Associate Director for Building Operations, Safety and Security

About the Role
The position, located in Doha, Qatar, will lead building operations, maintenance, safety, and security at the company’s Qatar campus, ensuring safe, sustainable, compliant, and customer-focused services. The role will support the Chief Facilities Management Officer (CFMO) with strategy, budgets, and performance across Facilities Management, Auxiliary Services, Bookstore, and Events, while developing the broader leadership capabilities needed for potential future progression to CFMO, subject to organizational needs and readiness.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead building operations, maintenance, custodial, safety, and security services, ensuring continuity, compliance with local and international regulations, and effective use of resources.
• Manage relationships with Qatar Foundation (QF), contractors, and university stakeholders to maintain high service standards and resolve escalated issues.
• Oversee service delivery, staff and contractor performance, operational risk, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
• Support the CFMO with integrated planning, budgets, performance reporting, and improvement across the wider Facilities Management portfolio.
• Lead delegated cross-functional initiatives and deputize for the CFMO within agreed authority.

Key Activities:

• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance, building systems, cleaning, security, space planning, capital works, and asset management in coordination with QF.
• Ensure effective use of the helpdesk and permit-to-work systems; monitor service levels, contractor compliance, and customer feedback.
• Maintain safety procedures, inspections, fire warden arrangements, emergency plans, drills, and corrective actions; support relevant QF committees.
• Act as the Chief Fire Warden during evacuation emergencies.
• Drive sustainability, accessibility, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and technology-enabled improvements.
• Coordinate operational support for university events, IT/AV projects, and shared campus users, including Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
• Oversee access control, CCTV, ID cards, keys, vehicle tags, and the Student Guard Programme.
• Monitor expenditure, contracts, procurement, and service performance; identify savings and support annual budgeting, forecasting, and capital priorities.
• Work with Auxiliary Services, Bookstore, and Events leads to understand their service, commercial, and financial priorities.
• Prepare performance reports and business cases; lead assigned cross-functional projects and represent the CFMO when delegated.
• Keep faculty, staff, and students informed on facility updates and building projects; manage FM content on the company’s web portal and supply weekly operational updates for university newsletters and CFMO leadership briefings.
• Manage and oversee the work of direct reports, including setting and reviewing performance objectives, and identifying training and development needs.
• Liaise with Human Resources to manage recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding of direct reports, as required.
• Supervise, train, and mentor contracted staff and service providers.
• Respond to urgent requests and concerns via email, texts, and phone calls outside of normal working hours.
• Respond to and manage safety and security-related issues, including coordinating procedures and communicating with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide operational support during evenings and weekends, as needed.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of hard and soft facilities services, building systems, security, safety, sustainability, and relevant Qatar/international standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, contracts, procurement, risk, projects, and performance indicators.
• Strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and understanding of auxiliary, retail/bookstore, and events operations.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, communication, problem-solving, and change management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CAFM, and relevant building/technical systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• CFM/FMP (IFMA or equivalent) and NEBOSH IGC or equivalent.
• Postgraduate management qualification, LEED/SFP, NFPA fire certification, and professional membership preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years’ relevant facilities/building operations experience, preferably in higher education.
• 8+ years’ experience leading diverse teams, contractors, and complex projects.
• Experience with budgets, supplier performance, strategic planning, safety/security, and sustainability.
• Experience working across cultures and functions; exposure to commercial services, retail, or events desirable.
• Demonstrated progression in leadership responsibility and ability to develop managers.

Expatriate Benefits and Relocation Support
The company offers a highly competitive expatriate benefits package including a monthly transportation and home leave travel allowance, worldwide health insurance, and generous private school tuition support for accompanying children, along with other benefits.
Relocating to a new country can be a significant undertaking, and the company is committed to providing comprehensive relocation support. This includes visa processing, arranging travel to Qatar, fully furnished temporary accommodation, transportation upon arrival, and campus orientation, helping new employees and their families settle into life in Qatar and the company community.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.