Associate Director, IMU Facilities and Operations
The Division of Student Life is seeking candidates for the position of Associate Director of IMU Facilities and Operations. This position plays a critical leadership role in managing the Iowa Memorial Union’s facility operations and event support services. This position oversees maintenance, repair, and safety programs for the IMU, ensures compliance with university and regulatory standards, and provides strategic direction for operational efficiency. The Associate Director is a key contributor to creating a welcoming environment and delivering exceptional customer service to students, university departments, and external clients.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Serve as manager of IMU facilities operations including supervision of staff
Serve as Manager on Duty during building emergencies
Meet with clients providing excellent customer service.
Oversee and manage IMU facility and operations, furniture, equipment, and system needs such as janitorial/custodial, maintenance, pest control, OSHA regulations, building security, recycling, composting, freight dock, telecommunications, technology, etc.
Collaborate with and support event management and associated staff with event set up and overall coordination.
Ensure all emergency preparedness plans and policies are in place, i.e., flood response, and standard processes outlined in the UI Critical Incident Management Plan. Act as primary contact with associated public and UI department officials.
Perform supervisory functions, such as interviewing, employee training, performance evaluation, discipline, and recommend salary increase, promotions, or dismissals.
Prepare and monitor department budgets. Establish customer-focused policies and procedures for facility and event space use.
Participate in long-range planning, program review, and development of IMU policy and administrative procedures.
Collaborate with the Student Life Communications to ensure a marketing plan is in place to promote event spaces and the facility.
Make recommendations on policy and procedural changes.
Work with clients to resolve service concerns and complaints.
For a detailed job description, please email Ruth Appleton at ruth-appleton@uiowa.edu.
About the Division of Student Life
The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
Required Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and related facility and supervisory experience.
Considerable (3-5 years) event related experience which includes space planning, facility logistics, event planning, customer relations, and project management.
Ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to develop and improve individual, team, and organizational performance.
Extensive knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Valid Iowa driver’s license and be able to meet the University’s Fleet Safety Program requirements.
Experience with event management computer programs and digital display system specifically, Visix digital display, event management systems, similar to Mazévo, and Visio room diagram programs.
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, policies and practices for planning and administering a budget
Ability to respond to crisis or concerning situations; serve on duty for incidents at night and on weekends at times.
Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining a welcoming and respectful environment
Ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
Desirable Qualifications
Master's degree in Facility Management, Business Administration Project or Operations Management, or an equivalent combination of education and facility related experience.
Working knowledge of and ability to use tools and techniques to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from an emergency.
Ability to apply organization’s performance management systems for staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Some knowledge of IMU goals and priorities and how to best align with the UI Strategic Plan to meet campus needs.
Some knowledge of UI policies and procedures.
Application Details
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States. For questions or additional information, please contact Ruth Appleton at ruth-appleton@uiowa.edu.
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
