Executive Director of Facilities and Capital Planning

Overview

The Executive Director of Facilities and Capital Planning (hereinafter Director) will report to the Chief of Operations and will interact at a significant level with a wide range of staff across PPSD, the City of Providence Department of Public Property, the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Rhode Island Governor’s Office, as well as with other public agencies. The Director will be responsible for supporting the advancement of district capital planning, new school construction, and major school renovation projects, ensuring capital budgeting through final project execution are completed efficiently and with the interests of Providence’s students foremost in mind.

The individual in this role will also be responsible for managing the district’s maintenance and custodial budget, ensuring contracted maintenance and custodial activities meet standards of high-quality and are appropriately delivered. We are looking for a seasoned facilities leader to meet the ambitious goals set forth by the district.

This role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a leader within a diverse and dynamic team committed to the audacious task of transforming public education in Providence Public Schools. By any measure, and over many years, the Providence Public School District (PPSD) has failed to deliver on its most fundamental obligation: fair and equitable access to a rigorous education for all children.

The time for change is now and the district is in the process of a game-changing transformation led by a newly appointed State Turnaround Superintendent, in coordination with the Rhode Island Department of Education and with the support of the larger Providence community.

Since the beginning of the state intervention, expectations for what is possible with district facilities has changed dramatically. While just a short while ago the district’s capital plan was focused on small, band-aid fixes, it is now a comprehensive, multi-year plan focused on getting 100% of students in new or like new schools by 2030.

Meets the requirements of being a Certified Educational Facilities Manager:

• Has been certified an educational facilities manager through an industry accepted certification offered at a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an approved postsecondary institution located within or outside Rhode Island; or
• Has a college degree in a field related to facilities management
• Minimum of 10 years of supervisory experience in construction, facilities management, or related fields.

Knowledge, Skills, and Mindsets Required

• A deep belief in the capacity of all students to achieve at high levels
• The demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive transformative change within and outside of an organization
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job
• Proven ability to motivate staff/contractors to produce projects on time and within budget
• Excellent interpersonal skills, exhibiting an ability to effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders across a complex ecosystem, including school leaders administrators, colleagues, parents, contractors, and other Providence stakeholders
• Excellent presentation skills, coupled with experience presenting to senior management, board-level staff, and/or elected officials
• Available outside business hours, as needed, for meetings and project-specific tasks

• Ideal candidates will ideally have a minimum of 10 years of supervisory experience in construction, facilities management, or related fields. Knowledge of capital budgeting, contract practices, procurement, and construction regulations.
• Familiarity with state environmental regulations related to school buildings.
• Meets the requirements of being a Certified Educational Facilities Manager:
• Has been certified an educational facilities manager through an industry accepted certification offered at a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an approved postsecondary institution located within or outside Rhode Island; or
• Has a college degree in a field related to facilities management.

See full list of duties and responsibilities at: