The Associate Director, Facilities is accountable for the strategic and operational leadership of integrated Engineering, Facilities Management, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) functions for the Philadelphia site. This role provides oversight across both GMP and non-GMP environments, ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable operations while delivering a best-in-class workplace experience through the execution of comprehensive soft services.

The scope of responsibility includes people leadership for staff, contractors, and vendors; ownership of operational and capital budgets; execution of small and large-scale construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects; development and maintenance of compliant facilities systems; and leadership of enterprise business continuity and disaster recovery efforts. The role serves as a culture champion, promoting safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the site.

This position partners closely with Corporate, Clinical, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Research, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support corporate strategy, clinical timelines, and manufacturing objectives. It is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring strong interpersonal skills, a service-oriented mindset, and a commitment to mentoring and developing high-performing teams while balancing strategic planning with daily operational excellence.

Duties And Responsibilities

Develops, communicates, and executes a strategic vision for Facilities, Engineering, and EHS that ensures reliable, compliant, and efficient daily site operations while supporting long-term business growth.
Provides overall leadership and oversight of integrated GMP and non-GMP engineering, facilities management, and EHS programs across U.S. site(s).
Establishes and manages departmental strategy, operational budgets, capital planning, and long-range infrastructure plans aligned with corporate objectives.
Leads and supports capital projects including site expansions, renovations, equipment installations, and infrastructure upgrades in live GMP environments.
Serves as a key participant and subject matter expert in internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance readiness activities.
Defines, tracks, and reports performance metrics (KPIs) related to facilities reliability, compliance, cost efficiency, safety, and service delivery.
Ensures all GMP and non-GMP documentation, run books, SOPs, and compliance records are current, audit-ready, and aligned with cGMP, company policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Provides strong leadership, coaching, and mentorship to engineering, facilities, soft services, and EHS teams, fostering accountability, engagement, and professional development.
Owns the development, execution, and continuous improvement of soft site services, including but not limited to:
Office space planning, layout design, and moves
Supply ordering, inventory control, and distribution
Conference room, town hall, and company meeting support
Operational documentation and run books
Policies and procedures for site operations
Site security, access control, and visitor management
Office maintenance, janitorial services, and vendor oversight
Landlord and property management relationships
Emergency preparedness and site response readiness
Overall workplace experience and operational excellence
Ensures all facility utilities and critical systems are fully operational, compliant, safe, and proactively maintained to support uninterrupted manufacturing and business operations.
Takes a hands-on leadership role in soft services execution while maintaining strategic ownership and accountability.
Owns and leads the integrated enterprise business continuity and disaster recovery programs for U.S. site(s), ensuring operational resilience and regulatory compliance.
Partners cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, MSAT, IT, HR, Finance, and Executive Leadership to align facilities operations with business and compliance needs.
Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, operational efficiency, and cost optimization.
Acts as a culture champion, reinforcing safety, quality, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned to support evolving business needs and organizational growth.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Facilities Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s degree or advanced technical certification preferred. Minimum of 12–15+ years of progressive facilities and maintenance operations experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success in facilities leadership roles with a proven record of delivering measurable results in operational excellence, compliance, cost control, and infrastructure reliability.
Strong expertise in project management and facilities operations, including capital projects, site expansions, renovations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Broad experience across engineering services, soft services, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) programs.
Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, translating long-term vision into executable plans that support business and site objectives.
Extensive experience managing construction, renovations, and upgrades in live GMP manufacturing environments with minimal operational disruption.
Demonstrated experience supporting sterile/aseptic injectable pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
Advanced technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), HVAC, utilities, and life-safety systems within a regulated GMP environment.
Exceptional customer service orientation with strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
Proven people leadership skills, including staff development, succession planning, performance management, and team building.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
High-energy, results-driven leader with a positive, “can-do” attitude and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and business needs.
Experience conducting systems investigations, deviations, and root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Proficiency with CMMS and BMS platforms, including program design, implementation, optimization, and data-driven performance management.
Demonstrated experience supporting EHS programs, regulatory compliance, audits, and corporate business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
Strong presentation and executive communication skills, with experience preparing and delivering materials to senior leadership.
Experience supporting pharmaceutical and/or biopharmaceutical facility ramp-ups, equipment layout planning, installation, qualification, and calibration activities.
Self-directed professional with a strong sense of accountability and ownership for operational performance and compliance.
Ability and willingness to serve as a culture champion, promoting safety, quality, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Proven ability to lead, build, and scale high-performing, cross-functional teams in a growing and dynamic organization.
Strong background in safety and compliance programs including emergency response, biosafety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, environmental hazard management, and ISO-standard implementation.
Demonstrated ability to develop, write, and maintain department operational, maintenance, engineering, and compliance SOPs in alignment with regulatory requirements.
Experience developing and scaling integrated facilities functions to support organizational growth, business continuity, and long-term site strategy.
Working knowledge of Pennsylvania OSHA, Pennsylvania EPA, and applicable county and municipal building, safety, and environmental codes and regulations.
Strong understanding of construction practices, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems and infrastructure.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project); experience with AutoCAD or similar design software strongly preferred.
Experience with RFQ/RFP development, vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, and contractor management.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively engage and influence all levels of the organization, from frontline operators to executive leadership, demonstrating professionalism, clarity, and respect.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including strong organizational, time management, and deadline-driven execution skills.

Physical Demands

Frequently required to stand
Frequently required to walk.
Frequently required to sit.
Frequently required to talk or hear.
Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds)
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust or focus

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment usually is quiet.

Equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

US WorldMeds jobs

Associate Director, Facilites

Never Miss a New Opportunity