Facilities Director

Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB's careers page.

About OPB

OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB's independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

The Opportunity

The Facilities Director is a hands-on leader responsible for the day-to-day operations, maintenance, security, and project management of OPB's facilities, ensuring safe, functional, compliant, and people-friendly spaces that support the organization's mission. The role oversees a four-person team, manages vendors and contractors, translates facility issues into clear scopes of work, coordinates repairs and projects across building systems and trades, and ensures work is completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to operations. The position partners with Technology and organizational leadership on infrastructure planning, risk management, emergency response, and prioritization, while providing clear communication to staff, vendors, and leadership. The role requires strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety, and building systems; experience with facilities projects, vendors, compliance, preventative maintenance, and energy management; and at least five years of progressively responsible facilities or operations experience, including two years of people leadership. This is primarily an onsite position involving occasional work in mechanical spaces, rooftops, and grounds, with limited travel and occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays required for emergencies or major projects.

Position Details

The Facilities Director is a hands-on, working manager responsible for day-to-day facilities operations, supervision of frontline services, and coordination of projects, vendors, and building systems. This role bridges strategic facilities leadership and on-the-ground execution.


The Facilities Director is accountable for translating observed issues and user-reported symptoms into clearly scoped work across multiple trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, life safety, security, etc.), managing projects through completion, and communicating clearly with staff, vendors, and leadership. The role combines operational judgment, technical fluency, project management, and people leadership.

This position leads Facilities and Security operations at an execution and delivery level, ensuring safe, functional, and people-friendly spaces that support OPB's mission, while partnering with Technology and organizational leadership on planning, prioritization, and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

40% Facilities Operations & Issue Translation

• Serve as the primary owner for facilities-related issues from intake through resolution.
• Diagnose building and systems issues at a functional level and translate symptoms into clearly articulated, vendor-ready scopes of work.
• Communicate effectively with electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, security vendors, and other trades to ensure accurate assessment and execution.
• Coordinate troubleshooting efforts involving multiple systems or vendors.
• Ensure facilities, life-safety, and security systems are operational, compliant, and well-maintained.

25% Project & Work Management

• Plan and manage facilities projects, including repairs, upgrades, space changes, and lifecycle replacements.
• Develop scopes, timelines, cost estimates, and sequencing for facilities work.
• Coordinate work to minimize operational disruption, particularly for content production and 24/7 operations.
• Track progress, risks, dependencies, and follow-ups through completion.
• Maintain documentation, drawings, service records, and institutional knowledge.

15% Vendor, Contract, and Security Oversight

• Manage day-to-day relationships with external vendors and contractors.
• Oversee contracted security services through the Contract Security Manager.
• Ensure work aligns with scope, safety standards, security requirements, and OPB expectations.
• Review work quality and approve completion.
• Support procurement, contract administration, and invoice review.

20% Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead and support a small, mixed-skill facilities and services team.
• Set priorities, assign work, and balance urgent, important, and planned tasks.
• Coach and develop direct reports; provide feedback, recognition, and performance management.
• Ensure staff understand their roles, goals, schedules, and expectations.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and inclusive team culture.

Communication, Coordination & Risk Management (Ongoing)

• Act as a clear point of contact for facilities and security matters.
• Communicate status, impacts, timelines, and trade-offs in plain language.
• Partner with Technology, Content, Security, Finance, and other teams on shared infrastructure and space needs.
• Support emergency response, incident resolution, and after-action follow-up.
• Contribute to organizational risk assessment related to life safety, security, building systems, and staff wellbeing.

Working Conditions

Onsite. This position requires presence at OPB facilities most of the time. Work occurs in office environments, mechanical spaces, rooftops, grounds, and occasional remote sites. Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required to support emergencies, outages, or major work.

Physical Demands: The physical demands of the job include some physical activity, including lifting up to 50 lbs and carrying up to 30 lbs. Work may occur in mechanical spaces, on rooftops, and on building grounds.

Travel: The Facilities Director is expected to travel a limited amount for the position. Occasional travel to remote sites may be required to support facilities and security needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises 4 employees. The level of supervision includes planning work, assigning work, approving work, coaching and developing staff, providing feedback and recognition, and preparing and signing performance reviews.


Required Education & Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities, operations, building systems, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two (2) years of people leadership experience.
• Hands on knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC systems, preventative maintenance and energy management.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects, vendors, and competing priorities.
• Experience with zoning, accessibility, and safety compliance.
• Valid drivers license is required.

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Working knowledge of commercial building systems and the ability to communicate effectively across multiple trades.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills in dynamic, real-world environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business systems.
• Ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Enthusiasm for OPB's mission.

Preferred Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience overseeing facilities operations in a multi-use or production environment.
• Experience working with contracted security services.
• Experience working with local building agencies and inspectors.
• Training in project management, facilities management, or related disciplines.

Additional Information

• This full time/part time, regular status/temporary position reports to the CTO / VP of Technology and is unrepresented and benefits eligible.
• The expected hiring range for this role is between $98,000-110,000 year: compensation will depend on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

How to Apply:

External Applicants: For application instructions, please visit OPB's careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter, and resume, and answer a few position-related questions. Once you click "submit" you cannot make changes to your application.

Internally Applicants: Login to ADP, go to Myself > Talent > Career Center > Facilities Manager

Applications are due on October 19, 2026 at 8:59pm Pacific Time

OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.