Director of Facilities

Little Island seeks a Director of Facilities to join the Park Operations department. The Director plays a critical role in ensuring Little Island’s physical assets, infrastructure and technology systems support both the day-to-day needs and long-term aspirations of the organization. Through strategic planning, resource management, and the successful delivery of operational, capital, and special projects, this role helps maintain an exceptional visitor experience, protect park assets, and address the evolving maintenance needs of a beautiful and dynamic public park.

Overseeing facilities management and administration, park information technology systems, and the execution of facilities projects, the Director develops and maintains the processes, systems, and documentation necessary for the efficient operation and long-term care of Little Island's architecturally distinctive, highly specialized park facilities and infrastructure. Working in close partnership with Park Operations, Artistic Programming, senior leadership and external partners the Director balances creative ambition with operational rigor, risk management, and fiscal responsibility to successfully deliver projects that advance organizational priorities. The Director also oversees the facilities budget and supports Park Operations through the negotiation, contracting, and management of vendors and service providers.

Through strategic leadership, the Director supports and develops a high-performing team, builds collaborative relationships across the organization, and ensures the department has the technical, operational, and administrative resources necessary to support Little Island's long-term success. The Director supervises the Facilities Supervisor and the Horticulture and Facilities Associate and reports to the Senior Director of Park Operations.

About Little Island

Little Island is a one-of-a-kind public park and performing arts destination located in Hudson River Park at 13th/14th St. Combining innovative architecture, exceptional landscape design, food and beverage offerings, and a vibrant calendar of live performance, we welcome New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy the park while developing a personal connection to art and nature.

Role Responsibilities

Facilities Management

• Lead the development, execution and continual improvement of a comprehensive maintenance program for the park, ensuring routine, preventive, and reactive maintenance is performed safely, efficiently, within budget, and with minimal operational disruption, meeting Little Island’s high operational standards.
• Maintain and continuously improve facilities’ documentation, reporting systems, work order tracking (UpKeep), the Facilities Maintenance Manual, and departmental files ensuring the department is generating data informed reporting and analysis on all park assets.
• Manage the Park’s IT infrastructure and technology resources, partnering with the Director of Business Affairs and Capital Planning, Park Operations, Production, and the external IT vendor to ensure systems are maintained and aligned with operational needs.
• Oversee and manage the external resources necessary to support Little Island facilities including identifying, negotiating, contracting, and managing the relationships with facilities vendors, consultants, and specialized technical experts to support operational requirements and supplement internal expertise when needed. Support other Park Operations functions including horticulture, security and general operations in this work as needed.
• Provide leadership during facilities-related emergencies, coordinating internal staff, contractors, consultants, and external agencies as necessary to restore operations safely and efficiently.

Department and Organizational Leadership

• Develop the long-term departmental structure, staffing strategy, technical capabilities of, training and development systems for the Facilities team, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Park Operations to support Little Island’s physical infrastructure, operational, and capital needs.
• Hire, supervise and develop the Facilities Supervisor and the Horticulture and Facilities Associate setting clear performance expectations and supporting ongoing professional growth; fostering a collaborative, accountable and high performing team built on trust and respect that encourages open communication, continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Partner with the Park Operations leadership team, including the Director of Horticulture and Park Operations Manager, to establish park-wide operational standards and support staff training and team development initiatives.
• In collaboration with the Park Operations Manager and Facilities Supervisor, develop and maintain safety programs and standards for the Facilities team, and contribute to organization-wide safety initiatives through active participation in the Safety Working Group.
• Participate in the Park Management Collaboration Working Group to integrate Facilities operations across park activities and support the stewardship and safe operation of all park spaces through shared leadership and effective coordination.
• Lead through coaching, partnership and influence, building strong cross-functional relationships and leveraging the expertise of team members, colleagues, and external partners.

Project Management

Oversee and/or manage complex maintenance repairs and special projects, partnering with department heads as needed. Depending on the scope and scale of the project, project management includes:

• Discovery phase of projects and potential need for initial bids and budget estimates.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, schedule, and budget; secure necessary approvals; and ensure alignment with long-term organizational priorities.
• Manage bids, contracts, and vendor/contractor performance
• Track project budgets, forecast costs, monitor alignment with financial plans, and ensure payments are processed, maintaining accurate records of all project documentation.
• Oversee construction schedules, coordinate internal teams and external contractors, resolve issues proactively, ensure permitting, inspections, and closeouts occur on schedule, and confirm projects are delivered according to approved standards, on time, and within budget.
• Provide regular project status updates, risks, and recommendations; maintain project dashboards and documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Identify future infrastructure risks and prioritize capital investments based on operational impact, asset condition, and organizational priorities partnering with the Director of Business Affairs and Capital Planning to ensure these are incorporated into long-term financial models.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual facility budget in partnership with the Senior Director of Park Operations.
• Develop, manage and track park project budgets including operational, capital and special projects in partnership with COO and departmental leadership.
• Develop staffing, consulting, and technical resource recommendations that align operational needs with long-term budget planning.

What You Bring

• 8+ years of progressive complex facilities management experience including managing teams and projects.
• Expertise in developing and managing facilities/maintenance workflows and systems, including digital work order platforms; experience with Upkeep preferred.
• A proven track record of successful facilities project management, overseeing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of work quality.
• Experience with vendor management, including contract negotiation and oversight.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with an understanding of team dynamics as well as leveraging and building skills.
• Proficient in budget preparation, development and management.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and compliance with regulations.
• A genuine interest in contributing to a culture of teamwork and excellence by collaborating and solving problems across departments.
• Ability to navigate an office environment, attend in-person meetings, stay in one position for 50% of the time, walk, use stairs, and perform tasks with hands, including typing.
• Comfort working outdoors for periods of time in various weather conditions (light rain, summer heat, direct sunlight).
• Eligibility to work in U.S.