Director, Facilities

Summary

The Director, Facilities oversees the maintenance, operations, and management of buildings and grounds for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts’ three performing arts centers. This role extends beyond general facilities management to include specialized technical and operational support for live events, public assembly spaces, and venue-specific requirements across the campus. Reporting to the Vice President, Facilities, the Director manages budgets, supervises staff and external contractors, and develops preventative maintenance programs for both front-of-house and back-of-house spaces.

Essential Functions

• Facilities Operations and Maintenance: Oversee preventative maintenance, repairs, and daily operations for buildings, equipment, grounds, and venue infrastructure. Ensure core building systems—including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, fire suppression, and related systems—remain safe, reliable, and fully operational. Maintain front-of-house and back-of-house spaces to support public use, performances, rehearsals, education programs, and private rentals.
• Staff, Vendor, and Contractor Management: Hire, train, supervise, mentor, direct, and evaluate facilities staff, including maintenance and administrative personnel. Schedule and oversee external contractors for specialized work such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and fire suppression services. Negotiate and manage contracts with third-party vendors, contractors, and external service providers. Coordinate with unionized staff, including IATSE stagehands, as needed to support venue operations.
• Budget and Financial Management: Develop, prepare, and proactively manage departmental operating budgets. Support contract negotiations and purchasing decisions in alignment with budget goals and organizational priorities.
• Venue Operations and Event Support: Collaborate with all relevant departments to meet technical and operational needs for performances and events. Ensure backstage and production-support spaces are properly maintained, including lighting, plumbing, HVAC, dressing rooms, loading areas, and other event-critical areas. Provide appropriate facilities staffing for performances, rehearsals, educational initiatives, private rentals, and other scheduled activities. Remain available for emergency response, strategic consultation, and evening, weekend, or holiday support as dictated by the performance schedule. Partner with marketing, sales, programming, audience services, production, security and administrative teams to support event promotion, bookings, community engagement, and operational readiness.
• Safety, Compliance, and Specialized Systems: Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and safety standards, including OSHA, ADA, building codes, fire codes, and public assembly requirements. Support emergency preparedness and disaster recovery planning. Oversee specialized venue systems, including separate HVAC systems for house and stage areas, to maintain appropriate environmental conditions for audiences, performers, and staff. Apply knowledge of commercial kitchens, food and beverage operations, and dock management where applicable.
• Strategic Planning and Capital Projects: Coordinate with the Vice President of Facilities and Capital Director to support capital project completion, strategic planning and sustainable facility initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; extensive relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Five to ten or more years of facilities management experience required, with performing arts venue operations strongly preferred.
• At least three to four years of leadership or supervisory experience required.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, maintenance processes, safety standards, and code compliance.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Experience with work order systems, building automation systems, spreadsheets, budgetary tools, and facilities maintenance software aligned with organizational technology standards.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or Facility Management Professional (FMP) from IFMA are highly valued.

Working Conditions

Routine for office environment. The employee will be required to perform the essential functions of the job during evening and weekend concerts and/or events.

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly (POEA) bring together one of the world’s preeminent orchestras with the iconic venues that have anchored Philadelphia’s cultural life for nearly 170 years. As owner and operator of the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the programming partner for the historic Forrest Theatre, POEA serves as a cornerstone of the city’s artistic and civic identity, welcoming one million people annually to a vibrant constellation of stages across Center City. Representing both the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and a dynamic roster of resident partners and visiting artists, POEA presents more than one-thousand events annually that represent a wide range of programming, including Broadway, classical, comedy, theater, jazz, dance, and family presentations, reflecting and serving the breadth of the region’s communities. Through innovative programming, robust educational initiatives, deep commitment to diverse communities, and expanding digital platforms, POEA acts as a convenor and civic partner—bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and creating an expansive, inclusive future for the arts in Philadelphia and beyond.