Building Automation Systems Manager

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $60,906 and $77,047, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Facilities Services, the Building Automation Systems Manager provides university-wide leadership for the selection, installation, quality assurance, performance optimization, commissioning support, troubleshooting strategy, and technical governance of building automation systems across the campus portfolio. The position has a $1 million capital budget for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive controls and systems performance program that ensures building systems function safely, reliably, efficiently, and in alignment with design intent, operational requirements, occupant needs, and institutional sustainability goals.

This role leads the corrective maintenance and controls support function for new and existing building automation systems; establishes standards for performance validation, documentation, and acceptance; oversees technical staff and external service providers; and serves as the departments subject matter expert for controls-related system performance, optimization, and lifecycle planning. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the position supports the universitys commitment to operational excellence, reduced energy consumption, deferred maintenance reduction, and progress toward carbon neutrality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead, direct, and evaluate the work of senior staff and vendors responsible for the troubleshooting, repair, optimization, and performance verification of campus building automation systems. Identify areas of weakness and develop strategies for internal resources to gain experience or seek training. Determine the need for external resources when necessary and balance limited operational funding, with system requirements for repair or replacement. Establish work priorities, staffing plans, technical expectations, service standards, training requirements, and safety practices for corrective maintenance and controls support operations. Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, employee development, scheduling, and corrective action as needed to ensure efficient, accountable, and responsive team performance. (20%)
• Provide technical leadership for the prioritization of building automation systems capital projects. Understand market conditions which impact vendor selection and drive costs for system maintenance and replacement. Oversee the creation of system specifications and operating sequences. Direct the review, validation, and acceptance of new and modified controls installations, system upgrades, and renewal projects. Develop strategies to confirm that systems and sequences operate in accordance with design intent, project specifications, operational needs, and sustainability objectives. Identify deficiencies, coordinate corrective actions with internal stakeholders and contractors, and support successful system turnover and long-term maintainability. (20%)
• Direct the evaluation, analysis, and optimization of existing campus building automation systems relative to original design intent, current operational use, occupant comfort, equipment reliability, maintainability, and energy performance goals. Identify systemic deficiencies, recurring failures, and optimization opportunities, and develop corrective action strategies that improve performance while reducing operational risk and unnecessary energy use. Develop and maintain an integrated priority list for building automation systems upgrades bases on system age, condition, reliability, maintainability, operations impact, and institutional priorities. (15%)
• Develop, implement, and maintain university standards and procedures for controls-related troubleshooting, sequence verification, testing, and acceptance. Establish consistent processes for evaluating new and existing building automation systems to ensure installations, modifications, and repairs comply with university standards, applicable codes, and operational requirements. (10%)
• Lead technical coordination for controls-related projects, including development of scopes of work, bid documents, technical specifications, testing requirements, progress documentation, and performance criteria. Review contractor proposals for technical conformance, participate in vendor selection and contract evaluation, oversee contractor performance, and support negotiation and execution of service and project agreements to ensure quality, compliance, and value. (10%)
• Serve as a technical advisor in the planning, prioritization, and implementation of major renewal and replacement projects related to building automation systems. Analyze system condition, failure patterns, operational risk, maintainability, and efficiency opportunities to prioritize capital investments that are well past lifecycle needs. (10%)
• Collaborate with utilities, maintenance, engineering, customer service, project management, sustainability, and risk management to mitigate building automation systems failure exposure and maximize operational continuity. Serve as a technical resource in the interpretation of controls-related issues, project requirements, and system performance concerns affecting research, academic, residential, and administrative spaces. (10%)
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive technical documentation related to controls and system performance, including equipment inventories, nameplate data, control sequences, deficiency logs, and testing results. Ensure documentation supports operational decision-making, troubleshooting, audit readiness, capital planning, and asset management. (4%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with utilities, maintenance, customer service, engineering, project management, and sustainability staff to coordinate controls strategy, corrective actions, service priorities, and operational performance.

University: Regular contact with department leadership and other campus stakeholders to exchange information regarding building systems and operational impacts.

External: Frequent contact with vendors, contractors, controls manufacturers, design professionals, commissioning agents, and service providers to exchange technical information, coordinate work, review performance, and ensure contract and project compliance.

Students: Minimal contact with students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervise two Skilled Trades Worker 2 positions and two Skilled Trades Worker 3 positions, engaged in controls troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, system optimization, and performance validation. Provide leadership in evaluating work, setting priorities, ensuring safety and quality standards, supporting training and development, and maintaining accountability for service delivery. Provide functional oversight to contractors, vendors, and project resources engaged in controls-related work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations, building automation controls, systems troubleshooting, commissioning, utilities, or related technical infrastructure environments required. Demonstrated experience coordinating contractors and managing complex controls and building automation systems initiatives strongly preferred. Experience in higher education, healthcare, research, or other complex institutional settings preferred.

Education: High school education required. Combination of advanced technical training, industry certifications, or directly related experience required. Formal training and demonstrated proficiency in one or more major controls platforms such as Barber Coleman, Square D Power Logic, Johnson Controls, Trane, Seimens, or comparable systems required. Must be willing to pursue additional education, certification, and technical training as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of HVAC systems, building automation controls, and related mechanical/electrical system interactions, including troubleshooting, programming modifications, sequence verification, and system optimization.
• Ability to diagnose complex building systems issues and determine appropriate corrective actions using operational data, field observations, design documentation, and technical judgment.
• Experience establishing or enforcing technical standards, quality assurance processes, and documentation practices for building systems or controls-related work.
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams of skilled technical employees and to hold staff and contractors accountable for safety, quality, timeliness, and performance outcomes.
• Experience developing scopes of work, reviewing technical specifications, evaluating contractor or vendor proposals, and overseeing execution of controls-related projects or service agreements.
• Ability to interpret and apply blueprints, control drawings, sequences of operation, equipment submittals, specifications, technical procedures, business correspondence, and applicable code or regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, technical correspondence, and performance summaries and to explain complex building systems issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to define problems, collect and interpret data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant building automation, maintenance, energy management, and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of local codes, OSHA requirements, state and local safety rules, and other applicable regulatory standards related to facilities operations and building systems.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and respond effectively to urgent operational issues.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI).

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift and/or occasionally move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee can frequently be exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of radiation and the potential for electrical shock. The employee will occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme heat, and/or extreme cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must be willing to be on-call in case of emergency.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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