Construction Superintendent

Job Description

Job Description

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. 

Working under the general supervision of the Facilities Project Manager, the Construction Superintendent is responsible for planning, scheduling, and directing a team of skilled carpenters in the maintenance and renovations of museum buildings. The Construction Superintendent ensures that all carpentry projects meet proposed specifications/designs set forth from the Installation Design and Facility Operations Departments while monitoring compliance with building and OSHA safety regulations. This position will be expected to prepare cost estimates for renovations and complete inspections of all work performed by museum Carpenters and will schedule and oversee outside contractors to perform building repairs.

Specifically, you will:

• Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Facilities Project Manager and Installation Design Department regarding carpentry projects, capital improvements, maintenance needs, and special exhibition construction.
• Plan, procure, and manage project resources, including preparation of purchase order requisitions, tracking deliverables, maintaining inventory, and selecting appropriate tools, materials, and equipment for each project.
• Develop, schedule, and coordinate construction staff assignments to meet project timelines and operational priorities; monitor work progress daily and adjust resources as needed.
• Oversee all construction activities to ensure minimal disruption to museum operations and visitor experience, while maintaining strict protection standards for art collections and gallery environments.
• Evaluate work requests and project scopes to determine the most cost-effective solutions, balancing in-house workforce capabilities with outsourced services when appropriate.
• Prepare detailed exhibition and construction cost estimates based on design drawings, project specifications, meeting outcomes, and current labor and material costs, track budgets throughout project lifecycle.
• Ensure construction staff receive ongoing training in safety protocols, equipment operation, museum-specific procedures, and best practices for working in collection environments.
• Enforce compliance with applicable labor agreements and maintain productive relationships with union representatives and workforce personnel.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional coordination meetings, including Facilities Operations, building management, exhibition planning, and installation meetings.
• Manage external contractors and vendors, including scope review, bid evaluation, onboarding, and oversight of work to ensure quality, safety, and adherence to contract requirements.
• Conduct bi-weekly facility inspections to identify maintenance needs, safety risks, and capital improvement opportunities; initiate and track corrective actions.
• Review and approve staff timecards for accuracy, labor coding, and alignment with project budgets.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA 10 and 30 safety regulations standards and maintain required certifications.
• Implement and uphold museum standards for environmental controls, dust mitigation, vibration control, and security during construction activities.
• Maintain project documentation, including schedules, budgets, change orders, RFIs, and close-out reports.
• Support emergency response and recovery efforts related to facility or construction incidents affecting the building or collection.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Your background and experience include:

• Extensive experience in construction project management and supervision, including 10+ years leading teams and delivering projects on schedule.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team management skills, with the ability to effectively lead diverse teams in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate across departments, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, shop drawings, and specifications.
• Experience working in unionized environments.
• OSHA 10 certification required; OSHA 30 preferred, with strong knowledge of workplace safety regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project); experience with Ramp expense management system preferred.
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online store

Position and Compensation Details

• The salary for this position is $90,000.
• This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This position reports to Facilities Project Manager
• This position is required to be performed fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.
• Physical requirements:
  • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

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