Director of Facilities, Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University

Director of Facilities, Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University

Job Type
Full-time
Posting Date
January 15, 2019
Location of Position

Columbus, OH

Company Summary

For 144 years, The Ohio State University's campus in Columbus has been the stage for academic achievement and a laboratory for innovation. It's where friendships are forged. It's where rivalries and revelry are born.

The university's main campus is one of America's largest and most comprehensive. As Ohio's best and one of the nation's top-20 public universities, Ohio State is further recognized by a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center. As a land-grant university, Ohio State has a physical presence throughout the state, with campuses and research centers located around Ohio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Wexner Center for the Arts (Wex) is The Ohio State University’s (OSU) multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. The Director of Facilities is responsible for proactively ensuring the timely and meticulous care and preservation of the Wexner Center’s signature building, in turn ensuring the center’s ability to present the highest quality experience for artists, visitors, Wex staff and partners alike. The role includes facilities management and maintenance, building operations, custodial services, safety/emergency management planning, and project management pertaining to all aspects of the center’s facilities, including Mershon Auditorium. Serves as the primary liaison for facilities and operational issues with senior Wex management; OSU Facilities, Operations and Development (FOD); university and external facility users; and appropriate regulatory agencies.This role has primary responsibility for logistical, operational, and building systems management of an architecturally significant 100,000 sq. ft. multi-disciplinary arts center complex. Designed by Peter Eisenman, opened in 1989, the Wex building proper is comprised of 13,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, a flat floor black box performance space with configurable seating from 150-300 (or 500 standing capacity), a 295-seat film/video theater, a store, and a 90-seat cafe. In addition, the center administratively oversees and programs a 2,400-seat proscenium auditorium (Mershon, built in the 1950’s), to which the Wex is physically connected – all of which support a year-round schedule of more over 300 programs.

The Director of Facilities also has primary management responsibility for routine upkeep, maintenance and modernization, capital improvements, and facilities modifications, including managing and/or coordinating the efforts of external vendors or project teams engaged for various initiatives (including architects, engineers, contractors, inspectors, and other planning and design professionals). He/she also ensures the completion of projects within budget and on time.

This position is responsible for space utilization management and sourcing and procurement of furniture, fixtures, and equipment to support a staff of approximately 70 plus numerous part-time workers and interns; mail distribution and delivery; and maintaining onsite and offsite storage. Develops and manages a departmental budget of approximately $420,000.

Position Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; significant experience (5 years minimum) in managing highly public facilities, especially museum, cultural, and/or gallery facilities; health care; or class ‘A’ office; demonstrated knowledge of building management industry standards and practices, safety standards, and codes to operate facilities and manage projects; knowledge of facility equipment and major building systems, including plumbing, electrical, building envelope, HVAC/climate control and security systems; professional experience with capital projects and small construction management in excess of $2M, including knowledge of construction principles and regulations; demonstrated skill in interpreting construction documents such as bid contracts, general conditions, agreements, specifications and architectural drawings; proven skill in budget preparation and management, and cost control; ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects, programs and events with competing and conflicting deadlines, including monitoring work to ensure completion in a timely manner when there are interruptions, changing priorities, changes in workload, deadlines, and competing requirements; ability to conduct on-site inspections for quality control and maintenance needs; inspection to involve walking, standing, climbing, stooping, crouching and lifting; demonstrated skill in managing vendors, technical consultants, staff and projects, including organization of priorities, clear communication of expectations, training, development, and retention; demonstrated skill in communicating professionally and effectively with all levels of staff to respond to needs, determine priorities, and manage expectations; ability to interact effectively with Wex staff, university partners, vendors, consultants, donors and the public; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to write effective correspondence, project documentation, report comments and reviews, and briefing materials; strong communication skills to express, both orally and in writing, the mission of the Wex and the facility and functional needs of the Wex; ability to make oral group presentations to provide information; interpersonal skill in negotiating and exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions or solutions.

Required Experience
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The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.