Head of Engineering and Facilities
Head of Engineering and Facilities
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Job Description
MFAH seeks a handson senior facilities manager to take charge of all building maintenance and repair landscaping construction projects infrastructure HVAC electrical and mechanical systems and associated services provided across the museums main campus and other properties.
The visiting public diverse partner organizations and staff are heavy users of MFAH facilities on a 24/7 basis with the museums main campus functioning as a safe hospitality and patron services organization. The Engineering and Facilities team functions best when its important work is invisible to the public.
BACKGROUND
The Museum of Fine Arts Houstonfunctions as an integrated visual arts experience and is counted among North Americas largest museums.MFAHhaspermanent collectionsspanning more than 6000 years of history with 64000 works from six continents; a newly redeveloped main campus encompassing 14 acres in the heart of Houstons Museum District; and 300000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces. The museum also boasts a variety of horticultural features and visually stunning gardens fountains and outdoor exhibition areas; restaurants and artsthemed retail shops; a school classrooms lecture hall and research facilities; archives libraries and conservation facilities; administrative offices.
This role requires a person who is deeply familiar with the specific challenges of managing a fully renovated campus facility 14 acres) in the heart of an urban environment as well as offcampus properties in several locations 32 acres). Main campus buildings are themselves considered to be works of art and this sensibility informs the daily work of the Engineering & Facilities team. Physical features include:
The Caroline Wiess Law Building first opened in 1924 was designed by William Ward Watkin as an art exhibition space and expanded by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The Audrey Jones Beck Building designed by Rafael Moneo first opened in 2000 and features several galleries for changing exhibitions as well as permanent collections.
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Buildingis 183528 square feet overall and integrates with the adjacent Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden and the expanded Glassell School of Art as well as 53685 square feet of belowground parking on two levels.
Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Gardenwas designed by USborn artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi. The garden itself is a sculpture that unites the pathways between the Caroline Wiess Law Building and the Glassell School of Art.
Glassell School of Artwas founded in 1929 renamed in 1979 and has since been installed in enlarged quarters designed by Steven Holl Architects. The 80000 squarefoot building sits atop an extensive underground parking garage features a ramped amphitheater that leads up to a walkable rooftop garden and opens onto the sculpture garden.
Central Administration Building which opened in 1994 and was designed by Texas architect Carlos Jimenez houses many of the museums administrative functions.
The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation a 17000 squarefoot facility designed by Lake/Flato Architects houses studios laboratories and offices for the Museums conservators and scientists.
In addition to theSusan and Fayez S. Sarofim CampusMFAH includes:
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardenswhich functions as a historic house museum is located five miles from the main museum campus in an architecturally significant former home on 14 acres of formal gardens and woodland.
Rienziis a former residence located four miles from the main campus and situated on 4.4 acres in the Homewood Addition surrounded by Houstons River Oaks neighborhood.
Park 288 Storage Facilitysits on 14 acres 6 miles south of the Sarofim Campus. It includes a new 65000 squarefoot tiltwall storage building and several landscape facilities.
Houstonis one of Americas largest and most ethnically diverse cities by population and area and is an economic powerhouse with a strong arts ecosystem that attracts more than 7 million visitors to theMuseum Districtalone where MFAH is centered. The museum employs more than 663 permanent and temporary staff funded solely by MFAH with 400 docents supporting the educational mission and 1500 volunteers supporting a broad range of MFAH activities. The museum is in solid shape financially with an annual budget of approximately $70 million.
BASIC FUNCTION
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the Head of Engineering & Facilities will lead a diversely experienced staff of 65 permanent and temporary personnel. This leader will be responsible for an annual operating budget of about $7 million a capital expenditure budget of several million dollars and contractual relationships with a range of vendors and contractors. The Department regularly provides services to patrons particularly during events and periodically manages special construction projects and largescale capital upgrades.
Central to this leaders success will be:
A strong understanding of various maintenance crafts compliance requirements and applicable regulations as well as contracts and the terms & conditions governing the activities of contractors suppliers and vendors.
Exceptional project accounting procurement & management skills with an eye toward efficient use of personnel and other resources.
Skillful management of mixed teams composed of MFAH contactor and vendor personnel with different backgrounds types of technical expertise and sensitivity to the operating needs of a museum.
Graceful diplomacy and communication skills with an ability to hold all involved parties accountable to budgetary and time constraints while remaining focused on museum visitors and users.
This position also serves as a primary position responsible for all ADA and OSHA compliance.
PRIORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of Engineering & Facilities provides leadership vision direction and administration of the museums facilities maintenance grounds building safety and renovation projects and will be expected to:
Rapidly acclimate to the organization; thoroughly know the museums history culture workflows exhibitions programs events facilities and their use as well as the diverse communities served by and drawn to MFAHs main campus and other properties.
Provide immediate daytoday leadership and general direction for all inprocess and future facilities and maintenance services. The Head will be expected to immediately assess all aspects of building operations to ensure the safe efficient and economical operation of all museum properties buildings and equipment.
Hire and supervise a staff of building engineers building services assistants HVAC specialists electricians lighting technicians and administrative office staff in support of building operations and maintenance functions. In coordination with the Human Resources Department cultivate a high functioning team; assess and appropriately recognize the performance of individual team members; provide for team training.
Procure and oversee all outside contractors that help maintain the buildings and grounds of the various museum properties including the purchasing of goods and the letting of contracts as required. This includes negotiation of contract terms and monitoring compliance with and of all contracts to ensure that funds are used effectively and appropriately and that agreed outcomes are delivered on time and within budgetary constraints.
Develop policies procedures workflows systems budgets personnel plans and other administrative tools related to Engineering & Facilities management in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer.
Collaborate closely with the COO and with other departments to develop recommendations prioritize investments and anticipate future needs for facilities projects upgrades maintenance and equipment. The Head will prepare and update an Annual Engineering and Facilities Plan and manage the plans through an annual operating budget of about $7 million to maintain the various buildings grounds and vehicles under their direction.
Directly supervise and be accountable for the maintenance and installation of all electrical plumbing and mechanical equipment and lighting in the above buildings as well as the two physical plants that supply HVAC to the museum school and administration buildings. Oversee the purchase and/or lease and maintenance of museumowned vehicles.
Proactively advise the COO and other members of the museums executive team of existing and future building and grounds operations; attend staff meetings contractor meetings and walkthrough meetings for events construction or remodeling projects.
Work with contractors and staff to ensure compliance with museum standards and processes OSHA related safety and other accessibility standards (i.e. the Americans with Disabilities Act). Work with various state and city inspectors (i.e. boiler elevator plumbing fire) to ensure compliance with city and state codes; make sure MFAH has all required building boiler elevator and other permits and inspections and that all records are in good order and accessible.
Oversee record keeping and documentation for campus facilities including physical space inventory. Supervise staff that maintains updated plans blueprints and drawings. Maintain accurate records of building maintenance repairs restorations and new construction
Function as key representative of the organizations emergency preparations and disasterresponse team.
Attend professional development programs workshops and seminars to remain up to date on topics related to facilities management governmental codes rules regulations and other subjects related to campus operations.
EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS and CHARACTERISTICS
The ideal candidate will have the following:
Significant experience managing campus facilities of similar size and complexity. It would be advantageous to have experience in facilities that receive heavy use by a visiting public where patron visitor and guest services are integrated into the responsibility of all personnel.
A strong educational background is required which can come in the form of higher education degrees or other forms of advanced study. MFAH values continual improvement continuing education study of new methods and approaches and an ability to train others in new methods.
At least seven years of progressively responsible work experience managing large teams with a broad range of trades and a career that includes the handson experience required to understand the nuances involved in delivering effective building maintenance and construction projects. Proven ability to manage and work with a diverse group of personalities.
Excellent written and verbal communication and persuasion skills with the ability to present effectively internally and externally to those at the Board level peers contractors partners and subordinates as well as visitors donors oversight agencies and others in the community.
Outgoing and straightforward; one who shares information easily and respects the abilities of others; a critical thinker who can analyze data and capitalize on information. Someone who is wellorganized and deadlineoriented with exceptional attention to detail and followthrough; able to work both in structured and planned environments and in situations where rapid response and instant decisionmaking is required.
Emotionally mature and selfpossessed; patient and tactful with a sense of humor and the sensitivity to work with diverse personalities; persuasive and persistent in the pursuit of objectives set by the COO and the Executive Team.
For more information please contact:
Dennis Hanthorn
or
m/Oppenheim Executive Search
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
