Head of General Services and Campus Management

To lead, plan, and oversee all aspects of General Services and Campus Management at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), ensuring that the campus operates efficiently, safely, and sustainably. This includes the strategic planning and management of facilities and operations, general services, compliance and safety, project management, stakeholder collaboration and the oversight of sustainability initiatives in coordination with internal stakeholders, service providers, and partners such as SERCO and Mubadala.

The purpose of this role is to ensure an optimal environment that supports the academic, research, and operational needs of the University community, while continuously enhancing service quality, compliance, and cost efficiency.

Facilities Operations Management

• Collaborate with SERCO and Mubadala to ensure that the SUAD campus is fit for purpose including classrooms, labs, common spaces, dormitories, etc. This includes keeping an up-to-date register of all facilities and assets to ensure the regular maintenance, repairs, renovations, and upgrades for buildings, infrastructure and equipment, utilities and campus specific infrastructure meet standards and expectations.
• Coordinate with all relevant internal teams and external stakeholders and vendors to ensure that facility related needs are met with the timely resolution of issues.
• In collaboration with SERCO, ensure that SUAD has the relevant facilities staff (e.g., maintenance technicians, cleaners, security personnel) and third party contractors to provide a full campus service to the community, that is supported by relevant training, performance evaluation, and workforce planning.
• Coordinate with SERCO and Mubadala to ensure space planning and allocation are optimized and manage any potential campus expansion or relocation plans.

Strategic Planning & Sustainability

• In collaboration with SERCO, develop and execute long term campus management strategies aligned with organizational growth and sustainability goals and targets (e.g., campus expansion, energy efficiency, green initiatives, carbon neutrality, space optimization).
• Align facilities and campus plans with institutional growth and budget constraints.
• Manage annual budgets for general services and facilities, track expenses, and identify cost saving opportunities without compromising service quality.
• Collaborate with SERCO and Mubadala to conduct space needs assessments, feasibility studies, and capital project planning (e.g., new construction, expansions, or relocations) in alignment with the growth strategy of the university.

General Services Management

• Manage all aspects of campus general services in collaboration with SERCO to ensure housekeeping, groundskeeping, waste management, catering, and other operational needs are fit for purpose and align with the University sustainability strategy and policies.
• Manage all components of institutional events and activities such as facility bookings, event logistics, and visitor services, catering and support to ensure that the quality of event management meets expectations.
• Monitor vendor performance for contracted services and ensure ongoing cost effectiveness and quality.
• Ensure efficient utilities management and energy saving (water, electricity, gas) in line with the SUAD sustainability strategy and policies and collaborate with SERCO to negotiate contracts with service providers that optimize costs and reliability.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to local, national, and international regulations (e.g., health and safety, fire codes, environmental laws, accessibility standards like ADA).
• Implement and monitor safety protocols, emergency response plans, and risk mitigation strategies (e.g., disaster preparedness, security audits).
• Collaborate with SERCO, Mubadala and national regulatory bodies to ensure regular inspections of facilities are conducted to identify hazards, assess maintenance needs, and enforce compliance with quality standards.

Project Management

• Partner will all relevant internal and external stakeholders to oversee a number of projects including campus expansion adhering to standard timelines, and deliverables.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork within the team and across departments to deliver reliable services.
• Partner with department heads to understand facility requirements (e.g., office layouts, lab equipment needs) and align services with business priorities.
• Communicate facility updates, disruptions, or changes to employees, tenants, or clients proactively (via reports, emails, or meetings).

Technology & Innovation

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to explore and implement smart facilities solutions (e.g., IoT enabled monitoring, predictive maintenance tools) that will enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Manage facility management software (FMS) systems to track work orders, inventory, and performance metrics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive experience in facilities management, with 5+ years in a leadership/managerial role.
• Proven track record of managing large facilities portfolios or multi site operations.
• Certifications (preferred): Certified Facilities Manager (CFM), Facilities Management Professional (FMP), or similar industry recognized credentials.
• Leadership: Ability to motivate, develop, and manage a diverse team of facilities staff and contractors.
• Technical Expertise: Knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, sustainability standards, and local regulations.
• Project Management: Strong Experience in managing a range of projects ensuring adherence to strict timelines and deliverables.
• Financial management: Proficiency in budgeting, cost analysis, and vendor contract management.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills to resolve complex facility issues (e.g., system failures, space constraints) efficiently.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication to liaise with stakeholders, staff, and external partners.