Senior Specialist, Renovations & Facilities

As the fastest-growing, highest-performing charter school network in New York State, Success Academy is reimagining K-12 public education. Nationally recognized for their innovative, whole-child school model and outstanding academic results, Success Academy educators are empowering children from all backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and self-belief to succeed in college and in life.

Responsibilities

The academy is searching for a results-driven Building Manager to join our Facilities & Renovations team. Reporting to the Team Lead, Renovations & Facilities, the Building Manager will project manage spatial design initiatives, capital improvement projects, and strategic maintenance of Success Academy’s current and potential building stock. The role will be accountable to strategize and execute the continuous improvement of SA’s capital building stock and adherence to best-in-class and sustainable educational space usage and design standards.

The Building Manager will

• Develop, implement, and oversee the long-term facilities plans for the portfolio of schools, aligning with SA design standards.
• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments to identify current and future facilities requirements.
• Analyze and evaluate existing facilities for their condition, functionality, and capacity.
• Manage routine maintenance activities, including cleaning, repairs, and inspections.
• Respond to emergency maintenance requests in a timely and efficient manner.
• Serve as the main project manager on future renovation projects and capital improvement projects in our current building stock.
• Proactively collaborate and gain buy in from all internal stakeholders - Executive, Schooling, K-12 Learning, Creative Agency, Technology, Communications, Finance, and Procurement - to secure sign off.
• Manage SA external service providers and vendors for development projects including architects, expeditors, engineers, specialty consultants, suppliers and industry professionals.
• Lead due diligence including NYC zoning, test-fits, code compliance, and feasibility studies for new building acquisition efforts.
• Manage floor plans & enrollment updates with school based staff to provide transparency into future school section counts and renovation needs.
• Support schooling and enrollment to build out full scopes of construction work to match the long term capital plan vision and yearly instructional needs.
• Work directly with DOE representatives to navigate third party submittals and receive necessary approvals to conduct work, coordinate DOE moves, and close out job sites.
• Build and track budgets for all necessary projects ensuring the projects are completed within budget.
• Manage contracts and COI documentation in conjunction with SA legal team to update yearly documentation and reduce risk for not only Design and Renovations, but SA as an entity.

Qualifications

• At least 5-7 years of experience managing service providers in real estate, architecture, construction, facilities, operations, procurement, or in a related industry.
• Prior experience managing multiple complex projects with unwavering deadlines.
• Knowledge of design process, construction building principles and practices.
• Demonstrated high level of performance in project budgeting, contract negotiations and scheduling.
• Direct experience working with governmental partners such as the Department of Education (Division of School Facilities), School Construction Authority, Department of Buildings, Department of Transportation.
• Ability to successfully develop project plans that forecast challenges and reflect a strong understanding of SA’s operational school model.
• Ability to swiftly take action in an environment of change and ambiguity, while partnering with the necessary stakeholders and managing communication and change management.
• Experience balancing competing demands and priorities in planning, managing, and executing key facilities issues.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, and are adept at communicating with stakeholders and decision makers across multiple constituent groups.
• Proven leadership skills, self-motivated, collaborative and entrepreneurial by nature.
• Ability to be a strong advocate for SA’s schools, consistently demonstrate excellence and innovation in its facilities and aesthetics and support the growing operations teams to do the same.