Executive Director, Facilities Operations

Sodexo Corporate Services Division is seeking an Executive Director of Facilities to support a large corporate service client across our client portfolio in Midwest Region. 

Executive Director of Operations (Multi-Site) is a leadership role in the Life Science sector responsible for the strategic oversight, efficiency, and standardized performance of the daily operational activities across several locations. This executive serves as the critical link between corporate strategy and frontline execution, ensuring that every site aligns with the company’s broader mission while maximizing profitability. 

Role Summary

The Executive Director of Operations overseas multiple facilities, focusing on operational excellence, resource optimization, and the implementation of uniform policies and procedures. The primary goal is to drive consistent, high-quality performance across all locations by managing budgets, leading diverse teams, and optimizing supply chains. 

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Key Responsibilities

• Multi-Site Oversight: Develop and implement long-term operational strategies that align with organizational objectives across all assigned sites.
• Operational Excellence & Standardization: Design and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency in quality, productivity, and safety across different locations.
• Financial & Budgetary Management: Monitor revenue margins and conduct rigorous budget reviews to maximize profits and ensure cost-efficiency at each site.
• Leadership & Team Development: Direct oversight of leadership team which includes developing site leads, managers and diverse operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Process Improvement: Analyze performance metrics and data to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve efficiencies across the sites
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all sites adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, FDA, DEP and EPA standards.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Maintain strong relationships with external partners, vendors, and internal departments (Finance, HR, Sales) to optimize service delivery. 

• Relationship Architecture: Build and maintain multi-level relationships within client organizations (from site-level contacts to C-suite executives) to ensure long-term retention and loyalty.
• Growth & Upselling: Identify opportunities within existing third-party contracts to expand service offerings or add additional services, driving organic revenue growth.
• Influencing & Negotiation: The ability to navigate complex "win-win" scenarios where third-party needs must be balanced against internal operational capacity.
• Customer Centricity: A mindset focused on "The Voice of the Customer," ensuring site managers prioritize client experience alongside internal KPIs.
• Strategic Account Management: Act as the primary executive liaison for third-party customers, ensuring operational delivery aligns with contractual Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field
• Experience: Typically requires 8–10+ years of senior management experience, with a multi-site experience

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate high-level vision into actionable site-specific plans.
• Planning: Develop and implement structured change management strategies that maximize employee adoption and usage while minimizing resistance.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in evaluating complex data, financial reports, and performance metrics to make informed decisions.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Travel Capability: Flexibility to travel frequently between various site locations to support operational needs and client audits. 

• Leadership & Team Management: Leading diverse teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.

• Commercial Acumen: Understanding the financial impact of contract terms, penalties, and incentives on the overall health of the multi-site operation.
• Influencing & Negotiation: The ability to navigate complex "win-win" scenarios where third-party needs must be balanced against internal operational capacity.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Management Experience - 7 years

Minimum Functional Experience- 7 years in facilities management, engineering, management of business/operations service in both soft and hard facilities services