Jayme Nance began working in training and management early in her career, taking on roles that involved staff development, operational support, and preparing new teams for success. These early experiences gave her a strong foundation in leadership and training that would later serve her well at SSC.

Jayme joined SSC in 2016 at a higher education institution in Tennessee, beginning as a custodian in residential life. Within 90 days, she was promoted to lead, and just a few months later, to hourly supervisor. Her potential was quickly recognized, leading to her nomination to the Compass Group Manager in Training (MIT) Program.

The MIT program was a transformative experience, combining interviews, critical thinking assessments, mentorship, and a weeklong immersion at Compass Group’s headquarters in Charlotte. Jayme trained alongside leaders from across the organization, gaining exposure to high-level strategy, impromptu presentations, and brand-building.

Expanding Into K–12

After completing the MIT program, Jayme shifted from higher education to K–12 facilities. Over the past eight years, she has had the opportunity to lead partnerships of all size – from a small account with five buildings, to one of SSC’s largest K-12 partnerships. She credits each of these opportunities with teaching her unique things about facilities management and managing people.

Through her work, Jayme has grown from a hands-on manager into a leader of leaders. She emphasizes collaboration, networking, and the value of seeking out different perspectives. Her ability to guide other managers, foster team growth, and adapt to the evolving demands of facilities operations has defined her leadership journey.

Points of Pride: Supporting Her Team

When Jayme looks back on her career so far, the greatest achievements in her career are not measured by personal milestones, but by the success of her team. She takes the most pride in moments when she can celebrate others – whether it’s honoring a dedicated frontline associate with a GEM of the Year award or helping secure a district-wide contract amendment that raised custodial wages after years of effort and advocacy. For Jayme, true fulfillment comes from lifting others up and creating opportunities for them to thrive.

Jayme’s career has been greatly impacted by mentorship, networking and learning new perspectives. Her advice for others looking to succeed in education facilities management is simple: Stay open to change, build a strong professional network, and be willing to work alongside your teams – you can’t lead others to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.