractors, university partners, local officials, and community stakeholders. Represent CLS Living's brand and culture in every interaction. Maintain a resident-first mindset while balancing operational, safety, and financial priorities. Qualifications Qualifications & Technical Expertise Required Certifications & Experience HVAC certification required. Plumbing certification required. 3–5 years of experience managing building systems in a high-rise, student housing, multifamily, commercial, hospitality, or similarly complex property. At least 3 years of supervisory or maintenance leadership experience. Demonstrated experience working with complex mechanical and building systems. Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously. Experience with preventive maintenance programs and emergency response. Building Systems Expertise The successful candidate should have strong working knowledge of: Large-scale HVAC systems Boilers and related mechanical systems Plumbing and water systems Electrical systems Building automation systems SMART building technology Life-safety and fire protection systems Pumps, water heaters, and other major mechanical equipment Building controls and monitoring systems Preventive maintenance programs High-rise building infrastructure Property Management & Software Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel. Experience with property management software; Entrata experience preferred . Experience documenting work orders, inspections, preventive maintenance, and vendor activity. Familiarity with building automation and SMART building platforms. Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge Working knowledge of Fair Housing Laws and EEO requirements. Understanding of applicable building, safety, and life-safety regulations. Familiarity with LIHTC and market-rate housing programs preferred. What We're Looking For This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can look at a complex building and understand how the entire property works together.The ideal candidate: Understands the mechanics and infrastructure of a high-rise building. Is comfortable working with complex HVAC, boilers, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Has strong HVAC and plumbing expertise and the required certifications. Understands SMART building and building automation systems. Can troubleshoot sophisticated building issues and work effectively with specialized vendors. Can manage several projects and competing priorities without losing focus on day-to-day operations. Is comfortable getting into the details rather than simply delegating work. Thinks proactively about equipment, maintenance, and long-term building performance. Can lead a maintenance team while also serving as the property's technical authority. Understands that in a complex building, small issues can quickly become major operational problems. Brings strong communication, organization, judgment, and problem-solving skills. Why This Role Matters This property requires more than routine maintenance oversight. The building's internal systems are complex, and the successful candidate will play a critical role in keeping those systems operating safely, efficiently, and reliably. We are looking for a sophisticated building operations and facilities professional who can combine technical expertise with strong leadership and project management skills. If you have the mechanical knowledge, high-rise building experience, leadership ability, and hands-on approach to take ownership of a complex property, we want to hear from you. Additional Requirements Valid driver's license required. Ability to work a flexible schedule based on property needs. Ability to respond to after-hours emergencies. Ability to work in mechanical rooms, rooftops, equipment areas, and other building environments. Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment and materials as required to perform essential job functions. The activities listed above are not all-inclusive and may be subject to change based on business and property needs. CLS Living is very proud to be recognized as a certified Great Places to Work company. CLS Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. Pay Range USD $95,000.00 - USD $95,000.00 /Yr.