Director of Buildings and Facilities

Description The Director of Buildings and Facilities is responsible for the safety, operations, security, maintenance, and ongoing capital improvements for all the Museum’s campus within the South Street Seaport Historic District. The campus includes buildings within the Schermerhorn Row Block on Fulton/John Street and the “Museum Block” on Water Street, the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, as well as Pier 16 on the East River. Responsibilities include daily operations, maintenance, and security for Museum functions within these spaces, including public galleries and private event rentals in the Thompson Warehouse; the Bowne & Co., Stationers storefront and printing shop; the Museum’s offices? ces, galleries, and collections storage areas within the Schermerhorn Row Block, and several small structures located on Pier 16. Requirements Essential Duties and Responsibilities Supervise and direct building care, maintenance, repairs, housekeeping, and IT for current Museum holdings. Work with multiple Museum departments to coordinate, manage, and support any external service providers supporting Museum programs, events, and other activities. Manage the Buildings and Facilities Manager, Lead Porter, Porter, Interim Director of IT, and IT staff, including scheduling, conducting regular performance evaluations, assigning duties, and fostering teamwork and collaboration. Schedule and supervise outside contractors and service providers, as required. Develop and maintain excellent relationships with key Museum partners, including neighboring developer and on-pier concessionaires/sublicensees, neighbors, and New York City’s lease administrator (New York City Economic Development Corporation/NYCEDC) in support of facilities care and operations. Serve as the first point of contact and response for emergencies within the Museum’s buildings and facilities, including security, property damage, leaks/?oods, etc. Lead an interdepartmental working group on ongoing emergency preparedness and train staff. Regularly review and update the Museum’s Emergency Action Plan. Monitor and advise senior leadership on any new regulatory, safety, technology, or IT-related challenges, changes, or opportunities. Maintain oversight of Museum security, working with security contractors, the neighboring security team (Pier 17/Seaport Entertainment Group), the Museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions, and other Museum staff. Identify security initiatives and regularly update security guidelines and procedures to ensure safety and security for staff, buildings, galleries, the pier, and collections. Prepare facilities and IT budgets and monitor their expenses, working within budget constraints and unexpected occurrences. Ensure compliance with New York City codes, regulations, and laws, and work to find solutions. Develop and maintain a long‑term plan for regulatory, safety, and IT compliance. Manage long‑term capital projects in consultation with Museum staff, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure fulfillment of Museum goals and priorities. Working in close collaboration with the Museum’s capital projects consultant/s, plan and direct construction activities from pre‑construction through close‑out, including oversight of design, permit filings, agency approvals and inspections, punch list completion, and achieving legal occupancy in accordance with the Museum's procurement policy. In collaboration with the capital projects consultant, oversee the preparation and review of RFPs and contracts related to capital improvements. Supervise, inspect, and approve contractor work; monitor project progress, and report at completion. Plan, organize, and track capital budget and funding from project inception through completion. Provide reporting and capital planning input to senior leadership. Plan and direct smaller institutional capital expense projects as needed. Develop cost estimates and cost alternatives for proposed facility modifications. Other duties as assigned. Requirements and qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field or demonstrated equivalent experience in building operations and management. Minimum 5 years of experience in building and facilities management, ideally in a setting that includes one or more of the following: campus‑like setting with multiple locations; historic buildings in NYC that are subject to Landmarks protection and the challenges of older buildings; museum operations including exhibitions and programming (both adult and school‑age) and/or equivalent experience is required. Demonstrated experience in construction project development, design, and management, including experience working with cultural institutions, city, state, and federal agencies, historic preservation, and LEED. Excellent understanding and knowledge of trades/systems including HVAC, electric, plumbing, painting, and carpentry, with the knowledge and ability to assess, troubleshoot and identify solutions. Familiar with HVAC‑BMS and Building Management Software. Ability to read schematic designs, blueprints, and other project documents. Familiarity with current New York City/State codes and safety regulations. Familiarity with facilities‑related concerns of museums, libraries, and/or archives operations. ? Experience in budget development and management, purchasing, and procurement. Excellent analytical and critical‑thinking skills and the ability to solve problems. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent organizational, time management, project management, and interpersonal skills. Previous hands‑on experience in plumbing, carpentry, and/or electrical work, a plus. Ability to solve problems creatively and formulate/implement process improvements. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, changing environment, exercising independent judgment to plan and prioritize a diverse workload. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google platforms. CAD experience and related IT skills are a plus. Ability to work a varied schedule at the museum, off‑site meetings at City agencies, and consultants’ offices, as needed. Must be available 24/7 to respond to special circumstances such as after‑hours construction, utility and system shutdowns, and emergency conditions. Required licenses and certifications by NYC/FDNY Codes, including First Aid/AED. Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Applicants must be able to: Work in varying conditions, including heat, cold, and inclement weather, with possible responsibilities for snow removal. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and handle physical tasks as needed. Ability to climb up and down stairs frequently as part of routine building checks and emergency responses. Compensation and Benefits The Director of Buildings and Facilities position is full‑time, on‑site, with PTO, Medical/Dental/Vision benefits, an employee‑funded 403 (b) retirement plan, and other benefits. The work schedule is Monday through Friday with evening and weekend work dependent on operational needs. The salary range is $75,000 to 80,000, but compensation will be commensurate with experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr South Street Seaport Museum