Available Positions
Operations Manager
Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington (UUCL)
30 hours/week · $25/hour · Exempt · Lexington, Kentucky · On-site
Who We Are
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington is a welcoming and progressive congregation of 275 members and hundreds of supporters committed to spiritual growth, social justice, and beloved community. Our seven-acre campus in Lexington, Kentucky includes two historically designated buildings that support worship, education, fellowship, and outreach. We seek an Operations Manager who will be a reliable, community-minded steward of these spaces and the people who use them.
Position Overview
The Operations Manager is UUCL’s primary on-site point person for facilities, grounds, and day-to-day operational systems. Reporting to the Lead Minister, this 3/4-time role centers on hands-on building management, vendor and contractor coordination, event and rental support, and care of two historically designated structures. The Operations Manager works collaboratively with the minister, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers to ensure our spaces support the congregation.
This role is primarily operational and relational. The right candidate is a self-starter, communicates proactively, and brings steady judgment to vendor relationships and maintenance decisions. Board-level strategic planning is a participatory aspect of the role rather than a primary responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Facilities and Grounds
• Monitor and maintain inventory of custodial and building supplies; track movable assets (tables, chairs, AV equipment) and recommend replacements or storage improvements as needed.
• Oversee grounds care, trash and recycling pickup, snow removal, landscaping,
• Serve as the first point of contact for building-related issues, repairs, safety concerns, and emergencies with prompt response.
• Perform routine light maintenance tasks independently; assess issues and engage outside vendors or contractors when work exceeds in-house capacity.
• Coordinate regular and ad hoc maintenance and repair appointments; manage vendor access and notify staff of disruptions.
• Consolidate and maintain a master maintenance calendar and vendor log, building on existing records, for recurring services (HVAC, fire/safety inspections, pest control, etc.).
and exterior upkeep across the seven-acre campus.
• Monitor building security systems and camera feeds; report incidents to leadership and law enforcement as required.
• Ensure adherence to applicable safety codes, accessibility standards, and compliance requirements.
Vendor and Contractor Management
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with preferred vendors, including HVAC, fire/safety, pest control, and locksmiths. Evaluate work quality and recommend changes as needed.
• Obtain competitive quotes for repairs and capital improvements; coordinate work within board-approved parameters.
• Oversee technology systems (phone, network, AV equipment) in coordination with vendors, staff, and volunteers.
Events, Rentals, and Volunteer Coordination
• Support outside rentals: conduct facility tours, coordinate access and logistics, and serve as sexton or arrange sexton coverage for events as needed. Rental-related evening and weekend availability is typically 2–4 times per month.
• Coordinate with custodial staff and volunteers to ensure event setup, teardown, and cleanliness.
• Nurture and gradually formalize UUCL’s existing informal volunteer facilities team; coordinate volunteers for grounds, events, and light maintenance tasks; work with our dedicated grounds team.
Budget Coordination
• Provide operational input and cost projections to the Treasurer and Minister during the annual budgeting process.
• Monitor spending within approved facilities and operations budgets; ensure invoices and service agreements are processed accurately.
• Provide billing documentation for rentals, sexton services, and maintenance costs to the bookkeeper as requested.
• Help ministry teams and lay leaders understand budget allocations for routine operational needs.
Operational Planning — Participatory Role
• Participate in staff meetings and contribute an operational perspective to planning conversations.
• Serve as a resource to church committees on facilities questions and help communicate operational policies consistently.
• Contribute to long-range facility planning conversations with the Board as invited, particularly regarding maintenance priorities and historic preservation.
• Build positive relationships across the congregation to foster a culture of transparency, teamwork, and respect.
What Success Looks Like in Year One
• A consolidated, reliable master maintenance calendar and vendor contact list is in place, building on existing records.
• Vendor relationships are established or refreshed, with particular attention to contractors experienced with historically designated buildings.
• A basic deferred maintenance inventory of both historic structures has been completed and shared with leadership.
• The informal volunteer facilities team has a clearer structure and feels supported and appreciated.
• Staff, renters, and congregation members consistently experience the campus as well-maintained, welcoming, and responsive.
Qualifications
Required
• 3–5 years of experience in facilities management, property management, church/nonprofit operations, or a closely related field.
• Practical basic maintenance skills (plumbing, carpentry, electrical, general repairs) with the ability to perform routine tasks independently.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating vendors, scheduling recurring maintenance, and managing service agreements.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to maintain logs, calendars, and records with attention to detail.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills; comfort working with staff, board members, volunteers, vendors, and renters.
• Basic proficiency with email and calendar software; willingness to learn property management tools.
• Ability to lift and move heavier items (tables, chairs, equipment), climb ladders, and perform physical tasks indoors and outdoors.
Preferred
• Experience working or volunteering in a religious or nonprofit setting.
• Familiarity with the care and maintenance of historic or older structures, including working with preservation-sensitive materials and contractors.
• Knowledge of ADA, fire, and building code compliance standards.
• Alignment with Unitarian Universalist values and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and community.
Compensation and Work Arrangements
Status: Part-time (30 hrs/week), exempt
Compensation: $25/hour (~$39,000 annualized)
Benefits: Retirement contributions after 9 months of employment; $300/mo healthcare stipend.
Schedule: Primarily weekday hours; evening/weekend availability for rentals and events typically 2–4 times per month, with occasional emergency response, and availability by phone.
Location: On-site at UUCL, Lexington, Kentucky.
Other: Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; background check required. A work phone will be provided.
Reporting
Reports to the Lead Minister, with regular communication to the Board on operational and facilities matters.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing relevant experience and your interest in this role to the Rev. Dr. Brian Chenowith.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
UUCL is an equal opportunity employer and warmly welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to building a team that reflects the breadth and values of our community.