Job Description

Building Systems Manager

Summary:

* This is an on-site position located in Rockford, IL *

First Midwest Group is seeking a Building Systems Manager with strong management and technical skills to oversee a wide range of technology systems across our diverse real-estate portfolio. This position will be involved in project management, hands-on installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting technology within our facilities. This includes but is not limited to video surveillance, access control, building alarms, building control, low-voltage cabling, and basic networking and telephony. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with strong technical and leadership abilities, capable of managing both in-house technicians and contractors, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management & Supervision
• Lead and supervise the installation of video surveillance, access control, alarm, building control, low-voltage cabling, digital signage, and other technology solutions from inception to completion.
• Ensure systems are architected and installed to meet regulatory, industry, and internal standards.
• Establish internal standards and practices in coordination with our property management, IT, and legal departments.
• Develop and manage project schedules, providing regular updates to stakeholders.
• Conduct site surveys, including measuring for cable runs and creating detailed maps for hardware placement.
• Research, price, and procure necessary materials and equipment for in-house work.
• Source bids and negotiate with contractors.
• Manage hours and work order systems for employees and contractors.
• Oversee project budgets, ensuring expenses are meticulously tracked and accounted for with receipts.
• Conduct weekly project meetings and provide daily updates on system status and maintenance requirements.

Installation, Configuration & Maintenance :

• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot
• Access control systems: including user management for gates and facilities (e.g., Spider door keypads and portals).
• Video surveillance: including managing footage retrieval, systems access, and monitoring for faults.
• Low voltage cabling and network installation, to support these and other systems according to standards by and in coordination with IT. This includes work with fiber optics (excluding termination) and PtP/PtMP radios.
• Telephony devices, in coordination with IT and/or a telephony contractor. This includes elevator emergency phone systems and occasional interaction with POTS phones.
• Digital signage in coordination with marketing. This includes managing outdoor LED signage (primarily maintained by contractors).

Systems and Service Management:

• Ensure systems are regularly updated..
• Proactively identify and upgrade end-of-life equipment and systems.
• Manage a well-organized inventory of parts and supplies for service activities
• Identify and mitigate repeat problems to improve reliability and reduce maintenance burden.
• Identify knowledge gaps and provide and/or coordinate training.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Proven experience in a technical project management role, overseeing installations of security, alarm, IT, AV, or other low-voltage systems.

Extensive hands-on experience with installation, configuration, and maintenance of:

• Video surveillance systems (NVRs, IP cameras).
• Access control systems (keypads, card readers, electronic locks).
• Networking equipment (routers, switches, LTE antennas, point-to-point devices).
• PBX phone systems (VoIP and/or traditional).
• Low-voltage cabling, including structured cabling practices and fiber optics (excluding termination).
• Understanding of network protocols, data transfer, and remote access technologies.
• Experience with system diagnostics, firmware updates, and preventative maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead a technical team, including contractors.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proficient in work order management, scheduling, and basic accounting/expense tracking.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train non-technical users.
• Familiarity with site survey techniques and creating layout diagrams.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to travel to various sites in and around the Rockford, IL area.
• Must reside within a communicable distance of Rockford, IL

Description of our Environment

The First Midwest Group comprises of a family of companies which has diverse facilities and assets such as independent living (Siena), hotels (Radisson and Candlewood), residential rentals, gaming (Lucky Street Gaming), self-storage (Boxed Up), and commercial real-estate (retail, office, and industrial). This position will primarily be working with our properties (commercial and multi-story residential) and self-storage.

We have hundreds properties, a good proportion of which have video surveillance systems. We currently have around a dozen properties with access control systems and are looking to expand that to all buildings with common entrances. We also have a few properties with HVAC systems that are complex enough to qualify as building controls systems. Most of our commercial properties have environmental monitoring and we are installing networked controls for outdoor lighting. Of course, all our commercial buildings have fire alarm systems as well. You will be responsible for managing these and other similar systems directly and indirectly (through contractors) as indicated in the “Key Responsibilities” section.

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