Senior Automation Manager

Overview

The Operations Division at Tufts includes facilities, design and construction, campus and capital renewal planning, real estate, campus safety, dining, auxiliary services, and other related services on multiple campuses across 5.8 million square feet in 250 buildings. Operations services four campuses in Massachusetts: the main campus in Medford/Somerville, the health sciences and SMFA campuses in Boston and the veterinary school campus in Grafton. The Operations Division supports Tufts University’s mission in teaching, research, and clinics by providing stewardship, recommendations, services and advice in its primary areas of obligation: optimizing use of space and real estate, strategic and responsible management of the built environment, creating a secure campus environment and infrastructure, promoting best-in-class sustainability practices and policies, and creating exceptional community experiences that enhance Tufts’ reputation and brand.

The Facilities Management Department employs approximately 150 staff members including a unionized trades, grounds, labor force with outsourced custodial services. The annual operating budget is $120M, including $60M in capital renewal.

What You'll Do

Reporting to the Director of Campus Systems, Automation, and Energy, the Senior Automation Manager is a key leadership position responsible for the strategic oversight, development, operation, and continuous improvement of the university’s Building Automation Systems (BAS). This role is critical in ensuring campus facilities operate at peak efficiency through the integration of advanced automation technologies, standardization of system design—including point naming consistency, alarm prioritization, and hierarchy—and support of energy optimization initiatives.

The Senior Automation Manager will lead efforts to refine and streamline point and alarm structures to improve the efficiency of dispatching trades personnel, thereby enhancing overall operational performance. This position requires a proactive, forward-thinking leader who can effectively balance long-term strategic planning with day-to-day operations, while fostering a safe, inclusive, and productive environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through completion of Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 8+ years of experience or equivalent combination of work experience and training, including trade licenses.
• Experience of progressive leadership (either exempt or non-exempt capacity) in a facilities maintenance environment.
• High level of skill in communicating, interacting, and building relationships with internal/external stakeholders with an understanding of impact on the larger organization.
• Knowledge of building systems, utilities, facilities support and operations in building specifications/standards, central plant operation and distribution, building automation systems, commissioning and energy management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
• Must possess highly developed interpersonal skills, diplomacy and sensitivity, and the ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing, building, and maintaining effective working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability, and commitment to work effectively in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment and to value and respect different perspectives.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly, both verbally, graphically, and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional trade license related to Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
• And/or Advanced/Master’s degree in related field
• Experience working at a higher educational institution and/or non-profits, or a private firm serving institutional clients.
• Experience managing a team of staff members, both internal and external consultants and working on multiple projects in differing stages at one time
• Understanding of design, construction, project management, planning, operations, maintenance, and contract analysis/evaluation.

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

• This role is on-site.
• Role will be based on the Medford/Somerville Campus and will be expected to travel and work frequently at the Universities’ other campuses.

Pay Range

Minimum $116,500.00, Midpoint $145,600.00, Maximum $174,800.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.