Facilities Director

Facilities Director

Short summary

The College of Europe is seeking applications for the position of Facilities Director (100 % FTE), leading the Facilities Office at its Bruges campus. Combining strategic facilities leadership with hands-on technical expertise, the Facilities Director is responsible for the management, maintenance, renovation and long-term development of the College’s buildings and infrastructure.

About the College

The College of Europe is the oldest postgraduate institute of European studies. It brings together graduates from diverse backgrounds to study and live in an international environment across its campuses in Bruges, Natolin and Tirana.

As a centre of excellence in European studies, the College is committed to contributing to European cooperation and integration. Staff members contribute to this mission through professional dedication, a spirit of proactive collegiality and mutual respect. 

For more information about the College, please visit our website.

The College’s building portfolio on the Bruges Campus is composed of 2 administrative buildings and 8 residences, hosting around 400 students, participants and visiting professors throughout the academic year.

For more information about the College premises in Bruges, see Residences | Coleurope.

The Role

Based in Bruges, the Facilities Director will be reporting directly to the Rector. The role oversees the general services, catering, housekeeping and technical services teams, while acting as the lead expert for infrastructure projects, asset management and technical compliance.

The main tasks and responsibilities of the Facilities Director will include:

• Lead and manage the Facilities Office in Bruges, providing guidance and support to the Catering and Housekeeping Coordinators within the team;
• Develop and implement a long-term infrastructure and asset management strategy, ensuring the preservation, innovation and sustainability of the College’s building portfolio;

• Plan and coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities across the College buildings and technical installations;
• Prepare technical specifications, project plans and cost estimates for infrastructure investments and renovation projects;
• Coordinate and supervise contractors and technical suppliers, ensuring compliance with quality, budgetary and timing requirements;
• Ensure compliance with Belgian building regulations and health and safety requirements in close collaboration with the Prevention Advisor;
• Build and maintain effective relationships with service providers, public authorities and other external stakeholders;
• Prepare and support public procurement procedures in collaboration with the Legal Advisor and manage relevant contracts;
• Manage the Facilities Office budget, ensuring sound financial planning and resource allocation;
• Promote harmonised facilities standards across the Bruges campus and the Tirana branch, including regular on-site visits and remote support.

Your Profile

For the position of Facilities Director, the College is looking for a technically strong facilities professional with proven leadership experience and a hands-on approach to infrastructure and facilities management.

Candidates should bring:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial or civil engineering, construction, electromechanics, building technologies, facility management or a related technical field;

• Minimum 7 to 10 years of professional experience in facilities or property management, technical operations, construction or infrastructure development;
• Experience with public procurement is considered a strong asset;
• Strong knowledge of building systems, maintenance practices, technical infrastructure and asset management principles;
• Good understanding of Belgian building regulations, sustainability principles and compliance obligations;
• Sound financial and budget-management skills;
• Excellent command of Dutch and English; knowledge of French is an asset;
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously;
• Service-oriented, proactive and collaborative approach;
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and leadership skills.

Our offer

• A pleasant and stimulating international working environment;
• An employment contract under Belgian law of indefinite duration;
• A competitive remuneration;
• A comprehensive benefits package including legal holiday pay, end-of-year bonus, meal vouchers, transportation allowance, hospitalisation insurance, and group insurance;
• Legal holidays plus two additional public holidays (9th of May and 11th of July) and eight closing days during the winter break;
• A telework policy of up to two days per week, together with a telework allowance;
• A unique opportunity to contribute to a renowned project of European integration.

How to apply

Applications in English, comprising a detailed CV (max. 2 pages) and a motivation letter (max. 1 page) should be submitted by 31 August 2026 to the HR Office at recruitment.be@coleurope.eu, mentioning “Facilities Director” in the subject line.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Envisaged start date: as soon as available.

For further information on the position, please contact Julie Favril, HR Co-Director at recruitment.be@coleurope.eu.

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By submitting your application, you consent to have your personal data processed for the purpose of recruitment and the specific position you are applying for. You acknowledge that your data, as well as data we receive from academic institutions we can contact for verification purposes, will be processed by the College of Europe, the members of the selection committee appointed by the College of Europe related to this recruitment process. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the current data processing regulations. For more information on how we use the information you have provided and how to exercise your rights, please see our privacy notice for recruitment (https://www.coleurope.eu/privacy).

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The College of Europe is committed to equal treatment and opportunity. It aims to reflect the diversity of our society and to offer an inclusive work and study environment for all members of its community. Consistent with these goals, the Bruges campus has a zero-tolerance policy for any acts against the dignity and integrity of individuals, whether in the form of discrimination, bullying, harassment, stalking, violence, or sexual misconduct. Candidates are therefore recruited and selected on the basis of skills and experience, regardless of sex, age, ability, ethnicity, class and background, political belief, race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, culture, or any other grounds.