Director, Overseas Building Operations

The director of Overseas Building Operations was responsible for a budget of approximately $1.9 billion and 1,022 positions in fiscal 2024.¹ OBO manages a portfolio of over 25,200 assets valued at over $90 billion² at 291 locations worldwide and is currently executing over $20 billion of ongoing construction.³

• Assists the secretary of state and the undersecretary for management in formulating policy on the worldwide buildings program abroad for the Department of State and the U.S. government community serving abroad under the authority of the chiefs of mission.
• Formulates and directs the implementation of buildings policies abroad to provide safe, secure, functional and resilient facilities for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy and the promotion of U.S. interests worldwide.
• Advises the secretary and the undersecretary for management on buildings operations matters abroad and supervises the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations.
• Ensures that facilities abroad are maintained in accordance with generally accepted standards for U.S. government asset management.
• Develops and defends buildings abroad appropriations and authorization requests in the department and before the Office of Management and Budget and congressional committees.
• Decides on the worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, utilization and sale of real properties and the use of sales proceeds.
• Serves as chair of the following bodies:
  • the Industry Advisory Group
  • the Washington Interagency Housing Board
  • the Interagency Facilities Council
• Provides direction and guidance on building matters abroad to regional bureaus and other agencies.⁴

Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.