Director of Buildings and Properties

Job Description

Title: Director of Buildings and Properties
Agency: Buildings and Properties
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Position: Full-time, Benefits, Exempt

JOB SUMMARY
To support the Diocese of Joliet in its mission of encountering the living Christ. This position is responsible for serving as key advisor to the bishop, pastors, and leadership staff in strategic oversight and administration of the properties and buildings of the Diocese of Joliet.

This position is responsible for the management of the Buildings and Properties Department and ensures Diocesan interests are protected and compliance met in all property-related matters. Overseas and manages all major construction projects overseeing temporal activities involving property acquisition and disposition, construction, renovation, building repairs, plant operation, maintenance, and procurement of related services for the Diocese of Joliet and its affiliated entities and agencies, farms and environmental monitoring and compliance.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative/Facilities Management
• Formulate and articulate a vision and manage the strategic plan for the Office of Building and Properties.
• Supervise and manage all staffing for the Buildings and Properties department.
• Establish appropriate building procedures and policies to efficiently process, maintain and archive all appropriate documentation, drawings, etc. related to property acquisition/disposition construction, renovation, risk management, etc.
• Manage Buildings and Properties department's budget.
• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with all diocese leadership and all diocesan parishes and diocesan properties.
• Present when needed to the Finance Council, Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.
• Establish good working relationships with pastors and parish staff related to regular maintenance and building projects.

Construction Management
• Provide advice and consultation on major building projects for parishes, schools, and diocesan owned properties to ensure compliance with all aspects of construction in partnership with the Construction and Environmental Manager.
• Responsible for approving and ensuring compliance with all diocesan construction management proposals, design, and construction documents.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and safety requirements in partnership with the Construction and Environmental Manager.
• Oversee an updated approved list of architects, engineers, specialty consultants, and contractors acceptable to the diocese.
• Act as owners' representative on all parish and diocesan construction projects.
• Resolve major disputes between owner, architect and contractor that may occur.
• Establish guidelines to assist parishes and agencies in monitoring the maintenance and upkeep of their facilities.
• Partner with the diocese staff on multiple projects ranging in size and complexity - including contracts and budget management and analysis of project funding sources and uses.
• Oversee the Diocesan Building and Properties Commission meetings, determining agenda and recruitment of membership available to the bishop for consultation.

Real Estate Management
• Manage all diocesan sales, purchases, leases, and maintenance of improved and unimproved land properties in coordination with Real Estate Attorney.
• Maintain the proper real estate tax status for diocesan property and related processes.
• Work closely with Chief Financial Officer and Finance staff on budgeting, planning, and funding of diocesan projects and acquisitions of property.
• Initiate the parish real estate request process, which includes recommendations and coordination with Buildings and Properties Commission or Finance Property sub-committee.
• With the assistance of the Real Estate Attorney, oversee the leasing of Diocesan and parish properties which includes reviewing leases, setting lease rates and advertising.
• Oversee the landscaping maintenance of all vacant lots in the Diocese of Joliet.

Facility Management
• Manage the Blanchette Catholic Center (BCC) Facility Manager on day-to-day operations and maintenance projects at the BCC and other diocesan properties, including priests' homes and retirement facility.
• Work closely with Blanchette Catholic Center Facility Manager and approves regular maintenance plans.
• Review service agreement contracts and seek competitive bids as need suggests.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Handle other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
• Ability to work in a team environment and maintain good working relationships with diocesan and parish staff.
• Ability to effectively evaluate, negotiate and execute real estate contracts, leases, design, service, and construction contracts.
• Extensive knowledge in senior management, architecture, structural engineering, planning and supervision of construction projects.
• Willingness to keep current in construction, renovation, estate, leasing, and maintenance fields.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Superior interpersonal and communications skills and ability to deal with people under a variety of conditions.
• Ability to make decisions, solve problems and consult reflecting Catholic teachings and traditions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of computer applications related to all job functions.
• Ability to achieve professional confidence in others and to elicit cooperation of others.
• Able to manage multiple complex tasks/projects and remain calm under pressure.
• Must be able to demonstrate a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to exercise prudent and independent judgment, and maintain efficient, confidential procedures in handling Diocesan matters.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture (preferred). A master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Licensure in respective fields required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years' experience working in a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of all phases of construction including but not limited to contracts, specifications and negotiations.
• A minimum of five years' experience in senior management with an emphasis in construction and commercial real estate purchasing and sales, property management and leasing.
• Active practicing Roman Catholic who is in full communion with the Church.
• Able to maintain a current Illinois driver's license; understanding frequent travel and site visits throughout the diocese is required.

SALARY RANGE
Salary range for this position is $80,000 - $115,000 annual, depending on qualifications.

BENEFITS
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Basic Life and AD & D, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Defined Pension Plan funded by Diocese of Joliet, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Paid Personal Leave Days, and Paid Holidays based on holiday schedule approved for Blanchette Catholic Center.
• Voluntary benefits of Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Permanent Life Insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• Normal working hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Flexibility of schedule is required with some weekend and evening work as needed or required.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, office/cell phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Frequent travel and site visits to parishes, schools and other properties throughout the Diocese of Joliet is a key part of the role. Reliable transportation is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to feel objects with tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This role requires site inspection work including walking construction sites, climbing rooftops, steeples and scaffolding.

To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter to humanresources@dioceseofjoliet.org. No phone calls, please. When sending your resume and cover letter, please reference Director of Buildings and Properties in the subject line of your email.

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This document is not intended to be a comprehensive list of work-related functions. All duties and work conditions listed are subject to change at the discretion of the Diocese of Joliet Management. The Diocese of Joliet will, in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), accommodate essential job functions whenever feasible.

About the Employer

The Diocese of Joliet encompasses 7 counties of northern Illinois and has a Catholic population of more than 658,000.