Executive Director of Environmental Services

The Executive Director of Environmental Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all environmental services functions across the organization. This role is responsible for ensuring a safe, clean, and healing environment for patients, staff, and visitors while maintaining compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. The Executive Director leads system-wide environmental services strategy, operational performance, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives that support patient experience, infection prevention, and overall hospital operations.
This role requires an emotionally intelligent and collaborative leader with a demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams through organizational and operational change. Success in this role requires thoughtful change management, strong communication skills, and the ability to build trust and engagement across all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate leads with empathy, fosters accountability and inclusion, and creates a culture where staff feel supported, heard, and empowered during periods of transition and continuous improvement. Working in close collaboration with clinical leaders, infection prevention, facilities management, and support service teams, this position drives standardization, operational excellence, and cost-effective service delivery across all facilities.

Department Overview

The Environmental Services Division plays a critical role in supporting the organization's mission by ensuring a clean, safe, and healing environment for patients, staff, and visitors. The division oversees a workforce of more than 550 employees responsible for maintaining environmental cleanliness, infection prevention standards, and overall facility readiness across the Sacramento campus. Operating 24/7, the department supports the Main Hospital and 54 additional non-hospital facilities, including outpatient clinics, education spaces, and research buildings.

Collectively, the team cleans and maintains more than 4 million square feet of space each day, delivering essential services that directly support patient care, staff operations, regulatory compliance, and the overall patient and employee experience. Through collaboration with clinical, operational, and facilities partners, Environmental Services helps ensure safe care environments, operational efficiency, and readiness for both routine operations and critical events.

Apply By June 18, 2026, at 11:59pm

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Services, Hospitality Management, Public Health, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive years of broad-based experience in Hospitality Services, Environmental Services, Custodial, or other relevant area, to include extensive years of experience in a departmental operations leadership capacity.
• Leadership experience directing and managing hospitality or environmental services operations, ideally for an academic medical center, integrated healthcare delivery system, or large hospital. This experience will include responsibility for leading complex organizational change, managing a large workforce, strategic planning, and implementing best practices, innovation, and technology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of healthcare regulatory, accreditation, infection prevention, and environmental standards, including requirements established by The Joint Commission, California Department of Public Health, OSHA, CMS, and other applicable regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively partner with executive leadership, physicians, clinical teams, and operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, strategic initiatives, and operational improvement efforts through collaboration, innovation, project management, and implementation of best practices and technology.
• Advanced knowledge of Support Services and/or hospitality operations, including regulatory health and safety requirements, quality improvement methodologies, process improvement strategies, and healthcare operational standards.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and collaborate across all levels of a matrixed organization.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound operational and strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement staff training, workforce development, and competency programs that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance
• Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, organizational management, budgeting, fiscal administration, human resources, and Lean principles applicable to a clinical environment.
• Executive presence and emotional intelligence with the ability to lead with empathy, professionalism, accountability, and a patient-centered focus.
• Ability to work effectively across functional and organizational boundaries to align stakeholders, integrate processes, and achieve shared goals.
• Demonstrated systems-thinking capability with the ability to align people, processes, technology, and operations to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively partner with executive leadership, physicians, clinical teams, and operational stakeholders.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills, with demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to lead with empathy, accountability, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• CHESP - Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional Certification.
• Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, or a related field.
• Progressive leadership experience in Environmental Services, Support Services, Facilities Operations, Hospitality, or related operational areas within a complex healthcare or hospital environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading Support Services operations in an acute care hospital, academic medical center, or integrated healthcare system.
• Proven experience managing large, diverse workforces in a unionized and/or multi-site healthcare environment.
• Experience leading organizational change, operational improvement initiatives, and large-scale projects in a healthcare environment.
• Experience within an academic medical center or large integrated health system.
• Experience supporting sustainability, environmental stewardship, waste reduction, or operational resilience initiatives within healthcare operations.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Strategic Leadership & Organization Alignment
• 40% - Environmental Services Operations
• 20% - Management & Organizational Development

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $111400.00 - $229800.00
• Salary Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Grade: Grade 26
• UC Job Title: CUSTODIAL HC MGR 3
• UC Job Code: 005578
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): n/a
• Location: Main Hospital (HSP001)
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
• This position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy, and employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures and training requirements

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks