Director of Facilities

Pacific Science Center•Seattle, WA

32d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Facilities is a key member of the PacSci leadership team and plays a strategic role in advancing the Science Center's mission: to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. This position provides vision, leadership, and oversight for all aspects of facilities management and maintenance, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and exceptional environment for guests and staff. The Director of Facilities is responsible for: Facilities Operations Management: Oversee day-to-day operations of Facilities, Custodial and Security teams to ensure safety, compliance, and efficient performance across the organization. Project & Technical Execution: Manage building maintenance, modernization, and repair projects, applying knowledge of historic building systems and regulatory requirements. Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Facilities, Custodial, and Security team that operates collaboratively and inclusively. Budget & Resource Management: Support fiscal stewardship by managing budgets, optimizing resources, and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and contractors. Strategic Support: Contribute to facilities planning, capital projects, and sustainability initiatives, providing recommendations to the VP of People, Culture and Facilities, to the Executive team and the CEO. Risk & Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety regulations, emergency preparedness plans, and organizational policies.

Requirements

Expertise in historic building systems, aging infrastructure, and modernization best practices.
Commitment to cultural stewardship and maintaining architectural integrity.
Knowledge of public procurement processes and ability to manage complex contract negotiations.
Ability to lead change management initiatives to balancing modernization with preservation.
Advanced knowledge of building codes, fire safety, ADA compliance, seismic standards, and energy regulations.
Ability to implement sustainability initiatives aligned with LEED, WELL, or similar standards.
Exceptional communication skills for engaging executives, boards, and non-technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to lead with integrity across multidisciplinary teams and build a culture of safety and accountability.
Demonstrated success in managing large-scale capital projects in operational environments.
High proficiency with MS Office Suite, SharePoint, and in CMMS and building automation systems.
Exceptional prioritization and decision-making under resource constraints.
8+ years of progressively responsible experience in facilities, property, or building services management, including at least 5 years in a people management role.
Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams within an inclusive, collaborative culture.
Successful completion of post offer, pre-employment background check.
Valid Washington State driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., IFMA CFM).
Experience managing historic or iconic facilities, including modernization and preservation projects.
Experience ensuring operational continuity during major renovation or construction in public-facing environments.
Experience collaborating with architects, city agencies, and preservation boards.
Familiarity with green building standards (LEED, WELL), sustainability practices and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.
Expertise in CMMS, Computerized Maintenance Management System and building automation systems.

Responsibilities

Oversee modernization and preservation of mid-century building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) while maintaining architectural integrity.
Ensure compliance with building, fire, seismic, ADA, and energy codes; navigate grandfathered conditions and variances.
Implement sustainability measures aligned with LEED, WELL, or similar standards, including building envelope improvements and energy conservation including lighting retrofits and water efficiency measures.
Utilize CMMS and building automation systems (BAS/BMS) to drive preventive maintenance and data-informed capital planning.
Recruit, mentor, and retain a diverse, high-performing Facilities team (3+ people), Custodial team (7+ people), Security team (7+ people) and Project Management team (1+ person)
Build and maintain a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Implement succession planning and cross-training to ensure operational resilience.
Develop and manage budgets for building maintenance and capital improvements
Negotiate contracts and oversee vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective, high-quality services.
Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for savings and efficiency.
Provide oversight for capital improvement projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
Manage project phasing to ensure operational continuity during renovations or construction.
Lead emergency preparedness planning and risk mitigation strategies.
Serve as a key liaison for insurance, compliance audits, and safety reviews.