Agenus is seeking a hands-on, experienced Facilities Manager to oversee facilities management, laboratory operations, and the metrology and calibration program for our Massachusetts site, and facilities support for our New York office. The Facilities Manager supervises Facilities personnel, serves as the expert administrator of our Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager (RAM) system, and manages the external company that provides our Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) services. This individual will play a critical role in maintaining a safe, compliant, and efficient workplace while supporting the day-to-day needs of our laboratory and onsite teams. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in facilities operations, laboratory operations, and calibration and maintenance programs within a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or laboratory environment, with working knowledge of GxP quality systems. This role requires someone who is comfortable managing building systems, staff, and external vendors; keeping GxP equipment records inspection-ready; holding an outsourced EHS provider accountable; and independently resolving day-to-day operational challenges. Success in this position requires a proactive, resourceful, and service-oriented individual who can balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. This role is requited to be onsite, with periodic travel to our New York, NY office. Facilities Management & Site Operations
- Oversee day-to-day facilities operations at the Massachusetts site, ensuring a safe, functional, and well-maintained environment for employees and laboratory operations.
- Oversee facilities support for the New York office, including coordination with the landlord and building management, service providers, and repairs.
- Supervise, train, and direct Facilities personnel, including setting priorities, assigning and reviewing work, and managing performance.
- Manage preventive maintenance, repairs, and ongoing upkeep of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, emergency power, and other critical infrastructure.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for facilities-related issues, coordinating timely resolution with internal stakeholders, property management, and external service providers.
- Manage relationships with facilities vendors, contractors, and service providers, including scheduling, performance oversight, and contract management.
- Coordinate building maintenance, inspections, repairs, and facility improvements while minimizing disruption to laboratory and business operations.
- Oversee facility-related services, including janitorial, pest control, security, access control, and other building services.
- Support space planning, office and laboratory moves, renovations, decommissioning, and facility modifications as business needs evolve, including the planned 2027 site relocation.
- Maintain facilities-related records, preventive maintenance schedules, inspection documentation, and service agreements.
- Monitor facilities-related expenses, prepare purchase requisitions and contract requests, assist with budget planning, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and manage costs.
- Partner with laboratory personnel, IT, HR, Quality, and other departments to support facility needs, employee access, and onsite operations.
- Coordinate building emergency preparedness, evacuation procedures, and facility response activities.
- Ensure facility operations comply with applicable building, fire, environmental, and workplace safety requirements.
Metrology, Calibration & Asset Management (Blue Mountain RAM)
- Serve as the expert system administrator for Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager (RAM), the system of record for calibration, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance of company facilities, utilities, and equipment, including user access, master data, and system configuration.
- Own the metrology and calibration program for GxP and non-GxP equipment: schedule, perform or arrange, review, and close calibration, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance events in RAM within required timelines.
- Maintain master instrument data in RAM, including criticality, tolerances, calibration and preventive maintenance frequencies, and equipment status (active, inactive, decommissioned).
- Initiate nonconformance reports for out-of-tolerance results, support product impact assessments, and participate in deviation investigations, CAPAs, and change control with Quality Assurance.
- Manage calibration and maintenance service vendors, including qualification with Quality Assurance, scheduling, and review of service reports and calibration certificates.
- Manage equipment out-of-service and return-to-service records, new asset setup, and capital asset disposal documentation.
- Report calibration and maintenance status, past-due items, and program metrics to management and Quality Assurance.
- Follow cGMP documentation practices, keep equipment records inspection-ready, and support internal and external audits and inspections.
Laboratory Operations
- Maintain laboratory equipment performance by establishing quality standards; developing operations, quality, and troubleshooting procedures; ensuring staff compliance; certifying instrument performance; and arranging equipment replacement, service, and repair.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, and servicing of laboratory equipment through RAM to minimize downtime and ensure operational readiness.
- Manage onsite visits from vendors as required.
- Work with research personnel on purchases of new equipment, calibration, cleaning/decontamination as required, and disposal of outdated and non-functioning equipment.
- Partner with scientific teams to identify laboratory infrastructure needs and support equipment installations, relocations, and decommissioning.
- Coordinate with facilities vendors to ensure laboratory utilities and critical equipment support systems remain operational.
- Maintain laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders; verifying receipt of supplies; and distributing supplies to laboratory areas.
- Oversee, coordinate, and track hazardous chemical waste, biological waste, glass waste, plastic waste, and solid laboratory waste with the EHS provider and waste vendors, ensuring the safe removal of all laboratory waste.
- Manage chemical inventory databases and safety data sheets.
- Ensure and promote Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and safety, including participation in safety committee meetings.
- Create and maintain applicable laboratory and safety documentation, policies, and procedures, and perform audits as necessary.
- Develop effective relationships with scientific and operations staff to understand laboratory needs.
EHS Program Oversight (Outsourced EHS Provider)
- Manage the external company contracted to provide EHS services, including its scope of work, contract, budget, deliverables, schedule, and performance.
- Hold the EHS provider accountable for the company’s EHS program, including compliance with OSHA, MA DEP, MWRA, and other applicable regulations; required permits and licenses; the OSHA 300 log; the hazardous waste, wastewater, and ergonomics programs; and EHS policies such as Hazard Communication, Biosafety/Bloodborne Pathogens, Radiation Safety, and the Emergency Response Plan.
- Serve as the company’s internal point of contact for EHS, coordinating the provider’s site visits, inspections, and training (including new-hire and laboratory-specific training) and tracking completion.
- Coordinate the General Safety Committee and Laboratory Safety Committee with the EHS provider.
- Coordinate regulatory inspections and audits with the EHS provider, including preparation, documentation, and follow-up activities.
- Ensure incidents are reported and investigated with the EHS provider and that corrective and preventive actions are implemented and closed.
- Maintain EHS compliance records and track permit and license renewals, required training, inspections, and regulatory reporting deadlines, escalating risks to management.
- Support emergency preparedness, incident response, and business continuity planning for the site.
Required Qualifications
- 5–7+ years of professional experience in facilities management, laboratory operations, metrology/calibration, or a combination of these functions within a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or research environment.
- BS/BA in Engineering, Facilities Management, Life or Physical Sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Expert knowledge of Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager (RAM), including system administration, master data management, and calibration and maintenance workflows.
- Working knowledge of GxP quality systems as they apply to equipment, utilities, and facilities, including cGMP documentation practices, calibration and preventive maintenance programs, nonconformances and deviations, CAPA, and change control.
- Experience supervising staff and managing vendors, contractors, and service agreements.
- Experience coordinating building maintenance, facility services, and critical building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and laboratory utilities.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety requirements, hazardous waste management, and state and federal health and safety regulations sufficient to oversee an outsourced EHS provider.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to independently manage multiple operational priorities, troubleshoot issues, and implement practical solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work onsite at the Massachusetts site and travel periodically to the New York office.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with laboratory relocations, equipment decommissioning, or laboratory build-outs.
- Familiarity with laboratory HVAC, ventilation, emergency power, and other critical building infrastructure.
- Experience with building management, access control, and environmental monitoring systems (e.g., Johnson Controls Metasys and C•CURE).
- Experience managing facilities budgets, vendor contracts, and preventive maintenance programs.
- Experience managing an outsourced EHS provider or EHS consultants.
- Experience with Oracle or a similar ERP purchasing system.
- Relevant certifications, such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facility Management Professional (FMP), or ASQ Certified Calibration Technician (CCT).
Location: Lexington, MA (relocating within the Greater Boston area in 2027) Onsite, with periodic travel to our New York, NY office Reports to: Director, Operations, Office of the CEO The targeted salary range for this position is $95,000 - $129,000 per year. Agenus is making a good faith effort to be transparent and accurate around our hiring ranges. The salary offered is commensurate with Agenus’s compensation philosophy and considers factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, external market conditions, critical needs of the role, and internal equity.
