Manager Building Services

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Help shape the future of innovation at Iowa State University by leading spaces where students, faculty, and staff turn creative ideas into hands-on experiences. The Student Innovation Center is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking Manager Building Services to oversee the people, technology, equipment, and daily operations of several innovative Makerspaces. This position provides leadership for the Electronics, Textiles and 3D Printing Makerspace, Digital Media Studio, Digital Modeling and Visualization Lab, and AI Innovation Studio.

This is a people leadership and operations managementrole in a highly technical, creative environment. The manager will lead professional and student staff with varied areas of expertise, establish priorities and expectations, support employee development, and foster a collaborative and accountable team. The position also oversees daily operations, technology and equipment planning, safety, customer service, training, budgets, purchasing, and continuous improvement.

We are looking for someone who enjoys bringing people and ideas together, solving operational challenges, and creating systems that help both employees and users succeed. The successful candidate does not need to be an expert in every technology within these spaces, but should be curious about emerging technologies and comfortable learning enough to ask good questions, evaluate recommendations, and make informed decisions.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills; and the ability to manage multiple priorities in an environment that continues to evolve. Just as importantly, they will foster a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported in exploring, creating, and learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and Develop Staff: Supervise a team of technical and professional staff, including hiring, coaching, performance management, employee development, scheduling, and fostering a collaborative, accountable team environment.
• Oversee Makerspace Operations: Manage daily operations across assigned makerspaces, including equipment, technology, software, staffing, space access, reservations, maintenance, and user services.
• Manage Technology and Equipment: Oversee equipment maintenance, software updates, troubleshooting, technical assessments, and technology projects to ensure reliable operations and effective service delivery.
• Support Safety and Compliance: Promote safe equipment use, coordinate safety training and inspections, and collaborate with Environmental Health and Safety to maintain compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Drive Strategic Planning and Innovation: Evaluate emerging technologies, identify opportunities for makerspace enhancements, and develop short- and long-term plans for equipment upgrades, replacement, and expansion.
• Manage Budgets and Resources: Oversee purchasing, equipment inventories, operational budgets, and resource allocation to support efficient and cost-effective operations.
• Develop Training and Operating Procedures: Establish and improve staff and user training, standard operating procedures, service standards, and operational practices across assigned spaces.
• Use Data to Improve Operations: Analyze participation, equipment usage, training, and customer service data to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and guide operational improvements.
• Build Collaborative Partnerships: Develop relationships with campus departments, student organizations, faculty, staff, vendors, and external partners to support makerspace programs, services, and initiatives.
• Support an Engaging User Experience: Ensure responsive customer service, assist with complex inquiries, and support an accessible, welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff can explore technologies and develop new skills.

About the Student Innovation Center

The Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University brings together students, faculty, staff, and industry partners from across disciplines to collaborate, experiment, and bring ideas to life. Through hands-on learning spaces, specialized equipment, emerging technologies, and opportunities for creative exploration, the Center supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. From digital media production and 3D printing to virtual reality and artificial intelligence, the Student Innovation Center provides an environment where individuals can develop new skills, explore possibilities, and turn ideas into meaningful solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising staff, including coaching, employee development, and performance management.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations in a makerspace, innovation lab, technology facility, instructional lab, production environment, or similar setting.
• Experience overseeing operations across multiple facilities, programs, or technical service areas.
• Experience managing budgets, procurement, inventory, equipment, or technology resources.
• Experience working with digital, media, visualization, fabrication, or emerging technologies.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to support operations, projects, or organizational goals.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

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Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email

eooffice@iastate.edu

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.