The Role
Leads physical operations for a historic museum campus, overseeing maintenance, housekeeping, grounds and horticulture. Responsibilities include departmental leadership, budgeting, capital projects, construction, vendor and contractor management, historic building preservation, preventive maintenance, HVAC and environmental controls, housekeeping standards, landscape planning, safety, accessibility, and long-range facility strategies.
Summary Generated by Built In
Director of Operations
The Director of Operations is a member of the Senior Management Team responsible for the overall strategic direction, performance, and coordination of The Frick Pittsburgh’s physical operations. The Director provides leadership and oversight for Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Grounds & Horticulture.
The Director is responsible for establishing department priorities, standards, budgets, long-range plans, performance expectations, capital priorities, and operational policies. The Director ensures that the three departments work together effectively to maintain a safe, clean, functional, well-presented campus that supports The Frick Pittsburgh’s mission, visitors, collections, exhibitions, programs, events, and staff.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., occasional evening and weekend work
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, exempt with benefits.
Salary: $95,000 - $113,000 annually, based on experience
Departmental Leadership & Direct Supervision; (20%)
- Serve as part of the senior leadership team responsible for the general management of the Frick.
- Supervise Facility Manager, Housekeeping Manager, and Grounds & Horticulture Manager.
- Establish clear expectations, annual goals, performance standards, and accountability measures for each department manager.
- Collaborate with department managers to ensure each operations staff has annual goals that are in line with the Strategic and Business Sustainability Plans.
- Ensure appropriate staffing, equipment, resources, procedures, and training to fulfill each department’s responsibilities.
- Resolve issues that cross departmental boundaries and develop a culture of communication, accountability, professionalism, teamwork, safety, and service excellence across all three departments.
Budget & Financial Management (10%)
- In connection with each department manager, develop and manage the overall Operations budget for Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Grounds & Horticulture.
- Review and approve departmental expenditures, forecasts, contracts, and capital requests.
- Establish financial priorities and allocate resources among departments based on organizational needs.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and maximize the value of facility investments.
- Present significant budget requests and capital priorities to Executive Director and Director of Finance
Capital Projects & Construction (20%)
- Assist executive leadership with long-range strategic planning, capital planning, and prioritization.
- Oversee capital projects and major construction initiatives.
- Establish project priorities, scope, budgets, schedules, and desired outcomes in collaboration with leadership and appropriate managers.
- Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders on significant projects.
- Monitor project progress, budget, quality, safety, and schedule through the responsible project or facility management personnel.
- Ensure completed projects are appropriately documented and incorporated into ongoing operational and maintenance archives and plans.
- Manage and negotiate all capital project contracts.
- Work to keep and maintain a prioritized 5-10 year capital plan. Secure the best possible bid numbers from qualified contractors. Communicate this information regularly with the Executive Director and Director of Finance for implementation.
- Keep detailed records of all operational and capital budgets.
- Provide overall oversight of major facility-related vendors and contractors.
- Establish expectations for vendor performance, safety, insurance, communication, and service quality.
Strategic Facility Operations Oversight for Historic Buildings & Preservation (20%)
- Collaborate with the Curatorial department on care of historic buildings and collection spaces.
- Ensure safety, functionality, and accessibility of the campus’ historic buildings
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy and priorities for the long-term operation, preservation, and improvement of The Frick Pittsburgh campus.
- Help establish long-range plans for building renewal, infrastructure replacement, accessibility, and facility modernization.
- Balance preservation requirements with building codes, safety, sustainability, operational needs, and visitor expectations.
Maintenance Oversight (10%)
- Review facility maintenance programs and ensure appropriate preventive and predictive maintenance strategies are established.
- Monitor, record, and adjust all HVAC systems according to building and collection needs; ensure proper and timely communication to necessary staff liaisons.
- Set priorities for major repairs, deferred maintenance, infrastructure renewal, and facility improvements.
- Monitor the condition and reliability of major building systems and receive regular reports from the Facility Manager.
- Review and approve appropriate maintenance standards, service contracts, and major facility expenditures.
- Ensure accurate facility records, asset information, warranties, inspections, certifications, compliance, and maintenance documentation.
Housekeeping Oversight (10%)
- Establish organization-wide standards for cleanliness, sanitation, appearance, and presentation.
- Review housekeeping staffing, schedules, service and support levels, quality-control results, supplies, equipment, and departmental performance appropriate for historic buildings and public spaces.
Grounds & Horticulture Oversight (10%)
- Establish standards and direction on grounds related projects for the appearance, care, safety, and presentation of the campus grounds and landscape.
- Review grounds and horticulture staffing, seasonal plans, maintenance schedules, equipment, projects, and departmental performance.
- Ensure grounds operations appropriately support the historic character and presentation of the campus.
- Review major landscape projects, tree and plant management issues, irrigation, drainage, snow and ice planning, exterior infrastructure, and other significant site needs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Committed to fostering a workplace culture of accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and racial equality.
- Collaborative mindset and skills.
- Strong and clear communicator.
- 5 years of Facilities/Operations supervisory/management experience.
- Experience operating in a museum, commercial or institutional facility with inclusive building and grounds construction and renovation is preferred but not required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in related technical field required or an additional 2 years’ experience.
- Demonstrated computer and technology skills in Microsoft software.
- History of working with environmental controls and landscape maintenance is strongly preferred.
- Some knowledge of cleaning, maintenance safety, and security procedures, with interest in sustainable practices and initiatives.
- Experience managing a union workforce preferred.
- Project management training or experience.
- Valid PA driver’s license.
- Ability to pass a background check.
The Frick Pittsburgh is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to fostering a
workplace culture of accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and racial equality and urges all diverse candidates to apply.
Skills Required
- Five years of facilities or operations supervisory/management experience
- Bachelor's degree in a related technical field or an additional two years of experience
- Computer and technology skills in Microsoft software
- Valid Pennsylvania driver's license
- Ability to pass a background check
- Collaborative mindset and strong communication skills
- Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and racial equality
- Experience in a museum, commercial, or institutional facility with building and grounds construction and renovation
- Experience with environmental controls and landscape maintenance
- Knowledge of cleaning, maintenance safety, and security procedures
- Interest in sustainable practices and initiatives
- Experience managing a union workforce
- Project management training or experience
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The Company
What We Do
The Frick Pittsburgh is a complex of museums and historical buildings located on an estate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formed around the collections of Helen Clay Frick. It features museums, historical buildings, gardens, and offers tours and exhibitions related to art and history.
