Director of Facilities & Operations

Huntsville Botanical Garden•Huntsville, AL

15h

About The Position

The Director of Facilities & Operations provides strategic, operational and financial leadership for the Garden’s operations across its 118-acre site and facilities, excluding horticulture. This role is responsible for ensuring that the Garden’s physical environment is safe, reliable, accessible, sustainable, and visitor-ready at all times. Serves as the primary owner of campus operations and is accountable for integrating daily facilities management with capital project planning and execution. This role leads capital project coordination and delivery while protecting the visitor experience, staff effectiveness, and long-term asset health. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Operations, the Director of Facilities & Operations translates institutional strategy into consistent operational performance and provides leadership during periods of growth, construction, and change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in facilities management, engineering, construction management, operations, or a related field along with a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in operations or facilities leadership or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience managing complex campuses or multi-building facilities
Experience leading capital projects or major renovations
Supervisory experience managing managers and cross-functional teams
Strong financial, organizational, and problem-solving skills
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.
Capital projects delivered on schedule and within approved budgets.
Stable and reliable campus operations during construction periods.
Reduced deferred maintenance and improved asset condition.
Low facilities-related visitor complaints.
Proactive identification and mitigation of operational and safety risks.
Strong cross-department collaboration and leadership credibility.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a public garden, museum, cultural institution, university, or large public-facing campus.
Experience supporting operations during active capital projects or major renovations.
Knowledge of sustainability practices related to facilities operations.
Certification in facilities management, safety, or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for all campus operations, including facilities, grounds, equipment, safety, security, sustainability, and facilities services.
Serve as the operational owner of the Garden’s 118-acre campus and facilities, excluding horticulture.
Lead planning, coordination, and execution of capital projects, renovations, and major infrastructure improvements.
Manage capital project schedules, budgets, scope, and contractor relationships in collaboration with Finance and Advancement as applicable.
Ensure projects are delivered while maintaining uninterrupted daily operations and positive visitor experiences.
Oversee preventive maintenance programs and reduce deferred maintenance through disciplined planning and execution.
Ensure operational readiness of all public-facing facilities to support visitation, programs, exhibitions, and events.
Supervise and support direct reports, providing coaching, performance management, and workforce planning.
Lead safety, emergency preparedness, and risk mitigation efforts across campus.
Oversee vendor and contract management to ensure quality, cost control, and alignment with Garden standards.
Partner with internal departments including Visitor Experience, Learning and Engagement, Advancement, and Horticulture to align operations with programmatic needs.
Track, analyze, and report operational and capital performance metrics to senior leadership.
Advance sustainability initiatives related to energy, water, waste, and climate resilience and performs other duties as assigned.