Jobs › University of Chicago

Manager, Campus Trades

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $94,249–$110,881 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

You'd lead more than 25 people across the structural mechanic, carpentry, locksmith and decorating shops. How do you manage trades that you've never personally worked in?

What they are checking: Whether they lead through respect for craft experts rather than pretending to know every trade.

Tell me about a building envelope, masonry or sheet metal project you oversaw. What went wrong, and how did you handle it?

What they are checking: Their real technical depth on exterior projects and how they respond when work does not go to plan.

Describe how you've set up a staffing model to match the capacity a group of shops really needs.

What they are checking: Whether they can use workload data to argue for staffing rather than relying on gut feel.

What would you do

A department head is upset that a lock change has been pending for two weeks. How do you handle the conversation?

What they are checking: Their client service skills and willingness to own a delay rather than blame the shop.

A worker on one of your crews skips fall protection on a roof job. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether safety is non-negotiable for them, even when it slows a job down.

How do you work around classes, research labs and residence halls when scheduling disruptive work on campus?

What they are checking: Their awareness that a university campus has occupants whose work cannot simply stop for maintenance.

About the work

How do you decide each morning which corrective work orders get done first when the list is longer than your crews?

What they are checking: Their judgment about safety, building impact and client needs when everything cannot happen at once.

How do you keep preventive maintenance from being pushed aside by emergencies?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that skipped preventive work turns into bigger emergencies later.

Your shops are union. How do you handle a performance problem with a tradesperson inside a collective bargaining agreement?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to manage fairly and correctly within contract rules and work with stewards.

Walk me through how you build and track a shop budget, including materials and tools.

What they are checking: Their financial discipline, since the role approves ordering and manages budgets for several shops.

How do you check the quality of finished work before you close out a job with the client?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real quality assurance habit instead of trusting that closed tickets mean finished work.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department OPS Facilities Building Trades and Campus Services Management About the Department Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors and visitors. Job Summary Reporting to the Director of Building Trades, this Manager is responsible for leading the 25+ personnel in the Structural Mechanic, Carpentry, Locksmith, and Decorating Shops, and providing technical expertise, budget management and quality assurance oversight to small and large-scale projects involving building envelope, sheet metal and masonry. This role includes the daily assignment of maintenance and operations tasks, material and tool ordering approval, and client interface on project scheduling and closeout of all preventive and corrective maintenance tasks assigned to the aforementioned shops. Responsibilities • Manage employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases. • Develop, execute and maintain staffing model to ensure assigned Shops are staffed to the appropriate level to meet the required capability and capacity. Hire, mentor and develop assigned staff. Responsible for managing the timecard approval process and disciplinary process in accordance with union contracts for all assigned staff. Responsible for developing and executing task specific safety plans for all assigned shop activities. • Manage and provide technical expertise regarding the design and construction of non-capital building envelope and masonry projects. These projects are triggered by a failure of the system, part of the preventative maintenance program or departmental requests. Adherence to the allocated budget is a requirement. All projects must be compliant with all related codes. Assure schedule, scope, standards, and quality meet University requirements. Accurate and timely communication between Facilities Services and the department or departments is essential. • Responsible for timely execution of feasibility studies and cost studies. Ability to prioritize based on cost, potential impact of failure, and risk of failure. Demonstrated knowledge of the impact that various types of design may have in future years on the Facilities Services Operations & Maintenance budget. Ability to differentiate the anticipated operating and maintenance costs and to distinguish between initial as well as long term costs and liabilities between different materials and procedures used on projects . This includes performing fact finding and analysis to assure sound decisions are made relative to first cost versus life cycle costs. Has the ability to differentiate between upfront as well as long term costs and liabilities between different materials as well as procedures used on projects. • Act as the university’s point of contact with local and state government agencies regarding compliance with roofing and façade code issues. Must know the University’s liabilities and the timelines to repair imminent hazards as well as preventive projects. Must present the University’s plans for compliance with accurate detail as to work to be done and timeline for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) as well as accurate costs for the University. Must communicate back to the University any changes or revisions required by the AHJ. • Conducts regular inspection tours of buildings, equipment and surrounding grounds for deficiencies, potential safety, health, or code problems and necessary repairs. Prepares written reports summarizing findings, and advises management, building users, or others, as appropriate, of findings and recommendations for dealing with problems noticed on inspection. • Conduct regular communications with internal and external customers and stakeholders ensuring understanding of the project process. Develop and maintain strong relationships within University community to meet the mission of Facilities Services. • Maintains Facilities Services philosophies by fostering a spirit of teamwork and cooperation. • Supervises employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases. • Provides training, prioritizes and schedules work assignments (daily management and long-range planning), inspects work, and provides guidance and technical assistance. Conducts inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems. • Develops and uses performance measurement tools to improve processes. Implements standard operating procedures. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s degree. Experience: • Eight years experience in design, construction and project management related duties and activities. • Experience in project management in a university setting. • Experience in managing numerous projects concurrently. • Experience, which demonstrates competency and exposure to large-scale building projects involving all building trade divisions. • Higher education or related institutional facilities experience. Certifications: • Valid driver's license. Technical Skills or Knowledge: • Computer literacy in a Windows environment. Effectively using computer technology (computerized maintenance management system, procurement authorization logs, spreadsheets, etc.). • Mastery of building systems, concrete materials and methods, metal materials and methods (specialty doors, entrances and storefronts), glazing, thermal and moisture protection (damp proofing, waterproofing, building insulation, etc) roofing materials and systems (shingles, tile, coverings, panels, membrane roofing, flashings, etc). • In-depth understanding with building processes related to roofing and masonry codes in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. • Detailed knowledge and understanding of the building process, with specific experience in roofing, sheet metal, masonry and façade categories. • Ability to evaluate appropriateness of estimates, bids, and cost proposals. • Ability to understand construction documents. • Provides training, prioritizes and schedules work assignments (daily management and long-range planning), inspects work, and provides guidance and technical assistance. Conducts inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems. • Develops and uses performance measurement tools to improve processes. Implements standard operating procedures. Preferred Competencies • Demonstrated negotiation skills. • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with tradespersons, professionals, faculty, students, staff, and administrators. • Strong customer service orientation. • Perform multiple tasks concurrently. • Perform within deadlines, reading; confidentiality; problem-solving. • Attention to detail. • Familiarity with coordinating multiple interest groups and stakeholders is important. Work within complex phasing constraints and within existing densely built mature facilities environments is a plus. • Specific knowledge of the University of Chicago is a plus. Working Conditions • Ability to physically enter construction sites (climb a ladder) and visually inspect work in progress. • Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity and be physically capable of strenuous activity over extended periods of time. • Must be able to lift and move loads appropriate to job requirements and be able to bend and work in a kneeling position for periods of time. • Must be able to climb stairs and ladders, be capable of working at heights as needed, be able to enter and work within tight spaces, and be able to withstand hot and cold temperatures. • Must be able to respond to emergency calls at any hour of the day and must be willing to work long or irregular hours when needed. Application Documents • Resume (required) • Cover Letter (required) • List of 3 References (required) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Facilities Management Role Impact People Manager Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required Yes Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $94,248.61 - $110,880.72 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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