Director, Building Operations - Zeiterion Theatre : Job Details

Position Summary

The Director of Building Operations is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for the management, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of The Z's historic theater facility. The Z holds a 99-year ground lease of this city-owned facility. This role ensures the building is safe, fully operational, and welcoming to staff, artists, patrons, and community members. With a deep understanding of public assembly facility environments, the Director oversees all building systems—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety—while also leading capital planning, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and emergency preparedness.

In collaboration with Theater Operations, Production, and administrative teams, the Director ensures the appropriate staffing and support for all programming and events in multiple spaces in and outside of the building, aligned with the organization's commitment to accessibility, safety, and community service while preserving its long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership

· Develop and lead the overall building operations strategy, goals and impact, aligned with organizational goals and mission impact.

· Manage operating and capital budgets, forecasting short- and long-term infrastructure needs.

· Oversee emergency preparedness plans, safety drills, and incident response readiness.

· Lead with a collaborative, mission-aligned approach that prioritizes service to artists, audiences, and community.

· Represent the facility's operational priorities in organizational planning and cross-functional projects.

· Model transparency, communication, and shared decision-making across departments.

Building Systems & Maintenance

· Supervise daily maintenance of all areas of the building and grounds, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and functionality.

· Oversee the operation, repair, and replacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire/life safety, and security systems as well as equipment such as dishwashers, ice machine, popcorn machine, beer draft refrigeration system, refrigerators, laundry facilities, lifts, etc.

· Lead and track preventative maintenance schedules using industry best practices and software tools.

Vendor & Contract Management

· Manage contracts for outsourced services (e.g., janitorial, HVAC, elevator, security, pest control).

· Conduct vendor evaluations and performance reviews, ensuring quality, cost control, and SLA adherence.

· Negotiate and oversee service agreements within budgetary and strategic parameters.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Mitigation

· Ensure compliance with building codes, health, fire and life safety regulations, ADA, OSHA, and local permitting requirements.

· Act as the primary liaison with the City, fostering a cooperative relationship to ensure the building's operations align with the terms of the ground lease, municipal regulations, and public safety standards. Coordinate regularly with municipal departments, inspectors and officials.

· Maintain documentation for all inspections, incidents, and certifications.

· Lead crowd safety planning and place-of-assembly compliance in collaboration with Production and Theater Operations.

Supervision & Team Development

· Recruit, train, and supervise a team of facilities staff and contractors/vendors to support a busy schedule of live performances and events in multiple spaces in and out of the building with a focus on inclusion, shared leadership, and growth making.

· Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and excellence in service delivery.

· Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to build leadership capacity within the team.

Cross-Department Collaboration

· Partner with Theater Operations and Production teams to ensure seamless event execution and audience experience.

· Coordinate building readiness for performances, rentals, and special events.

· Align facility projects and scheduling with programming calendars and operational needs.