Director of Facilities and Grounds

Position Summary :

The Director of Facilities and Grounds (“Director of Facilities”) is responsible for overseeing effective operating procedures across the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust buildings and grounds. The position will lead and manage all facility-related activities (including buildings and grounds maintenance, housekeeping, engineering, and code compliance) across much of the Trust’s unique real estate portfolio, which includes major performing arts venues, galleries and arts spaces, office and administrative buildings, and dormant properties.

The Director of Facilities also manages and directs the performance of a team of 10+ engineers under the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 95, as well as interfacing with third-party property management firms and engineering services. This position may serve as a Project Manager or Owner’s Representative on certain limited capital projects, as needed, including for construction, renovation, and maintenance.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required :

Education : Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or related field, or comparable experience.

Work Experience : 10 years of comprehensive work experience in a comparable position, ideally with historic building complexes. Three to five years’ experience managing large complex building systems. Three to five years’ facilities management experience, including a demonstrated history of supervising engineering teams responsible for building systems, and maintenance operations.

Supervisory Experience : Experience supervising union and non-union engineering and housekeeping teams, including assigning work, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, workplace policies, and safety standards. Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams across multiple shifts while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high-quality service delivery in theater and non-theater environments.

Technical Skills : Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required. Knowledge of computerized building maintenance, HVAC monitoring computer systems, facility management software, and reading blueprints. Knowledge of MEP Systems design and specification. Strong knowledge of OSHA requirements, industry standard safety requirements, and local, City, and County ordinances, codes, and permitting requirements.

Intangibles : Outstanding communication skills and attention to detail. Resolute yet diplomatic, leading by influence. Firm yet respectful of other’s concerns. Flexible and creative in finding alternative solutions to challenges. Capacity to be creative, take initiative, and exhibit resilience. Committed to the arts and arts education. Ability to be appreciative of diverse perspectives, and a commitment to the organization’s initiatives regarding diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI).

Essential Functions :
Main Job Responsibilities:

Facility Operations:

• Direct, supervise, and oversee scheduling and budgeting for all aspects of facilities, equipment, and grounds operations, including maintenance, landscaping, waste removal and recycling, snow removal, and custodial services (including ongoing cleaning, event cleaning, and portering services).
• Work closely with the Vice President of Venue Operations to ensure reliable, safe, and consistent operation of performing art venues.
• Direct and oversee performance of the Trust’s full-time engineering staff and contracted third party engineers.
• Work closely with the Trust’s security team to prioritize a safe, secure, and welcoming campus.
• Work closely with the Trust’s Director of Public Spaces to support operations at Arts Landing and other Trust-owned public spaces.
• Direct and oversee performance of the Trust’s contracted third-party housekeeping staff.
• Act as liaison to public utility, environmental, and energy agencies. Assist VP of Venue Operations in implementation of energy saving guidelines.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Construction and Capital Projects:

• Work in collaboration with the Trust’s Director of Capital Projects to facilitate specific construction and repair projects.
• Serve as owner’s representative for select smaller capital projects.
• Plan and direct outside vendors/contractors work to assure compliance with contracts and safety requirements.
• Provide management support to building capital projects and collaborate in the planning, forecasting, and execution of building capital projects.

Risk Management:

• Lead the Safety Committee, using Fire/Life Safety, Emergency, and OSHA regulations as the fundamental guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with relevant federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.
• Review, adjust, and implement security protocols, emergency procedures, and safety and risk management policies, in collaboration with other Trust leaders.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee implementation of preventative maintenance schedules and measures.
• Lead and maintain asbestos management as the facilities’ designated manager, per EPA guidelines.

Systems and Document Management:

• Source, implement, and manage a computer maintenance management system (CMMS) for facility projects workflow.
• Assist to maintain a rolling capital improvement and deferred maintenance plan.
• Maintain contractor, vendor, and service provider contract documents.
• Develop and manage a vendor diversity program.
• Provide project scheduling where needed.

Supervisory responsibility : This position directly supervises the Facilities Finance Manager and the Trust’s full-time engineering staff. The Director also supervises the activities of third-party contractors as appropriate.

Decision-making responsibility : This position exercises significant discretion with respect to day-to-day building maintenance and management decisions.

Budgetary responsibility : The Director is responsible for managing regular maintenance budgets across several Trust properties in addition to project-based budgets for discrete property improvement or repair projects.

Strategic responsibility : The Director collaborates with the Trust’s real estate team to establish strategy for long-term maintenance and improvement plans.

Reporting requirements : This position helps provide data to support reporting to the Trust Board and funders for capital project expenditures.

Travel requirements : Limited travel (less than 5%) is required for this position.

Physical demands : This position involves mainly office work – occasional lifting up to 20-30 lbs. may be required. The individual should be able to sit and/or view a computer screen for extended periods of time. However, the Director should also be able to walk/stand for significant periods of time and stoop, kneel, climb, or crouch as part of building maintenance/repair oversight.

Salary Range: starting at $90,000

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, or disability status. 

Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.