Building Maintenance Manager

Building Maintenance Manager

The Building Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading the Garden's facilities maintenance and services operations, ensuring that buildings, mechanical systems, and associated infrastructure across its 118-acre campus remain safe, functional, reliable, and visitor-ready.

Reporting to the Director of Facilities & Operations, this position oversees Facilities Maintenance and Facilities Services personnel, including staff development, daily work assignments, maintenance planning, contractor relationships, and support for Garden events and programs. The manager exercises independent judgment in prioritizing work, coordinating resources, and resolving facility issues, including personally troubleshooting complex maintenance problems when necessary.

Working collaboratively with the Director, Manager of Site Operations, and other Garden departments, this position supports capital project execution and leads a responsive, service-oriented team dedicated to the Garden's operational success.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and manage facilities maintenance and services operations, including building systems, repairs, event support, and custodial services.
• Supervise Facilities Maintenance and Facilities Services personnel, including hiring, scheduling, performance management, discipline, training, and professional development.
• Develop team capabilities through coaching, technical training, and cross-training to improve performance, versatility, and operational readiness.
• Oversee work order administration, prioritizing and assigning maintenance requests alongside scheduled projects, events, and other operational needs.
• Ensure timely, high-quality completion of assigned work through staff guidance, troubleshooting, inspections, and direct technical assistance when necessary.
• Coordinate facilities services, including event setup, equipment deployment, departmental support, and volunteer activities.
• Manage custodial contractor relationships, monitor service quality, resolve deficiencies, and coordinate service improvements.
• Assess building maintenance needs, develop repair and maintenance plans, and maintain records of building systems, equipment, and completed work.
• Diagnose complex building system issues, direct internal repairs, and determine when specialized contractors or outside technical assistance are required.
• Oversee vendor and contractor relationships, including scope development, procurement, scheduling, work coordination, and verification of completed work.
• Manage assigned purchasing and operational expenditures, tracking costs and coordinating resource needs with the Director of Facilities & Operations.
• Lead execution of assigned facilities improvements and capital project activities, coordinating staff, contractors, schedules, and progress reporting.
• Collaborate with other Garden departments to identify operational needs, coordinate resources, and deliver responsive facilities support.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety and operational standards, address urgent facility needs, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in building maintenance, facilities management, construction, or related technical fields that includes demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff scheduling, performance management, training, and professional development. Relevant higher education may complement, but does not replace, the required practical experience.
• Broad practical knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and general maintenance, with the ability to troubleshoot and perform repairs when necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate contractors, prioritize competing operational needs, and communicate effectively with staff, vendors, and other departments.
• Valid driver's license, subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review.

Success Factors:

• Develops a motivated, accountable team capable of working independently.
• Exercises sound judgment in prioritizing work and allocating resources.
• Provides responsive, reliable support and clear communication to other departments.
• Improves the appearance, functionality, and reliability of Garden facilities.
• Proactively identifies maintenance needs and develops practical solutions.
• Executes assigned projects on schedule and to high quality standards.
• Collaborates closely with the Manager of Site Operations to ensure unified team leadership.
• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Garden's mission of connecting people with plants with a genuine passion that also embraces and exemplifies the Garden's core values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a public garden, museum, cultural institution, university, or multi-building campus
• Broad technical experience across multiple building maintenance trades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and general construction.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing employees, and communicating effectively across departments.
• Professional credentials such as CFM, FMP, HVAC or trade certifications, electrical or plumbing licenses, or OSHA 10/30 training.
• Experience managing service contracts, coordinating vendors, and improving maintenance procedures and departmental operations.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order administration, and maintenance documentation.
• Experience supporting construction or renovation projects in a complex, public-facing campus, public garden, museum, cultural institution, or university environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical Demands: Requires occasional walking across the campus over varied terrain, climbing stairs, and accessing mechanical spaces. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects up to 40 pounds. Occasional travel by vehicles across the 118 acre complex and off site travel. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in a combination of office, outdoor, and facilities environments. The role requires regular presence on campus, including exposure to weather conditions and construction environments.
• Equipment: General office equipment, two-way radio, multiple types of vehicles, basic hand power tools.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize essential functions and responsibilities of a job and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden job descriptions are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.