VP of Facilities

Reporting and scope

Reports to the COO, CFO or Executive Director / CEO. Authority covers buildings, grounds and physical plant across the organization.

Core responsibilities

• Oversees maintenance, custodial, security and physical plant operations
• Plans and manages capital projects and renovations
• Manages facility budgets and service contracts
• Maintains regulatory and life-safety compliance, including accreditation surveys where they apply
• Plans space use for programs and employees
• Works with development on capital campaigns and naming projects

How it differs

Director of Facilities runs the function at a lower level. Director of Real Estate handles acquisitions, leases and property strategy. VP of Operations covers a broader span that may include facilities.

By organization size

In small nonprofits facilities is a manager-level job or bundled with operations. Hospitals, universities and campus-based organizations have VPs with large teams and capital budgets.