Manager, Operations
Duke University
Durham, NC · Posted October 22, 2026
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Where Durham, NC ranks
Where Durham, NC placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #4Best cities for director and executive jobs in the Southeast27% · of 87
- #10Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Southeast7% · of 77
- #10Best cities for junior jobs in North Carolina25% · of 11
- #12Best cities for clinical jobs76 openings · of 22
- #13Best cities for education jobs155 openings · of 47
- #13Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast10% · of 87
Rankings about operations jobs
- Best cities for operations jobs #1 New York (1,429 openings)
- Best cities for operations pay after cost of living #1 Reston ($177k)
- Most requested AI skills in operations jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (2.5%)
- AI tools named most often in operations jobs #1 Claude (0.28%)
- Employers with the most operations jobs #1 Amazon (1,480 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among general and operations managers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for general and operations managers: 14% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Be You.
At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Operations Manager, Facilities Management , you will provide leadership and direction for a critical facilities service delivery area that supports Duke's world-class teaching, research, healthcare, and campus operations. Your ability to develop people, optimize processes, foster collaboration, and drive operational excellence will directly impact the experience of faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors across the Duke community.
Be Bold.
As the Operations Manager , you will oversee facility operations within an assigned service area, ensuring high-quality service delivery, effective resource management, and operational efficiency. You will lead a team of facilities professionals, manage budgets and performance metrics, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborate with stakeholders across the University to support Duke's mission.
What You'll Do:
Operations Leadership & Service Delivery
Lead, supervise, and coordinate facilities management services for assigned campus areas.
Plan, prioritize, and allocate resources to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
Develop and implement processes that support accurate work assignment, scheduling, and completion.
Ensure compliance with established operational procedures, service standards, and key performance indicators.
Monitor daily operations to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and with a high level of customer satisfaction.
Team Leadership & Employee Development
Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and support to facilities management staff.
Manage personnel activities including recruitment, hiring, performance management, promotions, disciplinary actions, transfers, and scheduling.
Identify training needs and ensure employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for success.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable work environment that promotes collaboration and professional growth.
Build and maintain productive relationships with union leadership and represented employees, where applicable.
Process Improvement & Performance Management
Analyze operational performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
Evaluate work quality, productivity, efficiency, and service outcomes.
Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and customer service.
Prepare reports, performance analyses, and recommendations for department leadership.
Evaluate equipment, tools, technologies, and work processes to improve reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.
Budget & Resource Management
Assist in developing departmental budgets and fiscal plans.
Monitor expenditures and manage resources in accordance with University policies and procedures.
Verify, track, and reconcile budgeted expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Support strategic planning efforts related to operational and capital resource needs.
Identify opportunities to maximize operational effectiveness while maintaining financial stewardship.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Develop strong partnerships with faculty, staff, departmental leaders, and campus stakeholders.
Serve as a key point of contact regarding facilities operations and service delivery.
Communicate effectively with customers to understand operational needs and ensure service expectations are met.
Promote a customer-focused culture that emphasizes responsiveness, professionalism, and accountability.
Emergency Preparedness & Safety
Participate in Facilities Management emergency preparedness, business continuity, and emergency response activities.
Support emergency response efforts and serve as a leader during operational incidents when required.
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with environmental health and safety requirements.
Support initiatives that improve workplace safety and reduce operational risk.
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications
Associate degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid professional licenses or certifications, where applicable.
Experience
Eight years of progressive facilities management operations experience.
Minimum of three years of supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing resources, and improving operational performance.
Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong knowledge of facilities management operations, maintenance practices, and service delivery models.
Experience managing budgets, operational metrics, and workforce planning.
Ability to analyze performance data and make strategic operational recommendations.
Strong leadership, employee development, and change management skills.
Excellent communication, customer service, and relationship-building abilities.
Experience working in large, complex institutional, healthcare, higher education, or campus environments.
Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Choose Duke.
When you join Duke, you become part of an institution known worldwide for excellence in education, healthcare, research, and service. Facilities Management professionals play a critical role in creating and maintaining the environments where innovation, discovery, and learning thrive.
Why Duke?
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits programs
Generous retirement and paid time-off offerings
Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
Collaborative and mission-driven work environment
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact across a world-renowned institution
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply now and help shape the facilities, services, and operational excellence that support Duke's mission today and for generations to come.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $63,948.00 to USD $109,786.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).